Arif & Ali's Blog

Sufi Comics: I am the Creator

Mohammed Ali — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 06:42:33 +0000

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This is a discussion a person had with Imam Jafar As Sadiq. He was a polymath: an astronomer, alchemist, Imam, Islamic scholar, Islamic theologian, writer, philosopher, physician, physicist and scientist. He was also the teacher of the father of Chemistry, Jabir ibn Hayyan (Geber). Several such discussions with Imam Jafar, on the evidence for the existence of God have been recorded more notably Hadith Mufaddal and Hadith Halila.

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Shame…shame…puppy shame.

arif — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:41:57 +0000

I don’t know about you, but I really feel I need to go around life with blinders on. Even if there was something worthwhile to watch on TV, I never know when a shameful scene would be pulverised into your face, leaving an concrete imprint in my mind haunting me forever. If it’s not the TV program that’s embarrassing enough the TV spots would shamelessly make up for it. Some of the billboards out there make me shudder. Even a nice clean sport like Cricket isn’t complete without semi-clad cheerleaders romping all over the screen. Bangalore Times seem to be in almost in competition with Playboy. 40 feet hoardings of models wearing just a bikini are already out there in the streets. What next? Nude beaches? Legalised Sex Clubs? Why ever not?

What’s happening to India? Why have we become so highly insensitive when it comes to showing of skin. Why doesn’t it bother us any more? Hardly a generation ago anything like that would make anyone’s skin crawl. Shame, modesty, shyness aren’t these moral values anymore? Instead today basfhulness and modesty are more of a shortcoming to one’s personality. “Oh, he’s conservative, old fashioned, he’s frightened of change, frightened of what’s new.” Frightened I am. I shiver of the type of world, the moral India, my daughter will grow in.

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Sufi Comics: How and Where is God?

Mohammed Ali — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 06:15:11 +0000

This time’s comic is done in color. It is a dialog Imam Ridha has with an Atheist. This is just an excerpt, the actual discussion is much longer.

Sufi Comcs - How and Where is God

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A few Quotes from Tuesday’s with Morrie

arif — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 04:48:47 +0000

I read this bestseller quite some time back, after Ali informed me that it’s audiobook has been quite a hit on iTunes. Although not a spiritual classic and not a book that I would strongly recommend, a part of me is glad that I have completed it. Below are a sprinkling of quotes from the book that I placed in my Intention Journal. I felt like sharing them with you.

“When you learn how to die, you learn how to live”

“Well the truth is if you really listen to that bird on your shoulder, if you accept that you can die at any time-then you might not be as ambitious as you are.”

“The things you spend so much time on-all this work you do-might not seem as important. You might have to make room for some more spititual things.”

Spiritual things?

“You hate that word, don’t you? ‘Spiritual.’ You think it’s touchy-feely stuff.”

“Mitch,” he said, laughing along, “even I don’t know what ’spiritual development’ really means. But I do know we’re deficient in some way. We are too involved in materialistic things, and they don’t satisfy us. The loving relationships we have, the universe around us, we take these things for granted.”

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Sufi Comics: Teaching Beautifully

Mohammed Ali — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 04:51:36 +0000

Sufi Comics - Teaching Beautifully

This is a very popular story that is often taught to children in Islamic Madressas.

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Jeez, What right do I have to moan about anything.

arif — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 13:24:42 +0000

Yesterday, me, my brother and dad happened to be at Acura hospital. Nothing serious, just regular aches and pains. By the time we were done, it was prayer time. We went ahead and offered prayers at a designated space at the terrace of Acura hopital. There in the corner a young man and an elderly lady were cooking dinner on a portable gas stove. Once prayers were done dad strolled by the couple and asked them in jolly manner, “What’s cooking tonight”. “Oh just Roti,” they replied bashfully. “What curry are you having with the roti?” dad continued. “No Curry, just milk. This is not for us, it’s for my 18 year old brother who was burnt in a blast.”

Here’s the rest of the story: Wasim. A welder. He was working at Total Mall at Sarjapur Road. He was one of the welders who was fixing the AC there. Some mishap took place and there was an explosion. His colleagued died on the spot. Wasim survived with major burn injuries. For the last two months, Wasim and his family were being shoved from one hospital to another. Receiving appalling treatment inspite of their employer sponsoring their care. The hospital he said were so money hungry that they refused to dress the wound for a week till the received payment. Finally just after Eid, they somehow got shifted to Acura. It’s been better since then. Other than receiving severe burns on his skin, a section of his leg has his bone completely charred.

