Tales of a Solitary Soul

And the end of reading week is upon us. How the time flew by and I didn't even do 10% of what I was expecting to accomplish. But then again, not point crying over spilt milk for there are still two and a half days left. I must say though, school is really starting to irritate me. Take a couple of days off to rest and the next thing you know, you're so far behind that you might as well not try.
At times like this, the life of a farmer or maybe even a sheppard doesn't seem all that bad. You graze the sheep, milk the cows, ponder and think, come home to family and have jolly simple routine. But, alas poor Yorick, here we are in the urban jungle, everyone fighting to survive.

I read an interesting article today. Its one of the most complete and accurate analysis that I've read of the so-called 'freethinkers' and the Islam-haters.

http://canada.mediamonitors.net/headlines/freethinkers_vs_islam_and_the_burden_of_proof

Now here is an excerpt from a book that I previously read but some of it really sticks out:

"A man begins his life as an insignificant mass, shrunk within himself in his mother's womb. At that stage, if he were given the power of reasoning, he would take the womb as his ultimate abode, and one which he would only leave under duress. If he were able to speak at that stage he would declare that leaving his mother's womb would mean dead and buried, in just the same way as we consider death and departure from this world. But it is also a process of birth, a shift from this world to another, which is more expansive and far removed form our life. It is the world of eternal life."

Some verses that can potentially keep people - or atleast me - up at night:

"And the Last Hour will occur all of a sudden....like the twinkling of an eye, or closer still..." (an-Nahl v:77)

"....and it will seem to thee that all mankind is drunk, although they will not be drunk - but vehement will be (their dread of) God's chastisement." (al-Hajj v:2)

"And the trumpet (signifying the Day of Judgement) will be sounded, and all that are in the heavens and all that are on earth will fall down senseless...." (az-Zumar v:68)

"And (then) the trumpet (of resurrection) will be blown - and lo! out of their graves towards their Sustainer will they all rush forth." (ya-seen v:51)

I start......but then I stop......I stutter and then I stumble........ and finally the sound manages to escape. Its the days before the video cameras were dime a dozen and the only way of storing memories is via a photo camera. The more innovative ones, like my mom, managed to record my voice on a tape as a reminder of times.

Contrary to my present condition, I wasn't much of a talker back when I was six. In the total twenty minutes of tape, I think I barely spoke a few sentences. I said a few things about some of my toys, about a friend of mine (of whom I have hazy memories), and interestingly said something about cricket.

And 14 years later, I sit before a computer writing down my own memories. Will these be also lost in the circle of life, only to be found decades later?????

We all carry a burden. Its the weight that differs from person to person. Some are willing to carry the load of the world on their shoulders while others are searching for ways to soar free as a bird.

But in the end, we will all be present together with our burdens. Some will stand on them victoriously while others would be crushed under the enormous weight. The triumphant would laugh for they knew this day would come while the losers had spent their time in childish games and play. Will they wake up and recognize the importance of the matter at hand or will they persist on soaring??

"They see the (Day) indeed as a far-off (event):
But We see it (quite) near.
The Day that the sky will be like molten brass,
And the mountains will be like wool, " (Maarij v:6-9)

"On that day you shall be exposed to view-- no secret of yours shall remain hidden" (al-haqqa v:18)

Its amazing how often we get caught up in the little things opting to forget the big picture. I, myself, have been guilty of so many times that I have lost count now. Sometimes we feel that one failed exam or one bad assignment has changed the course of our lives. In our search of greatness, we try to measure ourselves to that 'person with straight 4s' or 'that person with a lexus' or 'that person with a dream job.'

But the question that everybody eventually asks is what is greatness?

Some define is as the point in life where you realize that you cannot go any farther and declare that you have achieved it what you set out for. I tend to think of that as the cynical and pessimisstic view. But the question still stands.

To one person, being a surgeon epitomizes the definition while to the other its the impression you leave upon people with whom you meet just once or everyday. It was once said that 'some people are born with greatness, some achieve it while others have it thrust upon them.'

But then again the decisions we make define our life, which in the end we use to measure our 'greatness.'

If one believes in God, than a natural thought progression leads to a belief in life after death. Since no one in history has come back from it, from the great philosopher Aristotle who died 4000 years ago to Yasser Arafat whose death occured a mere few months before, the place they reside in now seems to be permanent. And whatever one thinks this place is, who ever goes there seems to be spending an 'eternity' (sorry for the bad pun) compared to 70 or 80 years that we might end up living.

