Logical Views, Unpolished and New

Harley Davidson Iron 883 in Winter

2012-01-07T20:36:00.000-05:00

Hadith - Proof Has Been Brought: Those who will listen will listen.

2012-01-05T17:58:00.000-05:00

Complete Salah based only on Sahih hadith is IMPOSSIBLE

2011-12-30T17:02:00.000-05:00

Islam is not a Religion, It is a STRAIGHT WAY

2011-12-28T01:58:00.001-05:00

Islam is not a Religion, It is a STRAIGHT WAY

2011-12-28T01:58:00.000-05:00

Hadith Rejectors are Quran Followers

2011-12-27T20:51:00.000-05:00

Allah, The Absolute

2011-12-27T20:50:00.000-05:00

Questioning Your Religion (For Christians or Former Christians)

2011-12-27T14:47:00.000-05:00

Use your head

2011-12-27T14:46:00.001-05:00

Bad position

2011-12-27T14:46:00.000-05:00

Past, Present and Future: The Evolution of Farming

2011-12-22T12:43:00.001-05:00

Gabrielle Galloway

14 December 2011

Farming is an essential component to the sustainability of mankind, which is why the modern farmer must emerge and use the information handed to him from the farmers of the past and present. Farming has been an important concept since the settling of America. In the beginning, it started mainly with corn and cotton crops. Then it grew into many more foods such as strawberries, tomatoes, and beans. The important concept learned through reading three of the required novels, is that farming is now taking on a more modern approach. Farming is no longer what it used to be and new concepts need to be implemented for successful farming in a technological, modern world.

The three books that I read for in relation to farming were, “Fields Without Dreams” by Victor Davis Hanson, “New Roots for Agriculture” by Wes Jackson, and “Living The Good Life” by Helen and Scott Nearing. The one idea that all of these books shared are listing what the authors saw as essential to maintaining or starting a farm. All of the authors outlined their successes and failures, what to avoid, and what to hold onto when it comes to farming and contributing to agriculture.

Maintaining the health of the land, and being able to have a productive land are key factors in the ideal of farming. The purpose I am seeking is to find a new modern approach to farming based off of the key points illustrated in the above mentioned novels combined with more modern techniques, to create a new ideal that I would like to call the modern farmer. The modern farmer knows that his purpose is not to be the sole provider of produce, but to live a more energy conservable, natural life. The modern farmer can no longer work solely on the farm or rely on small crops to make his living. The modern farmer should work outside of the farm, and be able to use technology to his/her advantage.

I will first start with summarizing the three novels that I read regarding farming so that one can understand what was essential to farming in the past and what key ideas each author presents about farming. Then, I will discuss the lives of individuals who lived on farms. And finally, I will discuss the story of an individual who I would consider the modern farmer and what his ideals entail to become successful in the modern farming business.

The first book, Hanson’s “Fields Without Dreams” illustrates the lives of a family and their farm which was passed down for many generations starting in the early 1900’s. This book highlights their successes, failures, and suggestions for maintaining a farm. This book is obviously aimed at defending the Agrarian idea, or advancement of farmers. There are six guidelines that are outlined by Hanson. The first is that all farmland should have a house. Hanson said that it would be wise to have a house on the farmland to avoid driving from one location to another and trying to maintain more than location. The second guideline is to keep a history. Every farmland should have data kept that shows what the best and worst crops were and on what part of the land. This is to give the farmer a better understanding of what his/her land’s weaknesses and strengths are. The third guideline is that all farmland, especially vineyards and orchards should have proven crops. This means not having strange exotic fruits, but to stick with what you know such as plums, peaches, and nectarines. The fourth guideline is to make sure the farmland has easy access to water. This means that the land should be located beneath and not in the mountains. Therefore the water would flow downward. The fifth guideline is that farmland should have predictable weather. Having predictable weather will help to prevent “limb-breaking winds, fruit-rotting rains, and tree-killing snows and frosts” (Hanson 126). The sixth and final guideline is that farmland should have neighbors. Neighbors can offer expertise, and share ideas of what works for them. Also, as we learned in Collapse, it is good to have someone close by for resources or tools that you may lack.

