My religious practices include The Beautiful Names of Allah. My inbox held an additional treasure; a Yaqyeen Institute blog T’he Significance of Allah’s name of al-Aziz: The Most Powerful and Dignified,
The Introduction discusses the power and use of the names.
“Although Muslims often overlook the significance of Allah’s ninety-nine magnificent names, viewing them as a mere song to be taught to children, there is in fact no greater subject of study than the names and attributes of Allah. Allah’s glorious names hold an incredible spiritual power; for it is through them that Allah reveals Himself to us and provides us with the opportunity to grow closer to Him.”
Further reading was most enlightening, an examination of the importance of understanding the interrelationship between the names.
“Reflecting on Allah’s design in his human creation can provide clarity on the uniqueness of Allah’s might. Many humans possess the attributes of mercy and kindness, but also lack strength, and therefore, can be taken advantage of. Likewise, powerful humans often manifest their power rashly and cruelly. However, this is not the case for Allah Almighty. His attributes are in perfect harmony. He is “the Most Kind (al-Ra’uf),” “the Almighty (al-Aziz),” “the Most Loving (al-Wadud),” and “the Subduer (al-Qahhar),” with no contradiction between any of these attributes.”
Understanding this was most helpful. I possess mercy and kindness but sometimes lack strength. It is at those moments that I am taken advantage of. Evil guys have it all figured out, come to think of it. First they meet someone possessing mercy and kindness- then do their very best to weaken you, make them dependent upon them. Now I see the pattern, the web they weave. ! Watch out world I am onto you. Sir Walter Scott (buried in Dryburgh
Abbey) “What a wicked web we weave when we practice to deceive.”
I am about to embark upon a difficult ‘journey’, with some misgivings. The blog provided a sorely needed reminder
“That is to say, it is precisely because of Allah’s might that He gives us agency, and has no need to take it away from us. Allah does not need you to fulfill His plan; you need Him to fulfill your plan.”
I need Him, not the other way around.
Overthinking is one of my well-established traits (spoke of it in a prior blog). One sentence in thisYaqueen Institute blog puts it in proper perspective.
“Therefore, as Muslims we should take relief in our Lord’s overwhelming might, while refraining from excessive delving into the details of predestination.”
Anyone with a drop of humanity suffers when observing the Gaza genocide. This paragraph soothed my soul.,
“It is easy to fall into grief given the many tragedies that befall us and those around us. However, as believers we are encouraged to stay strong with an understanding that nothing occurs except that Allah allows it to happen; and He is Most Praiseworthy. Our beloved Prophet ﷺ said, “The believer’s affair is wondrous. If something good happens they are thankful and that is good for them, and if something bad happens to them they are patient and that is good for them” (Sahih Muslim 2999).”
I have had bad things happen to me – all my life, and even most recently. It is essential to try and turn these around – see that there was a lesson, a benefit – something to justify the woe. One’s response to bad times is crucial.
“Taking this perspective causes a shift in how we view and relate to this worldly life. Therefore, the believers can confidently answer the question “Why do bad things happen to good people?” They don’t. At least not for the believer who can transform any circumstance into something positive by how they respond to it.”
Here is the link to the entire article. here
Switching to Secular
Recent blogs have ignored the wretched state of today’s world, focusing instead upon the hope and majesty of the Islamic Faith. I shall return to that topic but at the moment, with all the fuss about DNC, lets get back to the real world with the voice of reason, and some humor to sweeten the pot (Sweeten the pot means to make something more desirable.)
Martin Regg Cohn of The Star has an interesting perspective.
This week in politics Geta all the attention. But the week that wasn’t can also be noteworthy—even if not as newsworthy by editorial convention.”
The focus was the lack of news about protests, about solutions.
“Now, the demonization of Israelis, the demonization of Palestinians, and the oversimplification of the conflict is taking its toll on the public psyche. Just as combat fatigue has come to the Middle East, perhaps protest fatigue has invaded campuses across the continent —and the convention in Chicago. Here some other news that didn’t take place as predicted: Hammas and Israel failed to reach a long-sought ceasefire…
There’s another Middle East news story we didn’t read about this week: Iran’s threatened retaliatory attacks against Israel, echoed by its Lebanese proxy Hezbollah haven’t happened (so far)”.
The well written and well reasoned article ends in the following fashion:
“Why the hesitation about retaliation?”
