The Cure to Intellectual Arrogance

When asked by a man how he was able to attain such good character Imam Shafi'i (may God be pleased with him) said, "Whenever I would hear my critics I always used to take their criticism seriously...I never debated with anyone except that I would ask God to reveal the truth on that person's tounge so that my ego could submit to it".

Ramadan Resolutions

1. Forgive and ask for forgiveness

Forgiving: I want to forgive all who have wronged me and I mean truly forgive without being able to extract their wrongdoings in my mind whenever I feel disappointed or angry with them. I want to forgive myself for my own short-comings enough so that I can move forward.
Being forgiven: Yesterday I hurt someone that I love very much and have been tormented with the guilt and regret of my words. I only pray that this person finds it in their heart to accept my sincere apology. However, there is a lesson to be learned through all trials and tribulations—I have learned that the act of true forgiveness is one of the hardest human acts to follow through on and truly asking for it is the meaning of repentance. May God forgive us all. I want to write a note, a plea, rather to all those whom I’ve ever known asking them to forgive me for anything I’ve ever done.

2. To know what I know not from that which I am able to learn

I used to strive to be a polymath (someone who knows copious amounts of information from almost all disciplines—a true “know-it-all”) but now I simply want to quench my thirst for knowledge and to never experience the cessation of desire to absorb more about the world and beyond. I want to learn more about this beautiful way of life and how to please the Creator of it.

3. Patience

This requires inhibition—an inhibition of irrational action in the midst of a fury of emotion. One of my greatest struggles. Patience=peace of mind. It is a prerequisite for the resolution above (#2).

3. Control my senses

It is utterly difficult but not an impossibility to monitor what we let our senses taste of the world. Everything sensory affects us spiritualyl whether we are cognisant of it or not. If we allow ourselves to view, listen to, taste and feel what God has forbidden then our souls will morph into a product of those experiences and before we know it we become beings foreign to our own expectations of ourselves. The essence of fasting is to supress one of our base urges to teach our souls restraint. Therefore, we must fight our base urges that often times serve only as distractions from our greater purpose in life. The first step towards this sensory liberation for me personally is to eradicate television and music with negative/mind-numbing messages, God willing.

4. Move towards greater compassion

I say “move towards” because the heart’s maturation and evolutions occur with understanding, experience, and inspiration. Compassion is a quality that one must approach to possess. It is within you but seen outside of you. This is a personal goal of mine because I know I must work on my own character and become the example of my visions for the world before I can take on the world. As the late Michael Jackson (may God have mercy on his soul) said: “if you wanna make the world a better place than look in the mirror and make a change”

5. Achieve greater God conscientiousness

This is everything from greater concentration in prayer and supplication to greater contemplation about the Glory of God in day-to-day life. Above all, I want to have sincerity within my concentration-contemplation struggle. Because without sincerity all is lost on empty promises.

This list is not a very comprehensive one but it is a summary of my top resolutions. I would encourage anyone celebrating this blessed month to make their own Ramadan resolution list, put it in writing and review it at the end of the month to see how you've grown spiritually from this beautiful oppurtunity for self-improvement. May Allah increase us in understanding and draw us near to Him during this beautiful month and all the months that follow, ameen.

A noble message: We Are Lasers

Bismillah..

Lupe Fiasco--a critically acclaimed Chicago-based muslim emcee and humanitarian--recently updated his website with a beautiful message that I think we should all heed. Lupe has not only changed the face of hip-hop, but continues to be an inspiration through his efforts to awaken our collective conscience by raising awareness about crises around the world . He urges his listeners to take social responsibility for the human condition and to be courageous enough to take action against oppressive forces. Quite the revolutionary. Hats off to Mr. Fiasco. May Allah reward him for his efforts.

"We are not losers, we are lasers"...it's a movement.

http://www.wearenotlosers.com/

*peep the link above to see what I'm talking about*

Trees

A POEM BY JOYCE KILMER (1886-1918)

I think that I shall never see
A poem as lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in Summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.



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This is one of my favorite poems. Simple and beautiful, yet potent with meaning. Its a much needed reminder to never oversee simplicity because there is much profundity in it to the attentive heart. The observation is more one of the soul, than of the eyes. May we all love and fear the Creator of trees.

Side note:

This reminds me...

There are many instances where I am compelled to stop and ponder about a creation (non-human) of God that I would usually take for granted...my most recent pondering was that of my pen--a tool of expression and power. One of the earliest forms of documentation was through this simple utencil we often take for granted in this fast-paced technologically advanced zeitgeist. And yet possessing the ability to use it has given us so much freedom.

"freedom is between the page and the pen"-Amir Sulaiman

...this subtle obeservation made me grateful.

In light of these ponderings...I have a challenge for you beloved reader: think about the last time you stopped and marvelled at a creation of God found in nature or something manufactured by the hands of man through God's will (that you normally would not have noticed)...What thoughts did it inspire? how were you moved by it? Please share :)

Peace&love

A Beautiful Quote...

"I used to beg for divine justice when examing (the actions of) others. But then I looked at my own soul and started asking for mercy" -Anonymous

...SubhanAllah.

For starters.....

In the name of God

And so I re-enter the world of blogging...

After the death of my last blog I've been reluctant (i.e. lazy) to revive my cyber presence.I plan to, God willing, use this blog as a means to share thoughts, insights, writings, and anything I deem worthy of feeding your mind if you so chose to tune into what I have to say. I aspire to inspire and be inspired...

Hopefully I'll post my first official meaningful post in the near future (inshaAllah).

Peace!