Archive for May, 2008

 

I am not endowed with the genious of Averroes or Imam Al-Ghazali. I am, however, not as stupid as George Bush or the neo-cons of the US of Amerika. On occassion I find myself grasping a fiqh issue so well that I am stunned that I grasped it as quick as I could. When I was taking philosophy class at the Uni last year, I had incredible epiphanies, so many in fact, that I once stayed after class debating the professor and a brown noser. I am not lying, by Allah , when I tell you that the professor and student conceded defeat. What was the issue you ask! I don’t remember! That is because my epiphanies occur suddenly. I will grasp an issue so well, and then, just as quick as I grasped it, I have forgotten its worth. I am not sure why my mind has these moments of “exhale”, but it may be because I have so much running through my mind. So many thoughts, so many debates.

On occassion my wife will be talking to me about a subject, and in the 5 minutes she has informed me of the issue at hand, I have worked it out, brought forth the evidences, and moved to the next topic, then come to my senses when my wife says ‘ were you even listening ! ‘.

I become overly frustrated with people who do not grasp topics that I grasped such a long time ago. Why is it that people do not read? Why do they not LISTEN to the fine points of a debate?

I know this is sounding rather conceited, arrogant even. It is not though. I admit there are many issues I can not grasp. Many I am overwhelmed by. A fine example of this is the dimension of time. For years now, I have attempted my utmost to understand the arguments set forth by the physicists, yet - my mind can not fully appreciate their claims.

I find myself impatient with idiots. Why should I have to repeat myself 10 times before they get it? Or why is that when the proofs clearly crush the argument of an opponent, they still cling to their baseless views? Ego? Maybe! Or, if I open my mind, maybe I will see that their argument is possibly stronger. Maybe, they are thinking it is I that am ’slow’ or idiotic.

Do I care though? No. For I am right, when I am right, and I am wrong when I am wrong. I, yes me, can determine when I am right or wrong! Or can I? What “checks and balances” are there to objectively allow me to self-determine whether or not I am right or wrong? Others’ views you say? Must I listen to such boobs? Save me the quarrel!

I recently came across an aayah that moved me. I have contemplated it for a few days now. It haunts me in my moments of silence. In fact, when I was at work, I could not get it off my mind.

Allah says,

???? ?????? ?? ???? ??? ??? ?????? ??? ???? ???? ????? ??? ???? ??? ???? ???????

“He granteth wisdom to whom He pleaseth; and he to whom wisdom is granted receiveth indeed a benefit overflowing; but none will grasp the Message but men of understanding.”

Mujaahid, the student of Ibn ‘Abbas, defines hikmah here as: “the Qur’an, Knowledge, and understanding [fiqh].”

Ibrahim An-Nakha’i states, “It is the knowing (ma’rifah) of the meaning of things, and understanding them.” [Tafsir Al-Baghawi]“He granteth wisdom to whom He pleaseth; and he to whom wisdom is granted receiveth indeed a benefit overflowing; but none will grasp the Message but men of understanding.”

Hikmah - wisdom. What is wisdom? The understanding of knowledge. To understand the texts, apply them in their proper context. Or is it? Some authorities say it refers  to nubuwwah - the cloak of prophethood. Oh how I wish it did not mean such in this verse. I want it to mean fiqh. I want it to be Allah telling us that He chooses who he wants to grant knowledge and understanding. It calms my anger towards idiots. I now simply look at them with sympathy. I truly feel sorry for people who “just don’t get it”. Its not entirely their faults they are so stupid. Allah made them that way for a reason, maybe to try those who are brighter with patience and tolerance. 

Or It is possible that I “just don’t get it”. My enemies from amongst the scum pseudo-salafis would certainly argue such, but we will leave them to their god of limbs and place. We will leave them to their religion of Pharoah! Oh God what idiots they are! How laced with tajsim is their da’wah, and they are so blind as to not see it. Or are they truly blind? Maybe, they fear the repercussions of apostating from such an idiotic creed. They fear friends, and peer pressure. I know several “salafis” who hesitate or are “closet” Asha’ris for fear of the consequences. Sincerity?

So Allah grants to whomever He wants “Hikmah”. Granted! Not earned! So no matter how many times you beat them up the head with the proof-stick, they will still be ignorant enough to reject such! Why? Because Allah did not grant them Hikmah.

So as the irhabis kidnap children, or bomb marketplaces, what do they not have?

A brother was barking the other day that Imam Al-Buti once said, “Fiqh before fikr (contemplation, etc).”

Fiqh - understanding. To understand the law, a pre-condition for acting. What is missing in this whole world of idiocy and tyranny? Hikmah! The understanding of knowledge. That is just my opinion though, and I could be wrong.

-Abul Layth

 

Lightning bolts appear above and around the Chaiten volcano as seen from Chana, some 30 kms (19 miles) north of the volcano, as it began its first eruption in thousands of years, in southern Chile May 2, 2008. Cases of electrical storms breaking out directly above erupting volcanoes are well documented, although scientists differ on what causes them. Picture taken May 2, 2008. REUTERS/Carlos Gutierrez (CHILE)

SubhanAllah! You have to click the picture.

