tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19765190005520610742024-03-05T23:09:13.951+00:00my ruminations .......Afshan Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08098811455797512291noreply@blogger.comBlogger66125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1976519000552061074.post-34328146377709271002023-08-29T08:17:00.008+01:002023-08-29T09:51:18.544+01:00The Ocean<p> Ocean, you’re black; ocean, you’re blue </p><p>You choose garments of many a hue</p><p>Ocean, you’re grey; ocean, you’re green</p><p>Moody? Playful? Wild? Or Mean? </p><p><br /></p><p>Lovingly gentle, you can lap at the shores </p><p>Or rage and storm with deafening roars</p><p>You can let mighty cruisers sail without sinking </p><p>Or swallow them whole - in an eye’s blinking</p><p><br /></p><p>Ocean, o ocean how soft is your touch</p><p>So silky so smooth so extravagantly plush </p><p>Yet sharp as a knife, huge caverns you carve</p><p>And bite off big boulders - you will not starve!</p><p><br /></p><p>Deep are your dungeons, and dark are your ways</p><p>Mysterious and awesome are your hidden pathways</p><p>Currents are your highways for migrating denizens </p><p>Hurtling along in search of new tenements </p><p> </p><p>Busy are your nooks and filled are your crannies </p><p>With mums, and dads and siblings and grannies</p><p>Of creature quite bright and of creatures quite pale</p><p>As large as a whale or as small as a snail</p><p><br /></p><p>Treasures you hide, no one knows what lies </p><p>In the folds of your gut, in the rise of your tides</p><p>Abundance of life forms survive in your waters </p><p>You are their world, you’re all that matters.</p><p><br /></p><p>O ocean, great ocean you are the key </p><p>To the evolution of life, to the making of me.</p><p>You source the clouds, you bring the rain</p><p>On mountains, deserts, woodlands and plains. </p><p><br /></p><p>Sleepy and lazy, you are almost benign </p><p>But alert: God’s agent, with a keen watchful eye</p><p>Witnessing man’s mad and mean machinations </p><p>You can turn in a flash, demand reparation</p><p><br /></p><p>A reminder that all arrogance must fall</p><p>A tsunami, you rise and devour it all.</p><p>Then roll on: it’s business as usual for you</p><p>While abased and humbled, man starts life anew.</p>Afshan Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08098811455797512291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1976519000552061074.post-50235493821141513302023-01-16T11:57:00.007+00:002023-01-17T13:55:19.374+00:00The River<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 108.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I - an ancient river - am old and wise<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 108.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt;">On-the-go always, in the hills I rise. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 108.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt;">My journey is long, as I tumble down hills <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 108.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt;">And into the oceans my water spills.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 108.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 108.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt;">When dark clouds gather and it rains<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 108.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I crawl over banks to flood my plains. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 108.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I bless all the fields with mineral-rich soil,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 108.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt;">So you can grow grain, without any toil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 108.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 108.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Having hurried down mountains, I stop to breathe<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 108.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Meandering and lazy as slow as I please.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 108.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I sprawl out and flatten, reflecting the sky<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 108.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The clouds and birds as they fly in the high.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 108.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 108.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The fishermen throw in their nets to catch<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 108.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Fish I am rich in, batch after batch.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 108.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Deep in my belly the brave divers find <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 108.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Pink and white pearls of every kind.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 108.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 108.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I - an ancient river - I am rich <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 108.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I have plenty of wealth and I like to give. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 108.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Water I give, and fresh fish to eat, <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 108.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I let you ride me: boat, canoe – fleet!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 108.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 108.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt;">But, you! O human, you! What have you done? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 108.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt;">You’ve used me and trashed me, spoilt all the fun.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><span style="height: 406px; left: 0px; margin-left: 24px; margin-top: 542px; mso-ignore: vglayout; position: absolute; width: 1046px; z-index: -1895825408;"><img alt="A drawing of a man canoeing on a river Stock Photo - Alamy" height="271" src="file:///C:/Users/CCLARK~1.319/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image002.jpg" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_1" width="697" /></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt;">You have taken my joy, now
I am filthy and grey,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 108.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Head low, I flow slow, with nothing to say</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 360.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Afshan Ali<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p></p>Afshan Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08098811455797512291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1976519000552061074.post-19318032304219429242019-07-24T14:05:00.002+01:002019-07-28T10:35:01.964+01:00The Summer of 2019 - Day 2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT8SI3gbO8U4bjNaQ8RniV2XXTWYYMIafEsDo46p0jrv_l7WpQym6bNdLJJB4dXX4BVJIBWFvA1NFB7fcYnS9-nCo8LCjvG2g7AvNkb84g0gQfS7ZW7dRx8GI_HZZvjewSG2yjCSoEElQ/s1600/5EDE4B6B-677D-47B0-8BD8-615F46363B1F.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT8SI3gbO8U4bjNaQ8RniV2XXTWYYMIafEsDo46p0jrv_l7WpQym6bNdLJJB4dXX4BVJIBWFvA1NFB7fcYnS9-nCo8LCjvG2g7AvNkb84g0gQfS7ZW7dRx8GI_HZZvjewSG2yjCSoEElQ/s320/5EDE4B6B-677D-47B0-8BD8-615F46363B1F.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We were up ripe and early. It had been a cold night with the wind making its own music on the the fragile plastic tent right up to the early hours. We did not brave the weather to see the sun rise, although it was a tempting prospect. As the day grew though, and it became warmer, we emerged, showered and breakfasted. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Mohammad slept on though :) while we </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">chilled. