Friday, February 25, 2005
The Urban Jungle
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)
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)
Faraz Ahmed 5:14 p.m.