It so happens that I am an Obama supporter. Now that either warrants a boastful Takfeeri smile from the Khariji SJers or an attack by some wacko Muslim Clinton supporter. While I was in London, I had attached to my jacket an OBAMA ‘O8 button that apparently warranted very interesting conversations from londoners. Some brazilian immigrant argued with me for an hour that it is impossible for a black man to win the presidency. Others argued that the white south would never vote for a black man.

This is my prediction on the upcoming election, but if you really want to see how it is going to go down you will need some visual aid to assist you in understanding my theory. Click here, then read on.

Goal: 270 Electoral Votes

Obama will unite the democratic party by choosing either Clinton as VP, or someone like Jim Webb. This means that he has 172 e. votes in the bag. - marked in dark blue on the map. The swing states, though they won’t be are a total of 80 Oregon - 7 :  Washington - 11 : Minn. - 10 : Wis: 10 etc…

totalling 252…

The big question is where does the extra 18 come from?

Check this out: Notice the red-striped states in the map. If Obama just won Ohio, with all the other states that went democrat last time, it would be over and he would win. What if he loses?

Florida? 27 e. votes! Probably not though.

I have another possible scenario! I think he will win New Mexico =5 votes. The last margin was by less than 1 percent. I think he could win Iowa as well. Why? This state put him in! Not only that, the youth have come out strong for him in the state. Iowans are anti NAFTA as well; a plus for Obama. It is very possible - and likely - he will win Iowa! That is 7 more = 12 … 6 more? Where does he get it?

Colorado! It went for him big in the democratic caucus. Not only that but Colorado is much more open minded and democratic friendly than Florida. They have a Democratic governor! They also are hosting the Democratic National Convention, which brings a huge boost to the morale of the party as well as the independent vote there in Colorado. Not to mention that they hate bush, and we all know MCcain is another bush.

So there it is! He wins by taking New Mexico, Colorado, and Iowa. Or he could just win Florida or Ohio, that simple!

There is, however, a snake in the grass. What if McCain wins the popular vote? What then? See, the following states have enacted a new voting platform:

Hawaii, Illinois, New Jersey, Maryland have enacted the National Popular vote bill, wherein the one who wins the popular vote, wins their electoral delegates. All of the states are Democratic states. So if such occurs, its over. Vermont and Maine have been added to that list. Remember that Bush/Cheney won the popular vote in the last election: http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0922901.html

Now. I have my doubts that the maps will be shaped like last time. I have a strong feeling that Louisiana will go democrat as they really hate the republicans right now. They even gave up a congressional seat to a democrat for the first time in a Loooong while.

Another state that could go Democrat is North Carolina. I have heard Obama supporters argue that their turnout rate was higher than expected and if they could win some more independent votes they could beat mc cain in North Carolina. In such a scenario, North Carolina would give up 15 votes. Needing only 3 more according to the plans above which could be a New Mexico or a Colorado or just one state to switch!

The Obama campaign has to get the vote out though. If they don’t they will lose hands down because of the states who have signed on to the popular vote bill.

That is my political theory.

 

 

 

Bill O’Reilly, the man who loves to pick on minorities and spin the truth, explodes on the set cussing poor set workers out and throwing a fit. I saw him go hysterical before, especially on Geraldo.

Continued

Salamu ‘Alaykum to all…

Yes, my dear readers, Keni - my African Grey - has grown to full-size. The only thing left is for his eyes to change color. Here are some pictures at approximately 4 months of age:

Continued

Things can get better. Nearly all things are possible if one seeks Allah ’s aid. Remember, it is through faith the pagan empires of old fell to the feet of a few poor ‘arabs screaming Allah ! I had a dream tonight that I was giving a khutbah, standing on the minbar, blasting Muslims for their cynicism towards life. Yes, I said, we are down! Not down in numbers for sure, but down in faith. Mountains we could move if we could only see reality for what it truly is. If we could only grasp the Real and abandon the frivolous pursuits of the mundane. If we could surpass childish playground mentalities of racism and prejudice, and cling to the message of the last Messenger.

 Hope, my dear brethren - as I continued the khutbah - is not a negative quality. It is a part of our eemaan. It is not just a vision imparted upon us from the great disciples of Muhammad, their followers, or even the legions of Mamlooks who defeated the invading pagans. It should run through us as love for Allah and his Rasul run through our veins. It should be ever constant.

Even when the chaos ensues at the end of time, and the hour arrives knocking at our door, our beloved Messenger told us “If the hour (as-saa’ah, i.e. the day of judgment) is established upon you and in your hand is a plant, if you are able, do not stand until you have planted it into the ground.”

Plant today brethren before it is to late! Make your garden now, not tomorrow! Have hope and Allah will grant you what you seek!