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4H_210hNFPijaNyO9WAz-mBStcVeWsyNZ53J4s99QpSx-Wu6D0-WfI65dmZiwSrOs9MrhZiiNc5NTnh1XVdjgfCHoyOBfurSxxMbSxcukzfU-ZCMc7CugzblFWmh2V5-g3LxCuVzcVWE/s1600/AD7D9BFA-0A8D-433B-BDAA-62E351305ABF.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4H_210hNFPijaNyO9WAz-mBStcVeWsyNZ53J4s99QpSx-Wu6D0-WfI65dmZiwSrOs9MrhZiiNc5NTnh1XVdjgfCHoyOBfurSxxMbSxcukzfU-ZCMc7CugzblFWmh2V5-g3LxCuVzcVWE/s320/AD7D9BFA-0A8D-433B-BDAA-62E351305ABF.jpeg" width="240" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was a lovely morning – all the discomfort of the night before were forgotten. I settled down to read my book – something I haven’t done in years, preferring to listen and watch most of the time.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Later, with breakfast done, Mo browsed, I read, and Insh and Mahdi went of on a trek - equipped with a bucket and a net - in search of a brook to study the bugs that lived in the water. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihXHRoJkYfeoeO1_9kCc4TASmsaNMJ2CXLkp14i9rjEmNTdRFSwit9duNr38fsp2W5gdAeWMARbJX5RFZgchS9XnZQyKGSQMO-M3k3iXpu-GEQXDjmdadlCVS8ZqAU-mGQzHo_Ega9T4E/s1600/30C8FA7D-889B-418B-83D7-4667B190BF66.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihXHRoJkYfeoeO1_9kCc4TASmsaNMJ2CXLkp14i9rjEmNTdRFSwit9duNr38fsp2W5gdAeWMARbJX5RFZgchS9XnZQyKGSQMO-M3k3iXpu-GEQXDjmdadlCVS8ZqAU-mGQzHo_Ega9T4E/s320/30C8FA7D-889B-418B-83D7-4667B190BF66.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhONdqnCJcRPyoU_bjSlDadF3DVUVW3A_907OAyYkQqlq7NTHLLDqUXPl3Dyr92pnoksUquH52_mYfw8bRSOj6e8kLEZPwPwUJcFMFUXRx6b0O-fUhOU1T-0Y1u2wp57nmSEfhALwc3rSs/s1600/C231AC2B-42B3-487B-85EC-E769CDF1C023.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1600" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhONdqnCJcRPyoU_bjSlDadF3DVUVW3A_907OAyYkQqlq7NTHLLDqUXPl3Dyr92pnoksUquH52_mYfw8bRSOj6e8kLEZPwPwUJcFMFUXRx6b0O-fUhOU1T-0Y1u2wp57nmSEfhALwc3rSs/s200/C231AC2B-42B3-487B-85EC-E769CDF1C023.jpeg" width="200" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">After the Prophet is an engrossing read - giving an interesting insight into how Islamic History appears from the outside - to a relatively unbiased writer - trying to understand what led to the unfolding of events that followed the death of the prophet. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPBNvwuCM2P9jwu-nWjIMHmThuqWDgmiIgE2kTWIrO_ilD56a8VWPZS-pxIkEpnJ3JQwiBI41naTXJejXilo9oBUa2dkG5gfLm6Sa91yMT8xjBd5f63MosYoKl9ztycZJFWHLDvejZk3A/s1600/84A60B9E-3F88-4B75-9CFA-D659B82137D0.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPBNvwuCM2P9jwu-nWjIMHmThuqWDgmiIgE2kTWIrO_ilD56a8VWPZS-pxIkEpnJ3JQwiBI41naTXJejXilo9oBUa2dkG5gfLm6Sa91yMT8xjBd5f63MosYoKl9ztycZJFWHLDvejZk3A/s320/84A60B9E-3F88-4B75-9CFA-D659B82137D0.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Mahdi is a tireless walker - he can go on and on, and now he was in his element - vigorous and energetic, in wellies, ready for any adventure that came his way. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The gentle breeze, the silence not disrupted by city noises, and the sun stealing th</span><span style="font-size: large;">rough the clouds to warming my skin every now and then - i spent some of my most idyllic moments. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Before we left the camp - Mahdi had some Mamu time. :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We left Upper Hurst Farm - in search of the elusive Ice-cream shop in Tagg Lane - the makers of the creamiest, most satisfyingly flavoursome ice cream ever. What makes a visit to this ice-cream parlour more exciting is that it is in the middle of no where. Surrounded by fields and grasslands in all directions - the Tagg Lane farm is a lone building, ordinary and small, something that you can drive by without even noticing it, unless, of course you are actually looking for it. And we - we always have our eyes peeled for it. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Surprisingly, Tagg Lane Ice-cream is quite popular, especially at this time of the year - particularly with bikers; and inevitably we meet a bunch of motor bike enthusiasts taking a break - ice-creaming here. The gleaming silver and black motor bikes and their riders in professional gear and helmets, lent an exciting ambience to the small parlour. Mahdi went off with Mamu to get his ice cream. </span><br />
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Afshan Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08098811455797512291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1976519000552061074.post-88329345359117627242019-07-24T10:42:00.000+01:002019-07-24T12:12:48.534+01:00THE SUMMER OF 2019<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Saturday – 20th July – we drove off at 8:51am – not early enough from Mohammad’s point of view - his target was 6:30! Fairly good from mine - considering that we’d been working through the week. Definitely better than Friday afternoon though, which Mo had been rooting for, for the past one week. Immediately after school, he said. I’ll pick you up at the gate and we drive off - pack up Thursday night and stack the car, he said. In the last week of school?! With innumerable things on the list of things to do?! It was an impossibility. Thankfully, he conceded. And we settled for 6:30am, Saturday morning. Alhamd.</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large; text-align: left;">Mohammad’s newly bought Land-rover was about to take us off on an often-dreamed-but-never-lived adventure – with just a vague idea of where we would be spending the next night and absolutely no idea of where our next breakfast would be. Quite exciting, really! TBH, we were heading off to Peak District... generally; but specifically... had no idea exactly where, once there. Over the past week Mo had been researching while Insha and I got on with our last week of school. And, thanks to Maulana Google, (christened by Sh Z) found a number of farms we could tent up in around Peak District. </span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">While, Insha, in the back seat, called around to find the ideal place, I settled down to enjoy myself. The weather was lovely, pleasantly warm, albeit cloudy. Honestly, just the way I like it. I don’t really care for too much sun and sweat – stops my mind from thinking rationally. The drive was relaxing, Mahdi was in his usual chirpy mood with his torrent of questions. In the background we had ABBA’s lilting tunes punctuated with Julie Andrews’ catchy and ever green songs from the Sound of Music to keep Mahdi entertained. </span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">Upper Hurst Farm – our final choice – was a small place packed with families in caravans and tents. We were high up, surrounded by rolling hills checkered with farms in different shades of green as far as the eye could see where the land met the white, overcast sky. The Skyline was spotted with brief patches of darker-green wooded areas – picture perfect.</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">It was steadily growing colder – for which we were not as prepared as we should have been – but the warmth of the novelty of the experience kept us cheery. Mahdi was thrilled to bits. Quite in his element. In a thin t-shirt and shorts, he insisted he was warm. They set up the wickets for a round of cricket as the wind literally threatened to carry away the tent! Mo made tea – we drank and watched. </span></div>
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Afshan Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08098811455797512291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1976519000552061074.post-27821061845167493112019-01-23T10:48:00.001+00:002023-10-17T12:48:05.647+01:00Surat Al Hijr 6 -11<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span dir="RTL" face=""arial" , sans-serif" lang="AR-SA" style="font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%;">بِسْمِ ٱللَّـهِ
ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيم<span style="background: rgb(247, 252, 227);">ِ</span></span></div>
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<span class="ayatext"><span style="font-family: "lucida calligraphy";">They