Hanson also expressed several challenges of the farmer, especially during the early 1900’s after the depression and periods of inflation. The most important challenge of all was trying to stay in farming. The second challenge was to continue to be able to produce an income, and the third challenge was to not borrow or lose money. The farmer’s struggled to be able to keep an income from the crops that were produced because of inflation. For example, a tray of raisins that could once sell for four hundred and fifty dollars, was now selling for less than one hundred dollars. This minimized the actual profit from the produce and only sometimes the farmers broke even. The banks started having a lot of control towards the mid 1950’s in thinking that they were helping the farmers survive when all they did was make it worse. Farmers had to borrow from banks to keep their land and in the end found themselves in debt. The inflation was not good for their income and the amount that they were able to produce was no longer enough. The farmers would try anything and everything necessary to stay in farming but after many years still found that they had failed.

And finally, Hanson mentioned one statement that said, farmers complain about the injustice of their plight, robbery of their produce, the cruelty of nature, and the carnality of the bank. On page 215, I found Hanson’s comment about the “more urbane reader” not being interested in this issue to be offensive. The “more urbane reader” is not always pro urban and may have a certain respect for rural or suburban ideals. My conclusion about this book is that we can change the image of the Agrarian. We can make him more modern and able to survive farming in a new way. This book was perfect in demonstrating the hardships of farming in a time where all economy was facing a downfall and slow rise.

The second book I read was “Living the Good Life” by Helen and Scott Nearing. This book was focused around the authors who travelled to Vermont to learn the way of farming, which to them was the good life. They were in search of the good life, by maintaining or living in a cooperative or an intentional community. They first selected where they wanted to live the good life and figured how they would finance it. And then they had to found out the ways in which the good life is supposed to be lived. At first they were looked at as only being “summer folks” and were not liked by the community (Nearing 11). This means that by only habiting a community during the summer, the town then turns into a ghost town which creates in continuity for the community. Helen and Scott Nearing also had seven guidelines for their success in living the good life. Their guidelines were as follows:

o To raise as much food as possible
o To Barter
o Use wood, that they would cut themselves, for fuel
o Put up their own buildings
o Implements such as sheds, screens, ladders, etc
o Hold down or maintain the implements
o Rent or trade machines

These guidelines are what the Nearings found essential to living their life the best way they could. They used natural stone and rock and would only repair rather than rebuild to conserve. They found a surprising way of income, which was selling syrup. They became tappers of maple trees. With the profit from the syrup they were able to pay for all of their expenses. The Nearing’s would conduct these guidelines over a ten year period. This book was also centered in the early 1900’s which is why it displays some of the same characteristics as “Fields Without Dreams”, except the bank was virtually nonexistent in the Nearing’s life. The Nearing’s seemed to live a more free life.

The importance of this book is the outlining of how to get started with a farm. Although those guidelines will not be the same for the modern farmer, the authors share the same purpose. The idea of starting or moving to an intentional, cooperative community is the same idea of the modern farmer.

The third book was “New Roots for Agriculture” by Wes Jackson. This book reminded me the most of Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring with many mentions to pesticides. Jackson mentioned the idea of training and licensing pesticide handlers, but also said that doing this would not eliminate the problem of pesticides because most “will be there due to error and not intent” (Jackson 28). Jackson believes that farmers have a need for a better land ethic. He discusses the failure of success, saying that some of the techniques that gave farmers success in the short run were killing their land and crops in the long run. As we continue to push for production, we plant more crop varieties that are susceptible to pesticides. Water mining, land salting, pesticide accumulation, and fertilizer application contribute to genetic vulnerability. This vulnerability takes place during the short run success mentioned earlier. The plants lose their genes for resistance and make them vulnerable.

We were also presented with the problem of nitrates in the water. Many farmers were forced to switch to bottled water for drinking for both themselves and the animals. Irrigation then becomes a major problem for farmers as well. Over eighty percent of our water is consumed on farms and ranches. The problem is not only the nitrates but also the salt accumulating in the fields, and the draw down from pumping is occurring faster than recharge.

Jackson also discusses the fact that farmers have no choice but to move into “large-scale, capital-intensive type[s] of farming” (Jackson 31). This correlates back into Hanson’s discussion about the banks getting involved and what negative affects it can have on the farmers. Farmers are forced into less personal more government reliable farming because they cannot afford to pay the banks. They also lose time and have increased costs because of tools and equipment. One part of Jackson’s argument that stood out to me was the failure of organizations which aimed to save the land and do what was best for the land. Some organizations believed that technology would solve the farming problems and some preached conservation. The tragedy was the fall of primitive peoples who are connected to the environmental way of living. As we grow further from those generations, the ideas of farming are less accepted or wanted.

