In the name of Allah
July 16, 2006
Two fathers speak:
One father oversees his child play under a blue sky,
My son thrives in the presence of Allah
oh take delight in this moment!
Creator and Created
forever beautiful…
any second any outing any worship any moment any hell
The second father overlooks a hole blown into a street,
My son was ripped from this life
and flung into the shrapnel sky
his body became a constellation of flesh and blood
I will never forget the sight…
any second any outing any worship any moment any hell
2003/2006
qazse 
July 25, 2006 at 11:07 pm
BismillahirRahmanirRahim,
Alhamdulillah – Well written! I like your poetic style, and what you’ve said is nothing but truth. There is no suicide bombing to please Allah. It is a cowardly, act unfitting to any creation of Allah – and that is everything we can see and cannot see. I’ve linked you and will be coming back, Insh’Allah. Take Care,
Allah emanat ol,
Wa’Aleykum Salaam,
Haidar Ali
July 26, 2006 at 1:31 pm
Haidar,
Thank you for your kind remarks and the link.
I am from the Christian tradition, specifically Roman Catholic. I respect the spirtual quest of all peace loving people. It disturbs me that the focus between peoples is most often their differences rather than their similarities. Often these differences are based on the interpretations of men and are “settled” through violence. I think this is not Allah’s agenda.
I believe the quibbling over small points of belief keeps people from joining together and doing the work of God – which is loving your brother, neighbor, and enemy.
Peace
July 27, 2006 at 1:38 pm
Salaam Qazse,
Bismillahir-Rahman-nir-Rahim
In the name of God, Most Gracious and Compassionate, Most Merciful
How are you? I actually went to Catholic School most of my Life. My Sheykh, or Guide, tells me I should begin everything, every activity in life, with the aforementioned. No matter what I do, If I begin with this, then I will have direction and blessing from my Lord. Every chapter of the Qur’an opens with these two names – Rahman-(The Merciful) and Rahim-(The Compassionate). There are 99 names of Allah mentioned in the Qur’an (And we are taught – 99 unique ones each in the Injil (Bible) and Torah, respectively). But why open in the name of these two names *particularly* for 114 continuous chapters? There’s a secret there – so apparent to those with eyes. To embody these qualities in life toward others is the best ‘fundamentalism’. We are all culpable when we appear before Him, after we leave this world. The only thing we take with us from this life, are our deeds and our respect for the rights of others. Those who misinterpret the Qur’an, for selfish aims, would do well to really “Read” in the Name of their Lord, instead of ‘in the name of their Egos’.
In actuality there *IS* no difference. We are all sons and daughters of Adam. Our Lord made me, my parents, my children, as He did you and yours. To honor that, is to heed Him and be Thankful. Heh, my Sheykh says if you do nothing but Thank your Lord morning, noon, and night until you pass from this world, you will go as clean as a newborn.
Take Care Friend. May Allah bless you and your family, and forgive me.
– Haidar Ali
July 28, 2006 at 2:53 am
Salaam Haidar,
You are a gracious man.
I appreciate your insights.
Yes, to approach every encounter with mercy and compassion, and to be appreciative throughout life is a peaceful way to be. I believe certain Buddhists call it mindfulness.
I must ask you two things.
First, in the poem – is there any word or phrasing used by either father which would not be used by someone in their culture?
Second, have you looked at the rest of my site? Some of my stuff might be far from your beliefs and those of your community. The fact that we might have different points of view is not what concerns me. I am concerned that you may have linked to me from your very reverent (and beautiful) website without researching my sometimes irreverent (and beautiful) site fully. I would not want to see you criticized for doing so unless you were prepared for it. I am not ashamed of anything I have posted. Rather, I take pride in it. And I am very flattered you linked to me.
Peace Friend,
Herb
July 28, 2006 at 6:06 pm
BismillahirRamanirRahim,
Wa Aleykum Herb,
Hope this finds you well, by His grace. By and large, I enjoyed your writing throughout this site, and its style – and I hold no reservations in linking it. It is unique in it’s literary approach, and poetic style and I gravitate to the messages concealed within. The poems you allude to, which you think may cause offense, may indeed, but it would be a crime to judge you based wholly on it, and foolish to punish the intelligent body of work you’ve produced. This poem in particular drew me to the voice behind it, saying that ‘whoever wrote this realizes that it is a perversion to carry out oppression in His name’ – and it truly is, no matter who or what the vehicle. At the very heart of this poem, you’ve endeavored to peel the confusion, to reveal the kernel of truth within, and it is the voice of reason which says this. Reason and insight granted to us, of course, by Him. Please continue. We try to live for Him, and it is common to recieve all kinds of criticism in life. If it is well warranted, then we will correct ourselves with His permission, becoming better. If not, then we are patient, Insh’Allah. I’m keeping your link.