said, ‘O you, to whom the Reminder has been sent down, you are indeed crazy.</span></span><span class="ayanumber"><b><span style="color: #005500; font-family: "lucida calligraphy"; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">(</span></b></span><a href="http://tanzil.net/#trans/en.qarai/15:6"><b><span style="color: #005500; font-family: "lucida calligraphy"; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">6</span></b></a><span class="ayanumber"><b><span style="color: #005500; font-family: "lucida calligraphy"; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">)</span></b></span><span class="ayatext"><span style="font-family: "lucida calligraphy";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="ayatext"><span style="font-family: "lucida calligraphy";">Why
do you not bring us the angels should you be truthful?!’ </span></span><span class="ayanumber"><b><span style="color: #005500; font-family: "lucida calligraphy"; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">(</span></b></span><a href="http://tanzil.net/#trans/en.qarai/15:7"><b><span style="color: #005500; font-family: "lucida calligraphy"; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">7</span></b></a><span style="background: rgb(247, 252, 227);"> </span><span class="ayanumber"><b><span style="color: #005500; font-family: "lucida calligraphy"; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">)</span></b></span><span style="background: rgb(247, 252, 227);"> </span><span class="ayatext"><span style="font-family: "lucida calligraphy";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="ayatext"><span style="font-family: "lucida calligraphy";">We
do not send down the angels except with due reason, and then they will not be
granted any respite. </span></span><span class="ayanumber"><b><span style="color: #005500; font-family: "lucida calligraphy"; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">(</span></b></span><a href="http://tanzil.net/#trans/en.qarai/15:8"><b><span style="color: #005500; font-family: "lucida calligraphy"; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">8</span></b></a><span class="ayanumber"><b><span style="color: #005500; font-family: "lucida calligraphy"; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">)</span></b></span><span style="background: rgb(247, 252, 227);"> </span><span class="ayatext"><span style="font-family: "lucida calligraphy";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="ayatext"><span style="font-family: "lucida calligraphy";">Indeed
We have sent down the Reminder, and indeed We will preserve it. </span></span><span class="ayanumber"><b><span style="color: #005500; font-family: "lucida calligraphy"; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">(</span></b></span><a href="http://tanzil.net/#trans/en.qarai/15:9"><b><span style="color: #005500; font-family: "lucida calligraphy"; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">9</span></b></a><span class="ayanumber"><b><span style="color: #005500; font-family: "lucida calligraphy"; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">)</span></b></span><span class="ayatext"><span style="font-family: "lucida calligraphy";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="ayatext"><span style="font-family: "lucida calligraphy";">Certainly
We sent [apostles] before you to former communities, </span></span><span class="ayanumber"><b><span style="color: #005500; font-family: "lucida calligraphy"; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">(</span></b></span><a href="http://tanzil.net/#trans/en.qarai/15:10"><b><span style="color: #005500; font-family: "lucida calligraphy"; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">10</span></b></a><span class="ayanumber"><b><span style="color: #005500; font-family: "lucida calligraphy"; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">)</span></b></span><span style="background: rgb(247, 252, 227);"> </span><span class="ayatext"><span style="font-family: "lucida calligraphy";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="ayatext"><span style="font-family: "lucida calligraphy";">and
there did not come to them any apostle but that they used to deride him. </span></span><span class="ayanumber"><b><span style="color: #005500; font-family: "lucida calligraphy"; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">(</span></b></span><a href="http://tanzil.net/#trans/en.qarai/15:11"><b><span style="color: #005500; font-family: "lucida calligraphy"; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">11</span></b></a><span class="ayanumber"><b><span style="color: #005500; font-family: "lucida calligraphy"; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">)</span></b></span><span class="ayatext"><span style="font-family: "lucida calligraphy";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Qarai<br />
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Bismillahhir Rahmannir Raheem</div>
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<span class="ayatext"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Above ayats are quite explicit
in themselves – and what is obvious is: the basic mindset has not really changed.
We may be living in the computer age: flying supersonic jets, manufacturing
organs in factories and sky diving for thrills – but, the human beings have not
come very far in actually <b><u>‘knowing themselves’</u></b>. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="ayatext"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Who <i>are</i> we? <i>Why</i>
are we here? <i>Where</i> have we come from? <i>Where</i> are we going to? Is
there a <i>purpose</i> to life? <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></div>
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<span class="ayatext"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We are not really troubled by
any of these questions. And, even if they do occasionally appear on the screens
of our mind, we ‘change page’ and divert ourselves – there is too much
happening in our lives at present to be bothered – to be bothered about the
great eventuality – that all of us must die and return, perhaps to where we
came from. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that is a great shame. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="ayatext"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Prophets, over centuries have
tried to guide and educate, to cajole and coax man to think - but the human
race has always rebelled – been a non conformist, unfortunately, responding
only to the ‘rule of the whip’. We more easily obey a tyrant – the gentle
Warner has always been met with derision, disregard and disrespect.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="ayatext"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="ayatext"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It is important to acknowledge
that the Prophets were here only to nudge us in the right direction. Time and
time again, Allah (swt) says about the Prophets in the Quran that they are but <b><u>‘Warners’</u></b>.
They are here to educate and train us – if we allow them. It is not their
responsibility to ‘exercise the whip’. They are to show the way and leave it up
to man to <b>‘think’</b> and make the <b>right choices</b>. </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 138.8pt;"><span class="ayatext"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 138.8pt;"><span class="ayatext"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And, the mechanism for this is
already implanted – all true knowledge is already embedded in our minds – we
only have to access it by using our ability to <b>‘think’</b> – to open <b>The Book of
Truth</b> and read. Man, to be fair, has been doing it – the clear proof being his
evolution from being a cave dweller to a space traveller. However, somewhere
along the line – progress in this world – which was really, only a means to an
end, has become the end in itself. We have <b><u>‘forgotten’</u></b> that we
are only travellers, journeying through this life on earth. There is a greater
mission we are on. We have come from somewhere and we will be going forward to
someplace else. </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 138.8pt;"><span class="ayatext"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 138.8pt;"><span class="ayatext"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Therefore, NOW, while we are alive, is the time to open up <b>‘The Book’</b> saved
in the folder our mind, and allow the truth to reveal itself. It is time to <b><u>‘remember’</u></b>.
