Sunday, December 28, 2008

Be Not Grieved

Should you not gain your wants, my soul, then be not grieved;
But hasten to that banquet which your Lord’s bequeathed.

And when a thing for which you ask is slow to come,
Then know that often through delay are gifts received.

Find solace in privation and respect its due,
For only by contentment is the heart relieved.

And know that when the trials of life have rendered you
Despairing of all hope, and of all joy bereaved,

Then shake yourself and rouse yourself from heedlessness,
And make pure hope a meadow that you never leave.

Your Maker’s gifts take subtle and uncounted forms,
How fine the fabric of the world His hands have weaved.

The journey done, they came to the water of life,
And all the caravan drank deep, their thirst allieved.

Far be it from the host to leave them thirsty there,
His spring pour forth all generosity received.

My Lord, my trust in Your purpose is strong,
That trust is now my shield; I’m safe, and undeceived.

All those who hope for grace from You will feel Your rain;
Too generous are You to leave my branch unleaved.

May blessing rest upon the loved one, Muhammad,
Who’s been my means to high degrees since I believed.

He is my fortress and my handhold, to my soul,
Hold fast, and travel to a joy still unconceived.

Originally in Arabic by Ali bin Husayn al-Habshi

Friday, December 26, 2008

from Texas with Love

I am currently sitting in the lobby of a hotel in Houston, Texas. The reasons for which are quite muddled and confusing. There are Christmas songs playing quite loudly, while it's about 20 degrees outside and the trees are in full bloom. Seems rather awkward to me, but oh well.

I'm in the home state of George Dubya Bush. I brought some extra shoes with me in case.

So, the end of December arrives, which will leave me a year older (and a year wiser? probably not). This year has been filled with chunks of hard stuff for me, and moments of some sweetness as well. I think I was waiting for something that won't ever really come. I was waiting for assurance, absolute contentment and a deletion of all sadness. A little antidote for naivety was in order.

InshaAllah when I make it to Jannah, I will have those hopes fulfilled.

I'm not sure what the point of this post is...there probably isn't a point, similar to much of what I write and talk about.

Well, on to more grey hairs.

Saturday, December 13, 2008

The Donkey Sanctuary

Yes, folks. It exists. And it's not that I have anything against donkeys in particular, but it just sounds hilarious. The Donkey Sanctuary.

Phew. *wipes tear*

Monday, December 08, 2008

i'm alive

I just finished having a very interesting breakdown. Have 2 more papers, then I'll try to be back with nonsensical posts once again.