We have personally visited Wasim and can vouch for their plight. We pressed a few thousand Rupees in his hands before leaving and his mother broke into tears. Javed continued to narrate that the operation was to take place today. But Wasim’s haemoglobin count was too low and if they did operate he wouldn’t have the strength to recover. The Doctors have asked to feed him meat or at least apples so that he could be strong enough for the operation. “But where do we have the money to buy such rich food?” the ached. Roti and milk is all that we can feed for now and an occassional boiled egg. That night, every morsel of my dinner was difficult to swallow.

Wasim’s employer has stopped funding him for now. He’s still far from being recovered. Being injured in any sort of accident is a calamity on it’s own. But then to on top of that to have no means of treatment, furthermore to have one’s earning stopped, is something I can’t think beyond. We all have some troubles and issues in our lives. Would we want to swap our difficulties for the ones that Wasim is facing? And his treatment will cost a few lakhs of Rupees.

Friends, whatever you can contribute, will highly appreciated by Wasim and his family. Remember, “Don’t be embarassed by giving little, because to the receiver getting nothing is even worse,” Imam Ali (AS). My dear friend Venkat, (mob: +91 9945436757, email: venkat_1958@hotmail.com) would gladly collect your contributions and ensure they reach Wasim at the earliest. And incase you are passing by Koramangala. Do drop by Acura Hospital (opposite National Games Village). Stop at ward no 10 and say hello to Vasim. Give him a smile. Share a few words of encouragement. It will certainly do him a world of good. And will also dawn upon us, how infinitely fortunate we are.

All Praise be to the Almighty, who has had Infinite Mercy on us. Parents, Health, Respect, Means of Livelihood are blessings that are the most Divine. Yet the most unappreciated. Why does man insists to be so foolish that he has to forego what he has to grateful for what he has.

My God, the uninterrupted flow of Thy graciousness hast distracted me from thanking Thee!
The flood of Thy bounty has rendered me incapable of counting Thy praises!
The succession of Thy kind acts has diverted me from mentioning Thee in laudation!
The continuous rush of Thy benefits has thwarted me from spreading the news of Thy gentle favours!
This is the station of him who confesses to the lavishness of favours, meets them with shortcomings, and witnesses to his own disregard and negligence.

- Whispered Prayer of the Thankful by Imam Zainul Abideen (As)Similar Posts:

A little bit of Fear is a Good thing

arif — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 08:39:29 +0000

He Who Fears Will Mind (Quran Chapter 87: Verse 10)

“Greed is Good?” I think not. However, a little bit of Fear can take you a long way. Fear (in proportion) and conflict are necessary for growth and for purity of the self. Think back to your past. When you have been totally fearless of any accountability, how has your performance been. Mine always has been less than adequate. Develop a healthy dose of Fear in yourself. Fear of reprimand because of poor job performance. Fear of regret due to poor spiritual endeavours.

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A Beautiful Quote that brings to perspective the worth of this Dunya.

arif — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 15:52:00 +0000

“What is your condition? You feel satisfied with what little you have secured from this world while much of the next world of which you have been deprived does not grieve you. The little of this world which you lose pains you so much so that it becomes apparent in your faces, and in the lack of your endurance over whatever is taken away from you; as though this world is your permanent abode, and as though its wealth would stay with you for good…You have decided together on leaving the next world and loving this world.”

Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib, Sermon 112, Nahjul Balagha

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An empowering Quote by Gandhi-ji

arif — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 15:24:48 +0000

“Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.”

Mahatma Gandhi

Indian political and spiritual leader (1869 – 1948)

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Sufi Comics: Childish Behaviour

Mohammed Ali — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 07:41:17 +0000

Sufi Comics Childish behaviour

I recall reading this story many years ago when I was a child. It influenced me on how I responded to situations that aroused anger with another person. The lessons I learnt were:

* Before reacting clarify with the person the reason for their behaviour. It often happens that we over react to the situation and then regret about it. Once we know the facts we’re in a better position to respond.

* Take a pause before reacting and ask if it is worth getting angry, or is the situation a case of someone’s Childish Behavior. If it is, then you can respond like the Imam “I don’t get angry at Childish Behaviour”.

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