Get off the high horse of heedlessness, liberate from the shackles of self
indulgence and use this <b><u>time</u> – the most precious wealth </b>– to recognise
that life in this world is an opportunity to get an <b>‘upgrade’</b> in the
greater scheme of things. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="ayatext"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="ayatext"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Subhanallah!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="ayatext"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Iltemase dua for the awakening
of the Human Intellect <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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Afshan Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08098811455797512291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1976519000552061074.post-78459731866324664562019-01-13T07:59:00.003+00:002023-10-17T12:58:04.657+01:00SURAT AL HIJR 1 - 5<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span dir="RTL" face=""Arial","sans-serif"" lang="AR-SA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">بِسْمِ اللَّـهِ
الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ</span><span style="font-size: 18pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="ayatext"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Alif, Lam, Ra. These are the signs
of the Book and a manifest Quran. </span></span><span class="ayanumber"><b><span style="color: #005500; font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">(</span></b></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://tanzil.net/#trans/en.qarai/15:1"><b><span style="color: #005500; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">1</span></b></a></span><span class="ayanumber"><b><span style="color: #005500; font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">)</span></b></span><span style="background: rgb(247, 252, 227); font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="ayatext"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Much will the faithless wish that
they had been Muslims. </span></span><span class="ayanumber"><b><span style="color: #005500; font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">(</span></b></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://tanzil.net/#trans/en.qarai/15:2"><b><span style="color: #005500; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">2</span></b></a></span><span class="ayanumber"><b><span style="color: #005500; font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">)</span></b></span><span style="background: rgb(247, 252, 227); font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="ayatext"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 12pt;">Leave
them to eat and enjoy and to be diverted by longings. Soon they will
know. </span></span><span class="ayanumber"><b><span style="color: #005500; font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">(</span></b></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://tanzil.net/#trans/en.qarai/15:3"><b><span style="color: #005500; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">3</span></b></a></span><span class="ayanumber"><b><span style="color: #005500; font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">)</span></b></span><span style="background: rgb(247, 252, 227); font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span class="ayatext"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="ayatext"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">We did not destroy any town but that
it had a known term. </span></span><span class="ayanumber"><b><span style="color: #005500; font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">(</span></b></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://tanzil.net/#trans/en.qarai/15:4"><b><span style="color: #005500; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">4</span></b></a></span><span class="ayanumber"><b><span style="color: #005500; font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">)</span></b></span><span style="background: rgb(247, 252, 227); font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="ayatext"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">No nation can advance its time nor
can it defer it. </span></span><b><span style="background: rgb(228, 238, 220); color: #005500; font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"> (</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://tanzil.net/#trans/en.qarai/15:5"><b><span style="background: rgb(228, 238, 220); color: #005500; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">5</span></b></a></span><b><span style="background: rgb(228, 238, 220); color: #005500; font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">)</span></b><span class="ayatext"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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_______________________<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Bismillah Hir
Rahmaan nir Raheem<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">When all is revealed, Inshallah, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>– there will be <b><u style="text-underline: wave;">regret</u></b> from the people who did not submit – those who rebelled,
unwilling to acknowledge the truth of the signs that have been sent down over
the centuries </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; text-indent: -18pt;">through the <b><u>teachings of the
Prophets</u></b>, and </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; text-indent: -18pt;"><b>through holy scriptures</b>, culminating
in the final words: the Holy Quran.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align: left; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">In this world there are numerous diversions – both in terms of <b><u style="text-underline: wave;">seeking sensual pleasures</u></b> (<i>pleasures for
eyes, ears, taste and touch)</i> <b><u style="text-underline: wave;">and desires</u></b>
<i>(longing for these pleasures – perhaps out of reach – yet there to be had)</i>
that preoccupy man. And there is opportunity to do both, Allah (swt) has given
everyone the time – albeit fixed. And people have been given the power of <b><u style="text-underline: wave;">intellect</u></b> and <b><u style="text-underline: wave;">freedom of choice</u></b> on how to use this time. They are free to spend
<b><u style="text-underline: wave;">ALL</u></b> their time enjoying themselves
pandering to their whims and desires, wallowing in all the pleasures and
excitement this world can provide. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Soon enough though, they will find out for
themselves <i>(a moment of haq ul Yaqeen!). W</i>hen the truth about the purpose
of this life becomes evident – man will, inevitably, </span><b style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: -18pt;"><u style="text-underline: wave;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">accept</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: x-large; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi; text-indent: -18pt;"> that the <b><u style="text-underline: wave;">Quran is the book of Truth</u></b> and in it all
the signs have been manifest for people to take lessons from for centuries. He will</span><span style="font-family: "wingdings"; font-size: x-large; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR" style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: -18pt;"></span><b style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: -18pt;"><u style="text-underline: wave;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">acknowledge</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: x-large; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi; text-indent: -18pt;"> that nations
afore were given a <b><u style="text-underline: wave;">‘fixed time’</u></b> and
opportunity to prove themselves; <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and
this ‘time’, came to an end; and they were annihilated. He will </span><b style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: -18pt;"><u style="text-underline: wave;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">realise</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: x-large; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi; text-indent: -18pt;"> that no people
can extend their window of life on this earth beyond the <b>prescribed limit</b>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">And then will come the <b><u style="text-underline: wave;">REGRET.</u> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><u style="text-underline: wave;">REGRET</u></b><u style="text-underline: wave;"> </u>he cannot escape from. <b><u style="text-underline: wave;">REGRET</u></b> that is perpetual for eternity. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u style="text-underline: wave;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">If only, if only...</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">he had put his
time to better use. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">An extended discussion on time:<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">For example – people might think that science is extending its
boundaries and new medical advancement means that life’s tenure is extendable.
But that is man’s naivety – this ability to use science to rejuvenate himself
is also a part of this ‘term’ allowed to man – different peoples over centuries
have had different life expectancies, depending on the circumstances and the
environment they are living in. Therefore, yes, it is a matter of great pride
for man that he has used his intellect to an excellent advantage by speeding
his mental evolution; nevertheless, he must recognise that this ability itself
is only an <b><u style="text-underline: wave;">‘opportunity’</u></b> resulting
from the <b><u style="text-underline: wave;">‘intellect and freedom of choice’</u></b>
bestowed on him. He must also, if he is wise, recognise that this ‘progress’ <i>(that
is perhaps making him arrogant)</i> is also <b><u style="text-underline: wave;">‘terminal’</u></b>
and is subject to <b><u style="text-underline: wave;">‘fana’</u></b>. An
earthquake, a tsunami, a fire or even a computer virus can bring the progress
of this world to an absolute, perhaps irrevocable standstill. The One who has
given the opportunity – can take the opportunity away too. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Subhanallah! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><span style="font-size: large;">Iltemase dua for the awakening of the human intellect. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Afshan Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08098811455797512291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1976519000552061074.post-88572935581913380612017-10-25T08:00:00.001+01:002020-12-02T04:02:10.733+00:00The Peaceful Souls<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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As the setting sun said bye,<o:p></o:p></div>
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And shut his eyelids for the night, <o:p></o:p></div>
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'Salam!’ said the moon, ‘It’s time to rise!'<o:p></o:p></div>
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Called out to the stars, 'Lets fill the skies!'<o:p></o:p></div>
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'On an exciting adventure let us go<o:p></o:p></div>
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Cities and towns let's go explore!'<o:p></o:p></div>
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Off she sailed across the sky,<o:p></o:p></div>
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By low valleys and mountains high.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Silver she painted the roofs and trees<o:p></o:p></div>
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Silvery waves making silvery seas.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As she looked down on cities in sleep,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Towns and villages in slumbers deep;<o:p></o:p></div>
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All of a sudden from the edge of her eye,<o:p></o:p></div>
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A tiny gold light, in the distance she spied.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Who could be up at this late, late hour?<o:p></o:p></div>
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Over this window she paused to hover.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Two faces were shining, emanating light.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Two hands raised in prayer, a wonderful sight.<o:p></o:p></div>
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One face: a lady’s so peaceful and calm.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The other: a little boy, still by her arm.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The moon looked around this simple, small room<o:p></o:p></div>
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Two millstones, a stove, a mat and a broom<o:p></o:p></div>
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And nothing besides - the room was bare<o:p></o:p></div>