Towards the ends, Jackson claims that as humans we could possibly have a predisposed psyche telling us to take from the environment without regards to the future. This was mentioned in class when we discussed how humans are working together survival for mankind, and they’re willing to do anything to make sure they survive. However, Jackson says that we need to negotiate with nature to get back what we once had which is a healthy, rich land. The final chapter discusses a Utopian Farm and how they use more modern approaches to be successful. We see innovations such as alcohol powered tractors and herbaceous poly culture for oil.

What I gained from these books are the techniques of farming, what could or could not work best, the successes, the failures, challenges, and problems of the past generations farmer. The fact that all of these books did not focus on farming past the late 1970’s, shows that there have probably been changes since then. “New Roots for Agriculture” also highlights the issue of the government becoming too involved. We will see later how this affects the modern farmer negatively.

I received a statement from two middle aged women who had lived on farms as children. They were growing up in the 50’s and 60’s, which is still close to the time period discussed in the novels that I read.

One woman, Debbie Wiles, moved to her uncle’s farm when she was 12. She recalled the men getting up early to start the outdoor work such as milking the cows. When the women woke up they would make a breakfast with fresh fruits that they grew, and dinner would also consist of fresh vegetables grown on the farm.

Another woman, Bonnie Cesnick, grew up on a farm as well. One of her most vivid but not joyful moments was helping to slaughter the pigs. Bonnie recalled hiding under her bed and covering her ears to minimize the squealing of the pigs. She described the pigs as being intuitive, almost like children. They seemed to know that slaughtering was getting ready to happen.

Both Debbie and Bonnie discussed the fact that every one of all ages helped on the farm. It was not hard work for them to do but rather busy work or a chore. For many families, the children helping are a crucial part of their profit. Without the children’s help, much less work would get done. More recently a child working on the farm has become an issue of child labor and can possibly be changed to illegal.
One article, “Children in the Fields”, by John Biewen, looks at a Mexican American family of 8 living in the state of Washington; “they make more than the average farm worker family – $18,000 last year, they say. That's still $10,000 below the federal poverty line for a family of eight” (Biewen). Without the help of the family’s children, they would get twice as less work done and make half the money they are currently making in a year. Biewen says that the children are at risk and are being used as “guinea pigs”. In reality, all children have always been at risk throughout history but were probably in better health because they had to participate in family work outside of the home. What better will the youth do if they do not have to stay physically active to help the family? The children would waste time watching television and playing video games. They can learn the same hand-eye coordination by helping to farm. If society truly wants to minimize the number of children working on farms, they should do so “by raising the wages paid to adult farm workers” (Biewen).

This issue is significant to both the past farmer and the modern farmer. As Debbie and Bonnie said, everyone helped out on the farm. For the present farmer, the children’s work on the farm is essential to their income. For the modern farmer, everyone will still need to contribute to the new high maintenance techniques. I do not believe that a child helping on the farm is child labor; it is merely them learning the ways of the household. It certainly can be looked at as the same as chores. The children are not forced to work all day and they are getting paid with a roof over their heads and food in their stomachs.

Now I would like to present the ideal modern farmer ideas from an individual named Teddy Galloway. Religion has inspired Teddy to live a more conservative, natural life and to provide life-long sustenance to his family. Teddy wishes to “improve upon the ability for [him] to live without excess”. The first thing that Teddy needs to do is purchase a large area of land, preferably land that can be easily farmable and at least 2 to 3 acres. There are four objectives in place once the land is purchased. Thos objectives are to build an earthship, create permaculture gardens to maximize food production, produce biodiesel, and have a farm. The ultimate goal is to have 5 to 6 families living in this community and all families working together for the success of the community. To Teddy, this is “the most important thing to survive in the economy and in order to actually be involved in the economy”. Excess produce will be given to the poor and also used for profit.