The only aspect,(and it is very gracious on your part, dear friend, to acknowledge and ask), which may cause some discomfort – is the anthropomorphization of Allah in the poem. We believe Allah has no equal, that He is in not in need of anyone or anything, but beyond need, and that we His servants, are in need of Him. Therefore, muslims refrain from allying human attributes with His beatific vision, such as ‘his hand’ or ‘his heart’. He is like nothing, and nothing is like Him.
However, having said this, I do not expect you to change the poem. You asked, therefore I am replying to your question, and the decency, empathy and brotherhood behind such a question shines through. Your gesture is a sincere one, Herb, and it is well recieved, Alhamdulillah(Thanks be to Allah).
I can convey my thoughts on this topic, as it is taught to me by my Sheykh, more thoroughly if you are interested. Through email? If you like. The comments section of your site may be crowded with my long-windedness, distracting from the poem itself. As I said, Herb, it is you who are the more gracious one, and I thank you for your sentiments, and for visiting my site.
This is a blessed month in Islam, the beginning of the month of Rajab. And it is a blessing to find one with your good nature in these times, on a platform as chaotic as the internet, conversing through a medium as unflattering as digital text. Be well, friend, and May Allah increase the Mercies for you and family this Month, and guide us all to His presence. My Sheykh says, the most honoured thing in this life and the next, is to be referred to as “a servant’, and to *be* a servant. He is the King. May we be worthy to carry the title of ‘His servant’. Ameen. For the sake of His beloveds.
If you like, we can continue through email. If not, then it has been a pleasure to read your poetry and to meet you.
Was’Salaam,
– Haidar Ali
July 29, 2006 at 1:46 am
Dear Haidar Ali,
Thank you for your kind remarks and forthright answer.
I have chosen to edit the poem so that it is as authentic as possible. If these men would not have made such statements then I do not want those statements in. The poem tells a story and the story needs to flow with believability.
Regarding our dialogue in the comment area, I think it is a very positive thing. A public dialogue; coming to hear another’s viewpoint. That is actually the beauty of the blog format. It allows the readers to respond and engage with the author and other readers. To me it is compelling. I am happy you took the care to explain your beliefs.
We are the better for it.
I do have one more question about authenticity. Would the second father have used the phrase “some sorry soul”? If not, what might he have said?
I want to thank you for helping me with these matters. I invite you to comment on anything at anytime at any length. I know it will always be civilized, articulate, and edifying.
I will post the poem as originally posted in the following comment below. This will give those who read our dialogue later a point of reference.
with best regards for a blessed Rajab,
Herb
July 29, 2006 at 2:13 am
This is the poem as originally posted. Here you can see the anthropomorphization of Allah in the poem. The antropomorphization was removed in order to lend authenticity to the poem.
Further, I believe we ought to be respectful of one anothers formulations of God. For example, some people have insured their career by besmirching the image and name of the prophet Jesus of Nazareth. I defend their right to do so but I personally find it sophomoric and counterproductive.
I sometimes may come close to it myself. In some of my remarks regarding the “cult of personality” as it applies to Catholicism’s focus on Jesus – I have said “they present Jesus as if he just won American Idol.” I am stating how I believe others misrepresent Jesus with hyperbole and superstardom. However, I would not be surprised if some found my statement offensive.
Here goes:
IN THE NAME OF ALLAH
Two fathers speak:
One father overlooks his child play under a blue sky,
My son holds the hand of Allah
oh take delight in this moment!
Creator and Created
forever beautiful…
any second any outing any celebration any moment any hell
The second father overlooks a hole blown into the street,
My son was ripped from the hand of Allah
and flung into the shrapnel sky
his body became a constellation of flesh and blood
I will never forget the sight,
his mother will never again feel the touch of his kiss upon her
proud face
GONE!
ALL GONE!
ONLY A HOLE IS LEFT …
Blown into oblivion! by some sorry soul who believes he was doing his Allah a favor,
he could be no further from the truth
no further from home
no further from the heart of Allah.
GONE! as I waved goodbye to his bus…
This father began to weep and fall to his knees.
any second any outing any celebration any moment any hell