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Yet shining! She thought - rich beyond compare!<o:p></o:p></div>
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The moon waited - patient. She heard the lady say:<o:p></o:p></div>
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'God help my neighbours on each step of their way.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The hungry, the poor, the lonely, <span style="font-size: 11pt;">the needy</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><o:p></o:p></div>
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The traveller, the orphan, the sick and weary.<o:p></o:p></div>
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God, feed them and keep them all safe from harm’s way<o:p></o:p></div>
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God, ease their pain, I beseech you, I pray.'<o:p></o:p></div>
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A beautiful prayer, thought the moon as it lingered<o:p></o:p></div>
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And heard the little boy, soft, as he whispered,<o:p></o:p></div>
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'What about us mum? Shall we pray for us?'<o:p></o:p></div>
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His mother smiled gently, 'Yes, let’s pray for us …<o:p></o:p></div>
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Now that we’ve asked God for peace on our neighbours<o:p></o:p></div>
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It is time to beseech Him for Mercy on ours.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Remember, it’s selfish to pray for ourselves<o:p></o:p></div>
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Before we seek God’s blessings for those around us.'<o:p></o:p></div>
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Faces lifted, hands rose, lips parted again<o:p></o:p></div>
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In prayer for self: ‘Allah, You hold the rein<o:p></o:p></div>
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Of life. Control our thought, action and speech;<o:p></o:p></div>
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Steer and direct our course so we reach -<o:p></o:p></div>
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You – O Fashioner, O Origin and Destination –<o:p></o:p></div>
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Perfected: forged, hammered, shaped - patient<o:p></o:p></div>
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Worthy, tranquil souls, at peace with Your Will.'<o:p></o:p></div>
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The moon tarried longer - curious and still.<o:p></o:p></div>
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'Who are these two graceful people?' she thought <o:p></o:p></div>
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Who've traded their sleep, seeking closeness to God?'<o:p></o:p></div>
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A passing star whispered: 'Fatima and Hasan.'<o:p></o:p></div>
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The Prophet's daughter and his little grandson.'<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘What a privilege it is,’ thought the moon in a daze<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘To witness this amazing moment of praise,<o:p></o:p></div>
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'May Allah's peace be on them.' star heard her say.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As once more on her journey she drifted away.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Afshan Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08098811455797512291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1976519000552061074.post-85968595670624097302017-10-25T06:38:00.001+01:002017-10-25T06:38:22.957+01:00Allah's Justice <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Allah's Justice </h2>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bismillah hir Rahman nir Raheem</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When it says in the Quran that Allah punishes
transgressors<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- it is referring to the
system of Justice that Allah (swt) has established. - This means that,
inevitably, when someone breaks a law, he deprives himself of his privileges -
which is his 'punishment'.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Forexample in 2:7 the Quran says: </span></div>
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<span class="ayatext"><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Allah has set a seal on their hearts and their hearing, and there
is a blindfold on their sight, and there is a great punishment for them.</span></i></span><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is Allah's (swt) system of Justice which is being
referred to - which states that a person who turns away from guidance, who is
not watchful of his own actions and who does not acknowledge that there is
accountability - he has blinded and deafened himself. Now he can't see truth or
justice even if you show it to him. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A drowning man comes up desperately for air ... that is, of
course, the one who has trained his body to swim. He will surface. What about
the one who has not? He will drown. This is the accepted law of life. Can
anyone question it? No. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Can anyone save him? An expert perhaps - someone who has
trained in the art of saving drowning people - can drag him by his hair and
pull him to the surface. Otherwise, it is a well known fact that if you are
trying to save a drowning man: keep your distance - or he will drag you down! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My question now is: Even this saviour, this expert who is
trained in the art of saving people - can he teach a drowning man to swim? No.
Even if he tries his best he will not be able to <b><i><u>teach</u></i></b> him
to swim. The decree will be: He should have learnt to swim when he could, when
he had the opportunity. Now, it is too late. Now, he is destined to be drowned.
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And who would you blame for his death? Who is responsible
for his situation? He himself. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Coming to the Ayat 2:7 then, if a man's heart is 'sealed',
it is because he did not open it up to guidance, if he is 'deaf' it is because
he did not train himself to hear things he ought to have; if there appears to
be a 'blindfold' on his eyes, it is because they are weak and have not been exercised
enough to be able to 'see'. Therefore, it is he who has deprived himself of privileges
granted to him. That is, undoubtedly, Allah's Justice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Finally, it is important to remember that, so long as you
are alive you have to work on preparing for the moment when you will have to be
able to 'swim' to be the survivor. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Iltemase dua</span></div>
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Afshan Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08098811455797512291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1976519000552061074.post-13041950495277289722017-10-25T06:15:00.002+01:002020-12-02T03:53:22.604+00:00Prophet Nuh (as)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "ar cena"; font-size: 28pt;">Prophet Nuh (as)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">A long time ago in a far away land </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">Lived a prophet named Nuh - a pious man.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">He was good, he was honest and truthful and fair</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">Prevented the town's folk from going astray.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">He spoke about Allah, his wonderful Lord<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">Who spread out the earth; who pegged in<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the rocks</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">Who made rivers flow through green valleys and
plain </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">And raised lofty mountains; brought down the rain. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">Who studded the sky with the sun and the stars<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">With Jupiter, Uranus, Mercury and Mars</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">The birds and the flowers, the animals and trees </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">The wild roaring typhoons and soft gentling breeze.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">The towns' folk, they mocked him, 'Be silent!' they
said.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">'We have our own cool gods, We love them!' they
said.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">Nuh, Allah's Prophet, tried hard day and night</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">To teach them good manners, to do what is right. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">Nine hundred and fifty long years - all in vain</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">Nuh Allah's prophet tried again and again. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">Do you think that they changed? No Sir, they did
not!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">They lied and they cheated, they killed and they
fought.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">Till Nuh, Allah's Prophet, had had quite enough</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">He raised his hands high and he call to his Lord: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">I've tried my very hardest, o my Lord, I complain </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">I have begged, I have pleaded - not one man will
change.</span><span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">'Stand firm, dearest Nuh,' said Allah, 'Have faith,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">There will soon come a flood that will swallow the
earth.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">It's time to prepare now, for the looming deluge</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">To build a huge ark; and in it take refuge. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">Nuh, Allah's Prophet said: Let's build an Ark! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">That is roomy and ready for us to embark</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">When ice caps are melting and rain pelting down </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">We'll be safe in our vessel - no one will drown!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">But the town's folk? they laughed. 'What do you
mean?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">Rain, did you say? There's not a cloud to be seen! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">And as for the fast melting icecaps you talk of -</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">The North pole and South pole are a bit too far
off!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">Nuh, Allah's Prophet was patient, he said:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">You have time. Think on it - while I plan ahead.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">He sowed in the seeds. He waited. He waited.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">Saplings soon grew into trees. He waited.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">He chopped down foliage; sawed planks. He waited. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">Made gables and rafters and floor boards - he
waited. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">''Let's build it! Time's flying!'' He waited. He
waited. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">''Is<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>there
any one at all who'll give me a hand?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">To build this huge ark and save all mankind???''</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">Few answered - the ones who were true and honest</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">They worked day and night until they had done it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">The ark! It was big; it was wide; it was layered </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">In the exact dimensions that Allah had ordered.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">Exhausted but pleased Nuh's friends slept that
night </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">And woke up next morning to an amazing sight!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">Surrounding the ship were stood big and small</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">Animals and birds: the tiny, the tall! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">Gophers and tigers and geese and flamingos </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">Beetles and bears, baboons and the rhinos!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">All two by two they marched in, they trundled </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">Into the ark, side by side they were bundled.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">At last Nuh and his few friends boarded the bark</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">The doors were shut tight and were bolted fast </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">The towns folk still laughed though - doubled with