An earthship is made out of natural and recyclable materials with solar panels. Because of the materials it is made from, it does not look like the typical house. They are typically built off grid, meaning being as far away from public housing as possible. This will be different for Teddy’s community. His ideas are to be shared with public society for them to have an understanding of what sustainable living is about. In the earthship, rainwater will be harvested and well water will be used as back up. In addition to the solar panels of the earthship, there will be a production of biodiesel. Obviously, the Sun does not always shine. Therefore, there needs to be a backup generator which will be the biodiesel, created from sunflowers combined with a generator to be used for heating purposes.

Permaculture is derived of several disciplines including sustainable development, organic farming, and ecology. Permaculture focuses on the agricultural systems and human settlements which can be summed up as modern agriculture. Like the earthship, it is self reliant and does not rely on the public, or government, for assistance. Permaculture gardens will be setup both indoors and outdoors of the earthship. They will be used to grow plants and foods in a temperature controlled environment. Permaculture will be used to produce a farm, to keep land fertile and to cause the least amount of harm on the land. The land can be regenerated and rejuvenated. There will be animals such as sheep, goats, chickens, and in the longer run cows and horses.

As a man who makes a six figure salary, theses goals are more attainable for him than others. While his plan may only take him 5 to 10 years to get to a sustainable life, it could take some up to 20. If the government were to fund projects such as the one presented, it would help to sustain the human population for a longer period of time and do so in a more healthful, conserving manner. This is not to say that the government can then govern how this community lives or makes decisions.
There are several reasons why Teddy believes sustainable living is important. As mentioned earlier, America started as an Agricultural society in which Industry later took over. Once industry took over and America began to urbanize. The disappearance of Agriculture relied in the increase of big businesses. The businesses are now running what is left of the Agriculture. The businesses used technology to expand their capabilities. The technology killed the agriculture. This created a dependency issue in which Americans transitioned to being independent to being dependent on the government to provide more. When government fails, as in the failure of organizations explained in “New Roots for Agriculture”, the societies begin to fall apart.

The conclusion is that the economy crashed because of the transition from agriculture. America has put herself back into the depression. In order to bring our economy back to being somewhat independent, agriculture needs to pick back up. According to Teddy, America needs to deurbanize to get back to agriculture. This is what he calls the cycle of dependency. The cycle is continuous from agriculture, to industry, to technology and eventually back to agriculture. Agriculture is not important to Americans anymore because they are receiving their sustenance from the government. With proper planning, the people of society can teach themselves to become independent and to live the proper agricultural life. The motto here said by Teddy, is that “proper planning prevents piss-poor performance”. The plan could take 10 years, but would ultimately lead to better lives.

All of the ideas presented by Teddy Galloway are examples of what I would consider the ideal modern farmer. In order for us as humans to be able to understand what it means to live the good life we need to have more innovative ideas. Majority of Americans have no ideas about what it means to live agriculturally, to live on a farm, to own animals, or to independently provide for themselves. If mankind wants to be able to thrive they must learn how to survive a more sustainable life.
Hanson, Jackson, and the Nearing’s all had key ideas that are still relate-able to the modern farmer. From Hanson, the techniques of avoiding the government and banks are important. Once you begin to become dependent, slowly your independence will be gone and you will have to rely on the government to keep your farm running. From Jackson, we also see issues of the government becoming too involved. When the government tries to regulate a natural process of farming, they are only depleting further the chance for Independence. From the Nearing’s, the idea of getting started, of being independent, of wanting an intentional cooperative community is one of the goals of the modern farmer. Both need to find a plot of land, build on that land, and establish profit.

In conclusion, the farmers of the past and present are shaping the way for the modern farmer to be more successful. For the economy to raise out of its slump, agriculture must take a stance and show the world its importance. Modern farmers know better than anyone else what works and what does not work and can create the most successful way to farm. If humans do not want to die out due to environmental issues and depletion of resources, are more sustainable, agricultural life is necessary. We must stop the cycle of dependency, and get back to the independence we first worked hard to achieve.

