"...indeed the disbelievers have hearts of stone. But even from stones, rivers can flow...." - Al-Qur'an
You've guessed it - I'm a Lord of the Rings (LOTR) fan. And solely because, I fell in love with Peter Jackson's movies - his labor of love.
So love, begets love. LOTR is now a vital part of our contemporary mythos. Right up there with Star Trek, Star Wars, Braveheart, Gladiator and the other 'epics' of our time.
In my opinion, out of all 3 movies - the Two Towers is by far, the magnum opus of all the masterpieces. I doubt whether its sheer caliber and scale will ever be replicated on the silver screen, ever again.
As the Fellowship of the Ring is fast on the trail of the kidnapped hobbits, they approach a dark, old forest called Fangorn. Gimli the dwarf asks in shock, "What madness drove them, there..?"
Legolas, Aragorn and Gimli venture forth. The elven warrior senses that the forest is old, and heavy with anger.
It can be said that Fangorn Forest is a metaphor for this duniyah - or more specifically, for our Earth/nature. When we humans sin, or gorge on its resources without care, the earth becomes angry. In the Qur'an, the earth is even described in a personal sense; and also, as bearing the brunt of our in-humanity - be it sins, mischief, injustice or arrogance. God also warns us how earthquakes (in Surah az-Zalzalah) are a way of our earth's RELEASING this burden, when it reaches critical mass.
Yet, even in the thick of this forest, Legolas senses a ray of hope. And he proclaims:
"The white wizard, approaches..."
This is a reference to Gandalf's progression as a wizard, from his erstwhile "Gandalf the Grey", to Gandalf the White. And this progression came only after an intense, relentless struggle against Balrog, a formidable denizen from the evil depths that Gandalf fought until the last breath.
The Islamic parallels we can derive from this, startle me. Innal`Hamdu`Lillah.
Gandalf the grey, is Rajab. Rajab is the month of Allah, as ahadith inform us. The ulemah have said that Rajab is a time of intense preparation for the holiest month of all - Ramadhan. Ergo, Ramadhan is Gandalf the White. The final hope for us all. And Ramadhan is the month of our ummah, where the shayateen are held back or bounded, so that we may run faster towards the Most Loving, the Almighty Bestower.
Balrog is our most vicious enemy - our Nafs, fueled and made fierce by the fury and might of Shaytan. The rest of the year, he got the better of us. When we wanted to pray, or do dhikr, or help out a friend or stranger in real financial need - Balrog intervenes and compels us to be selfish, to postpone God's remembrance, to forget the larger picture. To sin now, and repent tomorrow. Let it be said, Balrog and his minions have millenia of experience, in understanding the human psyche and its frailities.
But Rajab is here. And before Gandalf the Grey descended into the pit with his Balrog, he told the rest of the Fellowship to run, to flee - and he called us FOOLS, for daring to stand and watch. All too often, sin and ghafla (heedlessness) paralyze us into inaction and apathy.
Will we heed Rajab's call? Or will the power of the Ring continue to grow in our hard hearts, until even Ramadhan cannot save us no more?
Oh Allah, we seek refuge from such a despicable fate. Ya Rabb-ul-Izza.
Saturday, August 20, 2005
Friday, August 19, 2005
Akbar & Arundhati say it better
A goldmine of analysis:
www.outlookindia.com/archivecontents.asp?fnt=20050822
Some worthwhile reading from Indian and non-Indian heavyweights.
I've yet to read them all thoroughly - but they're definitely good cherries. Gotta pick 'em before they dry out.
But I highlight two of them - Arundhati Roy and Akbar S. Ahmed's articles. Why?
Arundhati Roy is a writer-activist, who won the Booker Prize in the late 1990s for her first novel, "The God of Small Things." She then made her mark in writing political essays, which were published by Outlook and Frontline magazines on various issues - from India's Nuclear Tests, to the disposession of the poor in dam-building projects, to globalization, Afghanistan and Iraq. I have yet to see a more evocative, fierce and passionate pen than hers.
The Arundhati feature in the above URL, is an in-depth interview. Don't miss it.
Prof. Akbar S. Ahmed is a Muslim thinker/sociologist, who's written books such as "Discovering Islam" and "Postmodernism and Islam". He does have some genuine insights. He holds the Ibn Khaldun Chair of Islamic Studies, American University, Washington DC.
Preface to his article:
Letting Go Of The Past
What is it about our historical icons that it becomes incumbent to deify or vilify them? Why not accept them for what they are, reclaim a common heritage?
Okay, enough of accolades. Read, in the name of your Lord. You just might learn something.
www.outlookindia.com/archivecontents.asp?fnt=20050822
Some worthwhile reading from Indian and non-Indian heavyweights.