mirth</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">At Nuh and his ark sitting silent on earth. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">Their laughter dried up soon, theirs smiles slowly
froze</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">When thunder rolled in, It RAINED! Waters rose.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">In panic they hurried, climbed mountains and trees </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">But the waters rose higher; lands turned to seas.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">Till all was submerged, and what could be seen </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">Was the wide ocean's surface - all blue, all green.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">Wait! What do you think happened to Nuh's big Ark?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">With its peacocks, and parrots and pigeons and
larks?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">It was safe! It was floating high up with the
waves!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">Nuh and his band of true friends had been saved!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">When it did stop raining and the water subsided </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">The ark stopped floating, it silently landed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">The sky once again was bright and blue </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">And the sun warmed the earth for fresh life anew.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">The gates were unbolted - left open wide </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>for the travellers
to step off the tumultuous ride.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">There was peace, there was joy in every heart </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">In high spirits - ready for a brand new start </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">They stretched, they crawled, they flew, they ran </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">Spread, built homes - The Divine Plan!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">Prophet Nuh and his followers prostrated low </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">Humbled, amazed; cries rang out in awe:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">'There's no god but Allah!' clamoured voices
devout.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">All Praise is for Him, Him alone - without doubt!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "gabriola"; font-size: 16pt;">Afshan Ali<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Afshan Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08098811455797512291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1976519000552061074.post-12818496793572192952017-02-24T13:21:00.000+00:002017-02-24T13:24:06.295+00:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Ya Allah!</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">You are far Greater </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">than my worship </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">can endeavour to praise.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Indeed, it is a privilege </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">to even be allowed </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">to prostrate before You. </span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
Afshan Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08098811455797512291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1976519000552061074.post-1174964801299158872017-01-27T09:03:00.001+00:002017-01-27T10:48:37.215+00:00The test<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">In my RE lesson last week, we were discussing the purpose of our creation - Why did Allah (swt)create us? was the question. There were various answers of which one was: He created us so he may test us. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">This was met with incredulity and disdain from one of the students who said: Why would Allah need to test us? Does he not know everything?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And an argument ensued. She was not convinced. I asked everyone to think about it and the lesson ended.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I started the next lesson with the following story...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "calibri";"><i><b>Once there was a teacher. She was a hard working woman. She loved
her job and enjoyed teaching her students. She wanted the best for them. She
wanted them to be successful in all their ventures. Therefore, she taught them
well and prepared them for life. She taught each one of them how to be a good
student, a good human being; she taught them to be disciplined, to differentiate
good from bad, right from wrong - in fact, she gave them in knowledge, everything
she knew. </b></i></span></div>
<i></i><b></b><span style="color: purple;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px;">
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "calibri";"><i><b>She had mentored her class for such a long time, she had
grown to love them all. She was familiar with each and every one of them and knew
them thoroughly well. She knew their likes and dislikes, their good moods and
bad moods, their strengths and weaknesses - she knew everything that was to
know about them. </b></i></span></div>
<i></i><b></b><span style="color: purple;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px;">
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "calibri";"><i><b>Soon their time with her came to an end. They had to move on
with their lives. They came to her and thanked her for all she had done for
them. Then they said: We have been with you for a very long time and you know
us very well. Please give us a testimonial - so we can show people where ever
we go what we have accomplished. </b></i></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: "calibri";"><i><b> </b></i></span></span></div>
<i></i><b></b><span style="color: purple;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px;">
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "calibri";"><i><b>She agreed. </b></i></span></div>
<i></i><b></b><span style="color: purple;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px;">
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "calibri";"><i><b>She proceeded to write a testimony of their abilities and
their accomplishments. She examined and reflected </b></i></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: "calibri";"><i><b> </b></i></span></span><span style="color: purple; font-family: "calibri";"><i><b>on each student - taking pains to be fair and
just as she recorded her assessment of them. After many a sleepless nights the testaments
were all done. Her students came to her and she gave them each their report. </b></i></span></div>
<i></i><b></b><span style="color: purple;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px;">
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "calibri";"><i><b>They settled down to read what had been put down on
paper</b></i></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: "calibri";"><i><b> </b></i></span></span><span style="color: purple; font-family: "calibri";"><i><b>- and very soon they were at her
door! </b></i></span></div>
<i></i><b></b><span style="color: purple;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px;">
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "calibri";"><i><b>'This is unfair!' they said. 'Our reports are all different!
You have not judged us equally well. What did you base your comments on? Where is the evidence ? We are disappointed in our results - and
will not accept them!'</b></i></span><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "calibri";"><i><b><br /></b></i></span>
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "calibri";"><i><b>'But I know you well.' said the teacher. 'I know exactly what you are capable of and what you are not capable of. What you are very good at and what you are not so good at. The result is based on what I know if you.'</b></i></span><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "calibri";"><i><b><br /></b></i></span>
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "calibri";"><i><b>'We can't see that!' said the students.</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">At this point I turned to my class - and ask them what advice they would give the teacher and how did they think the problem could be solved.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And sure enough, it was the very Miss Cheekyone who said: The teacher should have given them a test. How can she give them a report without testing them first!?.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I smiled, 'You see people need to be tested so there may be reason for reward or punishment!'</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
Afshan Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08098811455797512291noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1976519000552061074.post-52718953196095853192015-07-16T23:59:00.001+01:002015-07-16T23:59:28.379+01:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
O Allah! let the pain of awareness be more attractive to me
than the pleasures of escapism. </div>
</div>
Afshan Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08098811455797512291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1976519000552061074.post-24578391895528504442015-06-02T16:10:00.004+01:002015-07-17T01:02:58.721+01:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
O Allah!<br />
Let not my preoccupation with my 'self' side-track me from the fact that it is You who are the fulcrum of my existence. </div>
Afshan Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08098811455797512291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1976519000552061074.post-81181722740361159062014-01-31T20:25:00.002+00:002014-01-31T20:25:41.918+00:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Be patient with the present - it will soon be the past.</div>
Afshan Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08098811455797512291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1976519000552061074.post-3228326268180050272013-04-04T14:58:00.005+01:002013-04-05T19:54:10.953+01:0031st March - Masjid e Kufa<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Masjid e Kufa – it’s history left me in awe. And it’s future
prospects had me spellbound. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let me go back a little. Where Masjid e Kufa is today, was
where Prophet Noah built his ark. It is also the place where many prophets and
their successors lived and worshiped Allah (swt). I was thinking about this and
after a bit of contemplation it all makes sense. The Tigris and Euphrates are,
after all, the Mesopotamia – the cradle of civilization – the place where the
human race was evolving: man was changing into ‘food grower and settler’; he
was slowing becoming a thinker. And
therefore, being close to the Furaat, it is quite reasonable that this area was
the focus of visitation for all the Messengers of Allah who came to guide the
people of Mesopotamia, and ease the process of their ‘civilization’. And that makes the place quite historic; I
mean you are sat in a place, and thousands of years ago, to know that great
Prophets sat there contemplating, is quite humbling. And to pray where Hazrate Nooh prayed, or
where Hazrat e Ibrahim prayed, or our Prophet Mohammad (as) prayed (one of his
stops during Meraj) – I felt privileged.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Masjid e Kufa – the place from where Imam Ali ran the Muslim
Hukumat, is a grand building with a massive courtyard in the middle. All
reconstructed and beautiful with marble flooring that keeps your feet cool although
the sun is pouring down its heat in torrents. The ‘Dakkatul Qadha’, or Imam
Ali’s court room where he meted out justice; his maxim: ‘<b><i>Innallah yamuru bil adl e wal
ahsaan’</i></b> (Allah enjoins you to act with justice and goodness) was
printed bold and clear on its walls. This place, with an amazing past and an
even more remarkable future, is the place where the 12<sup>th</sup> Imam will
establish the hub of his Government. Incidentally it is one of the four places
where we do not have to read qasr namaz: we have the choice of reading the full
namaz. And why not? In a way, it is ‘home ground’ for every follower of the
Ahlulbait (as). Felt a deep sense of belonging. We did our full namaz there – it
was a home coming. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Masjid a Kufa – ‘fuzto be rabbil kaaba’ – the place Imam Ali
was martyred. The mehrab has been done up – glittering and pristine – quite at
odds with the austere simplicity of Imam Ali (as) life and lifestyle. I find it
a bit difficult to associate the grandeur with what we know of our maasoomeen.