Very few of us will be remembered thousands of years after we have died like Aristotle or Socrates, but what I just thought of right now is if either Aristotle or Socrates have achieved 'greatness' in the place where they are now. I wonder if they could come back and choose again, which 'greatness' would they opt for? A safe bet is they would choose the place where they have spent the last 4000+ years.

"And a soul will not die but with the permission of Allah the term is fixed; and whoever desires the reward of this world, I shall give him of it, and whoever desires the reward of the hereafter I shall give him of it, and I will reward the grateful." (al-Imran v:145)

" And this life of the world is nothing but a sport and a play; and as for the next abode, that most surely is the life-- did they but know!" (al-anqaboot v:64)

Once again, my computer has developed a mind of its own and gone on a strike. Correct me if I am wrong but weren't these computers suppose to be our obediant slaves??? Since when do they get to make their own decisions.

Roll the drums for the start of the midterms and the toughest week in the last twelve months. Sadly, the exams are on my mind no matter what I do. Sometimes during prayer, I'll start thinking of questions (but stop as soon as I realize what I am doing).

I'm also starting to feel a little sick. Now is not a good time at all (but then again, it might also serve as an excuse for bombing my exams -- just joking).

Finally, one of the last paragraphs from the Salahuddin book that really moved me. To provide background, he was on his deathbed:

"And then, according to legend, he called for his standard bearer, the man who had carried the banner of the Sultan in many of his great battles. "You, who have borne my banner in the wars, carry now the banner of my death. And let it be a vile rag which you shall bear through all Damascus upon a lance and proclaim, 'Lo at his death the King of the East could take nothing with him save this cloth only.'""

The MAC YOUTH GIVE event has been finalized to the One Tonne Challenge. This event seems a little different than the rest but I like it for its not your usual garden variety volunteer effort. Insha Allah the unique topic of the event will attract more people.

The reading week is almost here except for those pesky midterms are in the way. Its like the the Normandy Beach on D-Day where the allied forces had to pay a heavy price for taking the beach but once the mission was accomplished, it was a huge strategic advantage. Similarly, once the exams are over, tis clear sailing ahead!!!!!

The open halaqa started up in university last week. The response was amazing as we had over 15 brothers with not much advertisement. The speaker was amazing and engulfed us in the heroic life of Abu Bakr (a companion of the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him). One of the more memorable stories were:

Umar (another companion) and Abu Bakr used to compete for good deeds. Umar noticed that Abu Bakr (who was the ruler of the Islamic Empire at the time) used to go to a house on the edge of town early in the morning everyday. So one day, he followed Abu Bakr and waited for him to leave. Afterwards he went to inquire and found an old blind lady present. He asked her as to the reason of Abu Bakr's presence. The old lady replied that some man comes in the morning everyday to clean the house, wash the dishes, and make food for her but she was not sure who he was. She had been unaware that the KHALIFA of the muslims was the one who paid her a visit everyday.

Another late night seems to be in the making thanks to the countless number of assignments. Not to mention the midterms are a stone's throw away. I have four out of five midterms before the reading week. Most of the people like that because it means they get an easy break but what is the point of having an easy break if you do bad on the exams.

I read quite a disturbing article today. It was about a man who had been receiving threatening letters because he employed a worker who wore hijab. First it was just death threats in letters, and then a bullet was mailed to him. They never did find the culprit but it signals an unnerving trend. Though it was nice to see the government respond in a positive manner.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4223307.stm

Read another interesting article regrading the discovery of North America. Apparently one school of thought says that it was explored 71 years before Columbus by a Chinese Muslim explorer, Admiral Zheng He. There is a documentary being made on it to be telecasted on TV some time in the future. As for those of you surprised to hear of a Chinese Muslim, yes, there are about 20-25 million by unofficial estimates. If I recall correctly, Islam reached China by as early as 9th century through traders and explorers. Another interesting side note is that the oldest surviving book form of the Quran was found in China (approximated 8th-10th century) and is on display in a Chinese museum.

http://www.islamonline.org/English/News/2005-02/01/article07.shtml

I have also read accounts of the Vikings arriving in North America around the 10th century. The reason such a voyage did not receive recognition was because it was not a success and secondly, the European historians were never made aware of the 'NEW WORLD.'