Know, O beloved, that man was not created in jest or at random, but marvelously made and for some great end. ~ Al-Ghazzali

We live our lives with a train of endless stimuli striking the five senses. These, for the seeker do so much, and even more to remind one of the inevitable crossing. Although in all honesty comprehension is limited, since we the human race uses a tiny percentage of our hearts and minds to its fullest potential. The Holy Quran and the sayings (Hadith Shareef) of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s) give us so much to ponder upon and reflect…awaken the sleeping heart and feel … insisting to let our intellect come alive on a different altitude.

The images in this series are of things evident in our surrounding and are used metaphorically. They were inspired by single or a collection of words from the precious treasures that come from beyond. Frail human intellectual capacity can only try to understand the constant reminders of the inescapable journey. I do realize that my diminutive brain has not even scratched the surface and all this cannot really have a beginning or an end.

The Holy Quran :: Translation by Abdullah Yusuf Ali ::.

34. We have already sent down to you verses making things clear an illustration from (the story of) people who passed away before you and an admonition for those who fear (Allah).

35. Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The parable of His Light is as if there were a Niche and within it a lamp: the Lamp enclosed in Glass: the glass as it were a brilliant star: lit from a blessed Tree an Olive neither of the East nor of the West whose Oil is well-nigh luminous though fire scarce touched it: Light upon Light! Allah doth guide whom He will to His Light. Allah doth set forth Parables for men: and Allah doth know all things.

36. (Lit is such a light) in houses which Allah hath permitted to be raised to honor; for the celebration in them of His name: in them is He glorified in the mornings and in the evenings (again and again)

37. By men whom neither traffic nor merchandise can divert from the Remembrance of Allah nor from regular Prayer nor from the practice of regular Charity: their (only) fear is for the Day when hearts and eyes will be transformed (in a world wholly new)

38. That Allah may reward them according to the best of their deeds and add even more for them out of His Grace: for Allah doth provide for those whom He will without measure.

39. But the Unbelievers their deeds are like a mirage in sandy deserts which the man parched with thirst mistakes for water; until when he comes up to it he finds it to be nothing: but he finds Allah (ever) with him and Allah will pay him his account: and Allah is swift in taking account.

40. Or (the Unbelievers' state) is like the depths of darkness in a vast deep ocean overwhelmed with billow topped by billow topped by (dark) clouds: depths of darkness one above another: if a man stretches out his hand he can hardly see it! for any to whom Allah giveth not light there is no light!

41. Seest thou not that it is Allah Whose praises all beings in the heavens and on earth do celebrate and the birds (of the air) with wings outspread? Each one knows its own (mode of) prayer and praise. And Allah knows well all that they do.

42. Yea to Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth; and to Allah is the final goal (of all).

43. Seest thou not that Allah makes the clouds move gently then joins them together then makes them into a heap? then wilt thou see rain issue forth from their midst. And He sends down from the sky mountain masses (of clouds) wherein is hail: He strikes therewith whom He pleases and He turns it away fro whom He pleases. The vivid flash of His lightning well-nigh blinds the sight.

44. It is Allah Who alternates the Night and the Day: verily in these things is an instructive example for those who have vision!

45. And Allah has created every animal from water: of them there are some that creep on their bellies; some that walk on two legs; and some that walk on four. Allah creates what He wills: for verily Allah has power over all things.

46. We have indeed sent down Signs that make things manifest: and Allah guides whom He wills to a way that is straight.

~ The Holy Quran :: An-Nur 24:35-46

First Life :: Life Before Conception ::.

Life before Conception ... Forgotten spiritual times spent in the company of the beloved. The Holy Quran also tells us that all the souls of mankind were created before the creation of Adam and were asked to testify to the Lordship of Allah.

When your Lord drew forth from the loins of the children of Adam their descendants, and made them testify concerning them selves: ‘Am I not your Lord?’. They said, ‘Yes, we do testify.’ This lest you should say on the Day of Judgment: ‘We were not aware of this.’

~ The Holy Quran :: Surah Al A ’raaf v.172

Second Life :: dunya Earth - the lower world spheres - Flesh bound body that grows to love the perishable abode.
:: In the Womb :: Childhood :: Youth :: Maturity :: Seniority ::.

And thy Lord taught the Bee to build its cells in hills, on trees, and in (men's) habitations;
Then to eat of all the produce (of the earth), and find with skill the spacious paths of its Lord: there issues from within their bodies a drink of varying colors, wherein is healing for men: verily in this is a Sign for those who give thought.

~ The Holy Quran :: An-Nahl :: The Bee 16:68-69

Oh this eternal death ! this arena,
Life ! Shall the storm-filled universe never
Quieten ? Reason, fawning on idols,
Finds no deliverance : wisdom and folly
Bow before stocks and stones. How has man, once
Made in God's image, fallen so low ?
Must such a world on heart and on spirit
Hang its load still, or why does no daybreak
Come to dispel mankind's heavy night ?

~ The Earth :: Muhammad Allama Iqbal (1873-1938) “Poet of the East”

Amidst the Sea

Another accretion to the vast reminders of thee
A clam wraps me despite the restless sea
I am transfixed to the infinity I view ahead
Futile human in me trying to focus beyond
The silent veil of secrecy does me good
One could loose their mind in the eternity that's YOU
Dear sweet Lord these blessed eyes can never thank you enough
They can only wish for more ...amidst the sea.

~ fm

 

S.A.A.S. / S.A.W.S.

These letters are abbreviations for the words "Salla Allahu 'Alaihi Wa Sallam", which means : may the blessing and the peace of Allah be upon him. When the name of Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.S)
is mentioned, a Muslim is to respect him and invoke this statement of peace upon him.

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