I don’t know if I am being obtuse, but a true to life representations of all
the maqams would have been more helpful in giving us the feel of the space and
time. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Did my hadya salaat ….and just sat there ….re-living the
tragedy. Cried a lot ….the tears would not stop. I prayed that I acknowledge
the purpose of my tears – so it’s not only 'eye service'. That my tears were not
only to reflect grief but also make penitence - with purpose: to become an ‘insan’,
to remove from within me the petty flaws that keep me from being ‘civilised’. Incidentally,
in the lecture arranged at the hotel the speaker spoke of the conditions
required for a nation of people to be considered ‘civilised’. For eg: succumbing to anger, back biting,
mocking, ridiculing others, and telling
lies, even the little white ones that are so tantalisingly attractive, show a
lack of ‘civilisation’; and a people can never consider themselves worthy
unless they overcome these weaknesses. Inshallah, we will return cleansed of
any unworthy pretenses. Iltemase dua.</div>
</div>
Afshan Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08098811455797512291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1976519000552061074.post-27364192128270523032013-04-01T08:20:00.003+01:002013-04-05T19:58:56.116+01:0030th March - 2:33 (Najaf)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just came back – to the air conditioned hotel room – at the Qaser
al Dhiyafa – the hotel we are staying at. Sharing a room with Shamuna and
Fawzia. Ah, the comfort of a warm bed in a cool room. It is amazing how one
gets used to luxuries – and how intolerant, impatient and comfort-living we get
as we grow older. All the promises we make our Imam – of how we want to be on
his army – will we be able to keep them at all? After all the followers of the
Imam have to be ready to battle their own Karbala if they want to mean:
ajjilallah ho ta ‘ala faraja’. <br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Earlier on we were on the bus, journeying from Baghdad to
Najaf: a 4 to 5 hour journey which was getting a bit tedious for some of the
women; especially the older ones. They were tired, flustered and exhausted.
Plenty of ruffled feathers, arguments and accusations. It was funny how all the
good intention ‘ of self purification’ simply dissolved and disappeared.<br />
<br />
Little
mundane realities can cloud our mind to such an extent that we are distracted
from the ‘purpose’ of the journey; and instead of elevating ourselves we end up
getting caught in the mire we wanted to actually escape from! <br />
<br />
All through the last few weeks I had been so
emotionally charged – just the mention of the word Najaf or Karbala could
unleash the floodgates of tears: so enamoured was I with the idea of my
journey. I’d lived and re-lived a dozen times my forthcoming experiences: my
very first thoughts & feelings; my first words to the imams on entering the
raoza…. I thought this was going to be the experience that would change me. I
would return cleansed. And yet the relatively simple hardships of the journey
and just one sleepless night was enough to show me that to a great extent my
devotion is simply lip service. Not good enough really. </div>
</div>
Afshan Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08098811455797512291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1976519000552061074.post-22865363286648548662013-04-01T08:19:00.001+01:002013-04-01T08:19:23.058+01:0029th March 2013<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">On the
flight to Baghdad<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A sleepless night – the beginning of my journey. Last minute
‘pre-flight checks’ – ensure every last item has been packed. The issue with
the nail cutter – Mo had to trim his nails that very evening – and magic! the
nail cutter disappeared. I know now, that will be <i>the</i> thing I will need desperately – not the multitude of other
items I did manage to pack – I will end up not needing them at all. The nail
cutter though will be thoroughly missed. <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">L</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sana, Akbar & Ailia came to the Airport – nice. Mo left
early ‘cause he wasn’t too well. He had been coughing and sneezing since he
reached London earlier in the evening. And the car was heating up – mo wanted
to take his time on the way back. He wanted to leave – said khudahafiz to him
outside the Airport. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The heating in the Airport lounges was a welcome relief as
the doors closed behind us and we walked towards the check-in counters. It was
going to be a packed flight – the aisles were full of travellers - quite a few
hijabis – on their way to one of the many places of religious significance. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is the peculiar things about Muslims: every holiday - travel,
they must. Destination – you ask? Well, their goal and purpose is one and one
alone: their connection with the Almighty. Every holiday therefore is spent in
one of the holy lands where they are intent on the ‘purification of their
soul’. Pouring in their pounds into the travel industry – they travel to
destinations that are fixed and with a fixation. Mecca and Medina, Karbala, Najaf
and Mash-had – they inundate these cities in their millions. And not just once
or twice – a dozen times if they can.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today I am one of them – seeking solace. Destination
Karbala. Destination Najaf. Agenda a meeting with Imam Ali. A meeting with Imam
Hussain. An oath. A promise. To the Imam of our time – Imam Mehdi (ajtf). I
hope, like the millions – that I return more patient, more pious, more
penitent: purified.</div>
</div>
Afshan Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08098811455797512291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1976519000552061074.post-69655260431448527002012-08-22T12:11:00.002+01:002012-08-22T12:59:10.335+01:00On turning 24<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="yiv64266277MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">It’s time again to sing once more</span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv64266277MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The happy birthday song!</span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv64266277MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">To sing the old year out the door</span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv64266277MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">O new year - come along!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv64266277MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv64266277MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">It was today two score and four</span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv64266277MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Years down the mem’ry lane</span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv64266277MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">A little girl that I adore</span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv64266277MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Into my heart walked in.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv64266277MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv64266277MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">As time flew by and I grew old</span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv64266277MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">She? Oh she grew young!</span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv64266277MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">With eyes that laughed and lips that sang</span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv64266277MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">A song she first time sung!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv64266277MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv64266277MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">It was the merry tune of life</span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv64266277MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Set to the beat of time</span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv64266277MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">As nurs’ry days turned into school</span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv64266277MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Then uni days came by.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv64266277MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv64266277MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">From toddler to a child she grew</span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv64266277MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Then on to teenage years</span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv64266277MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Into a woman she has turned</span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv64266277MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Beat all the odds and fears.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv64266277MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv64266277MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Now bold and strong all poised for flight</span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv64266277MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">She stands with wings stretched wide</span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv64266277MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Eyes set on far and distant star</span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv64266277MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">She’s chuz on to abide.