The answer to that question is in the Quran. Very complicated, but it is a reenactment of prior times. Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it.’The quote is most likely due to writer and philosopher George Santayana, and in its original form it read, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”
This from bigthink.com
Santayana was known for aphorisms, and for being a professor in philosophy at Harvard which he abandoned. Prior to that, Santayana attended Boston Latin School and Harvard College, where he studied under the philosophers William James and Josiah Royce.According to Santayana’s philosophy, history repeats. The phrasing itself certainly is catchy. It’s a big one, not only because it is so common, but also because if it is true and if history, driven by human nature, is ugly (hint: it is), then this saying ought to guide our public and private policy.
There is some disagreement as to the origins of the phrase.
“And in a 1948 speech to the British House of Commons, Winston Churchill said, “Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” No matter the origin, the sentiments are eternal.”
It is human nature, that is how we were created. The Quran Chapter 87 1-3. “Glorify the Name of your Lord, the most High. 2. Who created and perfectly fashioned all. 3. And Who ordained precisely and inspired accordingly.”
Some people read the Quran, study history and reach an understanding, others do not. This is a frightening thought considering the information, not the misinformation, of those born after 1980. “A generation which ignores history has no past and no future.”
Soaring to Satire
I am now receiving lots of Andy Borowitz humor which must be shared. Inhabitants of any nation/ cultural would find this funny.
GLENDALE, ARIZONA (The Borowitz Report)—Robert F. Kennedy Jr. endorsed Donald J. Trump on Friday night in order to lend “much-needed sanity” to the GOP campaign, the former third-party candidate said.“You spend any amount of time with Trump and you realize he’s a whack job,” Kennedy told reporters. “I decided that somebody needed to tell him to get a grip.”Stating that he hoped to be “the voice of reason” in the Trump campaign, Kennedy ticked off a list of the Republican nominee’s obsessions that he called “just plain nuts.”“Windmills, sharks, Hannibal Lecter,” Kennedy said. “And why does he keep exaggerating about how big his crowds are? I would never lie about the size of my worm.”
I absolutely love the candor – Trump is a whack job – no doubt about that plus never lying about the size of my worm is hysterically funny.
Candor is a great expression. Its meaning: the quality of being open and honest in expression; frankness. Trump is indeed a whack job.
Speaking of Trump as a whack job is open, honest, truthful, forthright ,direct, plainspoken, and telling it like it is. Satire makes this possible. The antonyms of candor are guardedness, evasiveness and insincerity. All too often this describes both traditional and social media,
In my humble opinion, KSA would benefit from candor. Shall I write in a satirical fashion when returning to Makkah and Medinah? We shall see.
Sunday at Lexis Suites
Yesterday was a dynamite day. The breakfast buffet was bountiful, photographs of some selections will be featured. Chef King Ong has added tasty Western desserts to the menu. The pineapple crumble was exceptional. The best fried chicken in the whole world is made in-house – thus called Lexis Chicken. It has the best crunchy crust with a melange os spices. KFC chicken is tasteless compared to Lexis chicken.
Following breakfast went to the lobby expecting conversation with my growing family. They were totally busy, so chatted with guests about important matters such as the horrors of Malaysian Air. More about that later.
Armed with my computer was able to entertain myself writing. Found myself hungry, to my amazement discovered Omi Restaurant open. With great anticipation entered, only to find there were no tables. Complained vociferously to a powerful staff member. It worked like a charm. Found myself seated in private room at a large table over hole in the floor that hides your feet (it does have a name but I cannot think of it at the moment). Delicious delicies were brought – tiny pieces of grilled marinated salmon and other fish. It was nothing short of spectacularly yummy – I know sushi, once took a sushi cooking course as well as consuming sushi in hundreds of venues, including the Tokyo Fish Market.
Took two photos. A wall decoration and then a rather ethereal photo through a screened window. My iPhone rang, it was Amy inviting me for a much needed pedicure at Lex Spa.
Sent the photo of the collage to several friends with the following message;
Not in Japan but Penang. Miss Kyoto
One recipient understood the underlying message. I was not speaking of Kyoto, Japan (which I have visited). instead Kyoto Restaurant in the Medinah Oberio Hotel.
Made arrangements for an early in-room breakfast because I was going to fast. Had an interesting ‘conversation’ with a fasting friend.
Me: I am fasting tomorrow, are you?
He: No.
Me: I will fast for you. Hahaha
He: emojis clapping and saying okay.
Early this morning remembered something I had read, fired off a message.
Me: Remembered that you can pay someone to fast for you. Just take it off the hotel bill. Hahaha
He: huge laughing emoji
Me: I love making you laugh.
Me: I was not expecting a response with our vast time differences. At five in the morning there was a knock on my door. A young man delivered my promised food exactly on time. Happy Fasting said he. He must have never fasted, it is not fun. Anyway, I just smiled and said thank you. People ask me what food is delivered. I respond: American food, I have a US passport.
People can be stupid sometimes.
I end on that truism