I've yet to read them all thoroughly - but they're definitely good cherries. Gotta pick 'em before they dry out.
But I highlight two of them - Arundhati Roy and Akbar S. Ahmed's articles. Why?
Arundhati Roy is a writer-activist, who won the Booker Prize in the late 1990s for her first novel, "The God of Small Things." She then made her mark in writing political essays, which were published by Outlook and Frontline magazines on various issues - from India's Nuclear Tests, to the disposession of the poor in dam-building projects, to globalization, Afghanistan and Iraq. I have yet to see a more evocative, fierce and passionate pen than hers.
The Arundhati feature in the above URL, is an in-depth interview. Don't miss it.
Prof. Akbar S. Ahmed is a Muslim thinker/sociologist, who's written books such as "Discovering Islam" and "Postmodernism and Islam". He does have some genuine insights. He holds the Ibn Khaldun Chair of Islamic Studies, American University, Washington DC.
Preface to his article:
Letting Go Of The Past
What is it about our historical icons that it becomes incumbent to deify or vilify them? Why not accept them for what they are, reclaim a common heritage?
Okay, enough of accolades. Read, in the name of your Lord. You just might learn something.
Monday, August 15, 2005
India, independent?
Hot off the 'independent' press, on this day that marks India's Independence from British rule, some thoughts from a passionate spirit:
Destiny & its Discontents
“At the stroke of the midnight hour, while the world sleeps, India will awaken with Freedom..”- Jawaharlal Nehru, former Indian PM
These words of our first Prime Minister echoed through incipient India’s being, over half a century ago. If we’re lucky, our children may watch television footage of this powerful speech – forever etched in our world’s history - and heed the nostalgic fervor of our elders.
But – does anyone care? I wonder, as I stroll past the streets of Kerala’s capital city, and notice that the only Indian flag visible for a kilometer’s distance is at half-mast, lazily perched outside a state bank. Symbols may be bereft of substance, but when a country so “young” has jettisoned the spirit behind those symbols, we’ve accepted a tragic death without a whimper.
The reality is, most of us won’t care all that much, despite the polite reminders. Life in India forces us to consider August 15th as a momentary lapse from the daily grind of our working lives – IF we’re fortunate enough to be employed. But this existence is only for the upper crust of Indian society.
However, for the vast majority of our beautiful ‘swadesh,’ India’s “independence” figures low on their priority list for other reasons. Suddenly on one monsoon day, they notice white, orange and green colors interspersed with a spinning wheel. They may be more familiar with the spinning wheel; for some, it may be their sole source of income.
India has many grave and serious ills. In our modern, rapidly globalizing consumerist era, we await the latest cricket match not only to exult with Saurav and Sachin (IF they win), but also to scope out the latest Nokia, Hyundai and Pepsi advertisements. Not that there’s anything wrong with wanting things – but generally speaking, we Indians are often habitual over spenders, truth be told. We may have kicked out the British, but today we are virtual neo-slaves to the latter day mutants of the East India company.
This Independence Day, we should ask ourselves – what are we free from?
Destiny & its Discontents
“At the stroke of the midnight hour, while the world sleeps, India will awaken with Freedom..”- Jawaharlal Nehru, former Indian PM
These words of our first Prime Minister echoed through incipient India’s being, over half a century ago. If we’re lucky, our children may watch television footage of this powerful speech – forever etched in our world’s history - and heed the nostalgic fervor of our elders.
But – does anyone care? I wonder, as I stroll past the streets of Kerala’s capital city, and notice that the only Indian flag visible for a kilometer’s distance is at half-mast, lazily perched outside a state bank. Symbols may be bereft of substance, but when a country so “young” has jettisoned the spirit behind those symbols, we’ve accepted a tragic death without a whimper.
The reality is, most of us won’t care all that much, despite the polite reminders. Life in India forces us to consider August 15th as a momentary lapse from the daily grind of our working lives – IF we’re fortunate enough to be employed. But this existence is only for the upper crust of Indian society.
However, for the vast majority of our beautiful ‘swadesh,’ India’s “independence” figures low on their priority list for other reasons. Suddenly on one monsoon day, they notice white, orange and green colors interspersed with a spinning wheel. They may be more familiar with the spinning wheel; for some, it may be their sole source of income.
India has many grave and serious ills. In our modern, rapidly globalizing consumerist era, we await the latest cricket match not only to exult with Saurav and Sachin (IF they win), but also to scope out the latest Nokia, Hyundai and Pepsi advertisements. Not that there’s anything wrong with wanting things – but generally speaking, we Indians are often habitual over spenders, truth be told. We may have kicked out the British, but today we are virtual neo-slaves to the latter day mutants of the East India company.