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv64266277MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv64266277MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">And I? I watch her preen with pride</span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv64266277MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I dare not even blink my eyes</span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv64266277MsoNoSpacing" id="yui_3_2_0_1_1345633648574109" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span id="yui_3_2_0_1_1345633648574106" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I fear I might just miss the sight</span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv64266277MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Of when she takes into the skies.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv64266277MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv64266277MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">O she must go, I know she must</span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv64266277MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">It’s time’s decree: what must, must be</span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv64266277MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">But I, ‘accustomed to her face’</span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv64266277MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Now find it hard to set her free.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv64266277MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
</div>
</div>
Afshan Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08098811455797512291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1976519000552061074.post-29146554496117615172012-08-17T19:12:00.000+01:002012-08-22T12:55:19.995+01:00Asif Bhai's Lament<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;" /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 14px;">Come summer my in-laws descend upon us</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 14px;">With baggage and bundles and rucksacks – no fuss.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 14px;">Their spouses and daughters and sons – et all</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 14px;">Pour in regardless: the big and the small.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 14px;">With smiles and sweet talk, appear cozy and warm</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 14px;">But strike like relentless waves in a storm</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 14px;">Chaos then reigns, things turn upside down</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 14px;">All rooms fill up with ear splitting sounds </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 14px;">There's laughing and chatting in each nook and corner</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 14px;">That grows louder as the night grows, upon my honour.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 14px;">A peaceful existence is the thing of the past </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 14px;">I now have to contend with a scream and a blast.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 14px;">Slippers lie strewn all over the floor </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 14px;">Don't they know they should leave them right by the door?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 14px;">I am the head of my household – there's no doubt about that</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 14px;">But my place at the table is taken by some cheeky brat!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 14px;">In despair I turn to my sanctuary – my newspaper nook</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 14px;">Only to find a niece or a nephew engrossed in a book.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 14px;">This year they've actually taken the cake </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 14px;">My room has been snatched, at night I'm awake.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 14px;">Here I lie flat and I stare at the ceiling </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 14px;">Swallowing the rage and the anger I'm feeling </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 14px;">I've been banished mercilessly from my very own door</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 14px;">Assigned no better place than the cold hard floor.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;">Afshan</span></span></div>
Afshan Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08098811455797512291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1976519000552061074.post-30724691283438092022012-01-14T08:54:00.003+00:002012-01-14T09:01:33.159+00:00I am lonely nowMy friend,<br />
I am lonely now<br />
Be sufficient for me<br />So I may never need.<br />
<br />
I am lonely now<br />
Occupy my heart <br />
So it is never vacant.<br />
<br />
I am lonely now<br />
Be my friend <br />
So I am never alone.<br />
<br />
I am lonely now<br />
I am hurting<br />
Be the solace of my aching heart.<br />
<br />
I am lonely now<br />
All have turned away<br />
Turn to me.<br />
<br />
I am lonely now<br />
My heart is grieving <br />
Hear me cry.<br />
<br />
I am lonely now<br />
Drowning in the tumults of the ocean storm<br />
Salvage me.<br />
<br />
I am lonely now<br />
Take over my life<br />
Abide in me.<br />
<br />Afshan Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08098811455797512291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1976519000552061074.post-18710172037760647562011-08-04T04:34:00.000+01:002011-08-04T04:35:35.835+01:00EyesBlind. <br />Eyes that look <br />but cannot see.<br />Blind. <br />Eyes that mock <br />Eyes that scorn<br />Eyes that disdain<br />Arrogant eyes<br />Eyes glazed - <br />outward looking <br />blinkered, blind eyes.<br />Eyes that do not see -<br />falsehood or honesty.<br />Lying eyes - <br />that mislead and confuse.<br />Eyes.<br /><br />Oh Allah, give me eyes<br />that can see.Afshan Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08098811455797512291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1976519000552061074.post-74188133658756515142011-08-04T04:27:00.003+01:002011-08-04T04:32:27.131+01:00RejuvenationI want to declutter my life<br />clean up and clear out <br />the spaces<br />in my heart and mind<br />of faces and events<br />of loves and hates <br />of anger and frustration<br />of chaos and confusion.<br />I want to switch off the noise<br />reverberating inside my head.<br />Noise - that is drowning <br />the sound of music<br />I'm yearning to hear. <br />Then I shall be in sync -<br />beating to Your rhythm.<br /><br />I want my solace from You<br />My advice from You<br />My joy from You<br />And My grief from You (in separation)<br />I want You to be my aim in life <br />You - my Journey <br />You - my Destination.<br />Only then will my life be worth having lived.<br /><br />Ambitious??? Daring????<br />A sinner like me - <br />Twisted, corrupted, <br />and distorted ?<br />Yes. I dare to dream.<br /><br />I am willing and ready <br />to be repaired and reconstructed. <br /><br />Pain??? Suffering????<br />Yes again. After all, it’s my rejuvenation.Afshan Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08098811455797512291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1976519000552061074.post-85407474259600014842011-08-04T03:51:00.003+01:002011-08-04T19:08:40.753+01:00The BetrayalI stand exposed <br />- in the public eye -<br />for everyone to see <br />and slander.<br />Betrayed.<br />I trusted the eyes <br />that looked at me -<br />and mistook hate <br />for anger.<br />I trusted the hand <br />that thrust<br />A knife in my gut -<br />As I'd trust <br />my own hand.<br /><br />Perhaps, blood is not thick enough.Afshan Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08098811455797512291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1976519000552061074.post-9166303556565405412011-07-08T07:42:00.001+01:002011-07-08T07:42:53.983+01:00The thinker speaks:Even the bravest of us cannot claim that he fears nothing in this world. However, if we chose to fear The Greatest, then no fear in this world could terrify us.Afshan Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08098811455797512291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1976519000552061074.post-44605157561500113742011-05-11T20:06:00.002+01:002011-05-11T20:10:42.337+01:00Full CircleIt is full circle – <br />The past has come back - <br /> to haunt the present.......<br />Justice must be done<br />Accounts must be settled.<br />Everyone must pay the price –<br /> be it bitter or sweet –<br />For past deeds. <br />No act is lost, you see <br />And now -<br />It has returned –<br /> to rankle. <br /><br />If you are wise<br />You will see:<br /> it is an opportunity <br />To right the wrongs.<br />Recognise: <br />IT’S TIME FOR RESTITUTION.<br /><br />This is the chance:<br />You must make up for your sins –<br /> the most abhorrent of all –<br /> sins against mankind – <br />Sins for which there is no redemption.<br /><br />It’s time to delve deep<br /> into memories folded and hidden<br /> in the recesses of your mind.<br />Cut open the wounds in your heart -<br /> that had healed (with time)<br />Let the blood squeeze out once more<br />And relive <br /> the pain of the past.<br />Pluck out archives of words and actions<br />Lay them all out on the table –<br /> (it’s a sorting game)<br />And set them right ........<br /> If you dare.Afshan Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08098811455797512291noreply@blogger.com1