Give attention to Detail

This culture of mediocrity that has seeped through our practices is an inevitable consequence of the culture of convenience.  That is a fundamental purpose of technology, no?  A fundamental purpose of technology is to provide convenience. 

Engage the Unknown

The unknown can make or break a believer’s faith. 

Speak with the Heart

Take a moment to make a prayer.  Take a moment to speak to the Divine.  But, do not use words.  Do not use images.  Do not use gestures.  If you have never done it, then it is probably difficult: I am telling you to use your heart, only.  Speak to the Divine using only your heart. 

Secular Nationalism, Spiritual Decline and Religious Imperialism

We are watching a global resurgence of religion, yet we are not witnessing a corresponding resurgence of spirituality.  Naturally, a resurgence of religion should indicated a resurgence of spirituality, no?  No.  Be we are surely witnessing another global realignment.

The passion of Franklin Graham and Pat Robertson

A piece I wrote a few years ago, reflecting my opinions on many Christians.

Regarding Suffering

This is a piece I wrote after the Tsunami that hit in December 2004. In light of the recent earthquake, it may be worth a new read.

Our suffering and our Creator; putting the Tsunami into perspective.

The Bizarre twists of our Nationalism

Nationalism — to be distinguished from patriotism — is one of the bizarre outlooks of our world. 

Umar Lee and Michael Muhammad Knight

The two are remarkably mirror images of each other.  How interesting is it, that one has taken the name of the Prophet, may peace be upon him, and the other has taken the name of one of the Prophet’s -p- closest companions (may God be pleased with him).  How interesting is it, that one has the name of a hero that many of us young boys had in the 1980s, and the other has the (last) name of a hero that many of young boys had in the 1970s.  I am telling you that these two are mirror images of each other.

Anwar al-Awlaki’s Death and the Edifice of Layered Speculations

There is a tactic in organized gossip, that if you let rumors fly long enough, you can solidify them as “truths” in the minds of people by introducing new layers of rumors.  The old rumors get regarded as something on the order of conventional wisdom, while the new, fresh rumors, are spreading through the wagging tongues of people.  We witnessed this problem with Michael Jackson. 

In the House of the King: Wondering about the Hajj

Alhamdulillah (praise and thanks be to God), it has been ten years since I was privileged with the Hajj.  I look back at this piece every year, more as a statement of who I was.  I was so young and so idealistic.  Now, I am so old and so jaded.  And, it has only been a decade.

Back then, this piece was a statement about the incomprehensibility of the world.  Now, it is a statement that — no matter how much I may change — we will keep revolving.

 

In the House of the King: Wondering about the Hajj

Written when I was a much younger man …