This Independence Day, we should ask ourselves – what are we free from?
Monday, August 08, 2005
Ahmed Deedat passes away
I was stunned to hear the news, confirmed by UmmZaid's blog:(http://www.sunnisisters.com/sunnisister/?p=577)
It appears the angel of death is working overtime, on extinguishing our erstwhile, living lights...
Ahmed Deedat was a juggernaut of zeal & a vociferous defender of our deen - particularly when the South African context needed him. Most of all, he was disciplined & tenacious in his efforts. I believe that it was these two qualities, which catapulted him into the public sphere, into our hearts, into the curiously skeptical minds of many a non-Muslim - and ultimately, into Firdaus.
He deserves nothing less than this.
Our former student amir visited him in the hospital years ago and noted that, despite his bed-ridden state, he was busy working on publishing books - and conveying his message to his scribes by way of code through blinking his EYES. This fact alone, should elicit heartfelt Masha'Allah's from us all.
Such dedication only comes to mind from the likes of the sincere ulemah of old - it is related that when Imam Abu Yusuf, the great Qadi and student of Imam Abu Hanifah, was on his deathbed - he was still reading and seeking knowledge.
In my jahilliyah days, I recall how a zealous da'iyee sought to win me over with loads of Ahmed Deedat tapes. Though I was not formerly Christian, I found myself intrigued by the debates. Soon enough, I became a 'Deedat fan', and even took notes. His unbridled enthusiasm was infectious, and his theological knowledge wide enough to win the masses. This was another one of his greatest strengths - the ability to appeal to the common man.
Predictably, he had his critics. He's been branded as confrontational and blunt - as though there aren't times in our lives when bluntness is exactly what's required. But anyone who's read Ecclesiastics 3:1-8, knows:
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven;
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a
time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
It was time for Ahmed Deedat to leave this world. It is now time for us to mourn him, to thank Allah for sending him to us, to reflect upon his legacy...
And to become BETTER than him. Because, our ummah deserves nothing less than this.
May Allah grant us assistance in this lofty goal - Ameen.
It appears the angel of death is working overtime, on extinguishing our erstwhile, living lights...
Ahmed Deedat was a juggernaut of zeal & a vociferous defender of our deen - particularly when the South African context needed him. Most of all, he was disciplined & tenacious in his efforts. I believe that it was these two qualities, which catapulted him into the public sphere, into our hearts, into the curiously skeptical minds of many a non-Muslim - and ultimately, into Firdaus.
He deserves nothing less than this.
Our former student amir visited him in the hospital years ago and noted that, despite his bed-ridden state, he was busy working on publishing books - and conveying his message to his scribes by way of code through blinking his EYES. This fact alone, should elicit heartfelt Masha'Allah's from us all.
Such dedication only comes to mind from the likes of the sincere ulemah of old - it is related that when Imam Abu Yusuf, the great Qadi and student of Imam Abu Hanifah
In my jahilliyah days, I recall how a zealous da'iyee sought to win me over with loads of Ahmed Deedat tapes. Though I was not formerly Christian, I found myself intrigued by the debates. Soon enough, I became a 'Deedat fan', and even took notes. His unbridled enthusiasm was infectious, and his theological knowledge wide enough to win the masses. This was another one of his greatest strengths - the ability to appeal to the common man.
Predictably, he had his critics. He's been branded as confrontational and blunt - as though there aren't times in our lives when bluntness is exactly what's required. But anyone who's read Ecclesiastics 3:1-8, knows:
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven;
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a
time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
It was time for Ahmed Deedat to leave this world. It is now time for us to mourn him, to thank Allah for sending him to us, to reflect upon his legacy...
And to become BETTER than him. Because, our ummah deserves nothing less than this.
May Allah grant us assistance in this lofty goal - Ameen.
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
Aijaz does it again
Aijaz Ahmad is al columnist and essayist of India's premier bi-monthly mag, "Frontline"
He's one of my favorites. Excellent observations and comparisons made, in this gem of an article. Don't let saturation sink in on the London tragedy, until you've read this:
http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/thscrip/print.pl?file=20050812005512500.htm&date=fl2216/&prd=fline&
Spread the link, print it out, get others to discuss it.
As always, comments are most welcome. This blog must survive on YOUR feedback, not my nafs-laden intentions.
He's one of my favorites. Excellent observations and comparisons made, in this gem of an article. Don't let saturation sink in on the London tragedy, until you've read this:
http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/thscrip/print.pl?file=20050812005512500.htm&date=fl2216/&prd=fline&
Spread the link, print it out, get others to discuss it.
As always, comments are most welcome. This blog must survive on YOUR feedback, not my nafs-laden intentions.
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