Works Cited
Biewen, John. "Children in the Fields." American RadioWorks from American Public Media. American RadioWorks, 2011. Web. 13 Dec. 2011. .
The Cycle of Dependency. Prod. Teddy Galloway. Perf. Teddy Galloway. 2011.
Earthships, Permaculture, Sustainable Farming, Solar, Biodiesel. Prod. Teddy Galloway. Perf. Teddy Galloway. 2011.
Good Ideas for Living a Better Life: Parts 1-4. Prod. Teddy Galloway. Perf. Teddy Galloway.
Hanson, Victor Davis. Fields without Dreams: Defending the Agrarian Idea. New York: Free, 1996. Print.
Jackson, Wes. New Roots for Agriculture. Lincoln, Neb.: University of Nebraska, 1985. Print.
Nearing, Helen, and Scott Nearing. Living the Good Life: How to Live Sanely and Simply in a Troubled World. New York: Schocken, 1982. Print.

URL for youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmSDKM3kgyU&feature=autoplay&list=SP8B3C3EAAE6CF683B&lf=list_related&playnext=1
Search user Teddy3indc, 9 videos related to Sustainable Living

Who.Moved.My.Cheese.avi

2011-12-20T19:41:00.000-05:00

Should people against Slavery Leave Islam? Islam and Slavery

2011-12-17T01:20:00.001-05:00

First Islam (from the Quran) does not condone slavery at all. As a matter of fact; Quran 90:1 - 20 should give you a good Idea of the the believers do.

In the history of Islam, and even to this day, those that seek to establish a man-made religion claim that Slavery is permissible. IT IS NOT According to the Quran. As a matter of fact, since Allah since that the one who frees the Slave is a believer, then those that enslave are disbelievers.

There is hardly any room to debate this.

I am not a traditionalist. I am not a Sunni, nor a shia. I am a Muslim. There is no other name.

I am not part of the religion of Islam. My internal belief is Islam. I submit to Allah, and that is all. No man made crap in my life.

I am against Slavery. Allah created men in a good fashion. They are to have no master but the Creator. In my opinion anyone that seeks to enslave will experience the hell-fire, inshallah, I am right.

True belief is the freeing of the slave, the care of the orphan, the wayfarer, and the needy. No one is more needy then the slave, orphan, hungry, and homeless.....therefore someone (me) will fight for them forever.

Islam is not a religion. Islam is a Straight Path. People who are misguided condone slavery. Islam/ Allah does not.

I am going to try to put together an argument

Islam 1 - is a religion
Islam 2 - is an ideal way of thinking about life, hereafter, and Allah

Islam 1 - is a social construct. It cannot exist without the Quran, and it cannot exist without a historical analysis.
Islam 2 - is a personal construct. It can exist with or without the Quran because it is a personal belief that can be given by Allah with or without the Quran

Islam 1 - allows Slavery and other things that the Quran does not, nor does reasonable thought (philosophy)
Islam 2 - because it is based from the Quran, does not have the door open to mistreatment of others. ie slavery

I am not part of Islam 1 because of its hypocrisy, namely its lies against the Prophets, Allah, and the Turning away from the Book. Therefore, I do not need to leave it because it accepts Slavery, when I already see massive flaws in the argument for organized religion of any sorts

I am part of Islam 2, not only because of the lack of slavery support, but also due to the personal responsibility, reason, logic, and complex complete comprehension of Truth in that it avoids contradiction. (or thoughts and actions) Islam 2 is personal and reasonable, not to mention it does not condone slavery therefore the argument to leave Islam (2) is illogical.

The only logical acceptance of the "Leave because of Slavery" principle is if someone accepts Islam 1 as Islam 2. This is a contradiction because they are separate even if they share the same name. Islam 2 (in my opinion) is against Islam 1, and therefore is free of its associations. However, uneducated individuals with continually based ISLAM because of Islam 1, and mischaracterize Islam 2 because of it.

Good thing that those that follow Islam 2 are doing it in their mind and hearts devoid of using social mechanisms to realize legitimization.

All praise to Allah.

Forgive Me: Not for you, but for you - and a sincere Apology

2011-12-16T06:17:00.000-05:00

Islam is not a Religion, It is a STRAIGHT WAY

2011-12-14T17:14:00.000-05:00

Fear

2011-12-10T07:16:00.000-05:00

Teddy Galloway

12-9-2011 (Kinda)

This essay, in such a simple style as is the mind of the writer, is my personal postulation on many a topics that blend into the culmination of my desires and interests. In this reflection I intend to consider my thoughts while dictating them outright, in order to have a personal conversation with my mind and individual reason. I want to consider the idea of Fear. I do not want to consider fear in light of some sort of emotion that humans have, well not exactly this, but FEAR as a tactic utilized by one against another. I want to think about the use of fear as a motivational factor in the lives of men, but also that thing that hinders the minds of men from further exploration of the unknown. I want to explore why fear is used for such gain as worldly matters, or lack thereof.

Is it the unknown that we fear? What about the unknown do we actually have to fear? Hopefully I will remember to return to this thought, but like the winds on the waves of the sea, I will allow my thoughts to carry me to which ever means it may.

The world is made up of people, each with their own minds and individual inclinations, which has been chosen by them as a means to deal with the experiences that they have witnessed in the past. Each person is made up of a Will, Interest, Positions, Desires, Belief, and the innate idea of progression (whether they want to or not - ie the progression of life to death). With all of these personal “things”, a person develops a means to deal with the realities of life in the future, attempt to rectify any conceptions that they may have of success and failure, and ultimately tries to find rhyme or reason in their lives. This in my opinion is why we ask ourselves “What is the meaning of life” at least once in our lifetime. Anyway, each person develops a means to approach their lives, and this is influenced by the person’s experiences as well.

Walk with me a second as I explain.

Before we can understand the role of fear in everyday life, thus understanding the method that fear is instituted (or institutionalized in order to have a profoundly lasting effect) we need to understand what a tactic is. Every decision is personal. Every decision is for some gain of which is understood under some type of institutional construction (economical, social, political, ideological, religious, doctrinal, environmental...etc). With that said, each person establishes their means of formulation based on what they know. A doctor will learn to approach a problem, figure out the best solution, and they choose specifically a tool that can solve that issue. An Engineer will do the same in accordance to their style of learning (also an institutional construct... go figure). This idea or approach is in my opinion a strategy, a ideological method of analysis which has a terminal objective (personal goal) in mind. The breakdown of ideas into a series of chewable platforms, in which the organization of the idea can be met is the Plan. The WAY in which the job is done (which is figured out in the plan), is the operational component to to accomplish each small goal, and eventually the strategic goal. Finally each individual movement is the Tactics that are used in order to win the small battles that eventually lead to the enabling goal, then the strategic goals.

Can you tell that I was in the military, hence my need to explain how the experiences of a person gives insight to the strategy of the person.

Funny thing though, we may call those things (strategy, plans, operations, tactics, terminal goal, enabling goals, strategic goals, and movements) a variety of nomenclatures, but regardless of the associated name of point of process the description is the same. An approach is the strategy, the outline is the plan (job description), the research is the operation (tools), the use of the information is formulate sentences is the tactic (how to use the tool correctly), and finally the end product (this essay) - or a successful surgical operation is the goal.

This is how my brain works and this is how I will continue to communicate with myself.

Forgive me if this is dry and nonsensical. Remember it is written for me alone.

We have to build another key understanding in order to process fear in a more complete sense. We must define power and will in order to understand fear. Power is Will, the ability to will, or the ability to convince others to will. Will is the ability to act (think, do, feel, process). Power over oneself is the power to will oneself to do something. The only thing that can force someone to will themselves to do something is that person, or the thing that gives will to all things, The Creator. The ability to will is a natural part of our existence, hence each of us has to conceive of an idea (or use borrowed concepts to build ideas), and we must will ourselves to do something before it can happen. Finally the power (charisma) to will others to will themselves is a power given by those that relinquish their own will to that of the charming. The charming have to willingly - pun intended - allow others to relinquish their will, which is accepting the responsibility of their will without accepting responsibility for their actions. Funny isn’t it. Anyone that gains power through leadership (the ability to convince another to action or thought) has the most to gain and the least to loose.

In that paragraph I talk about many topics that I originally thought would come up later. With the last 10 sentences I alluded to persuasion and desire.

Desire - A personal goal, that if attained will give the person a sense (real or fiat), of accomplishment and enjoyment. It can be used to accomplish personal strategic and operational goals for their individual betterment.

Persuasion - A tactic and a goal of someone that WANTS to lead. This DESIRE leads persons to vie for the will of another.

Okay now, back to power and charisma.

The example of this leader (charismatic convincer) is the example of having your cake and eating to! Actually it is far better for the leader. His example is like having 10 people in a room, each with their own cheesecake. The leader convinces each person to relinquish their taste to him so that he will taste all the cheesecakes without having to actually ingest them, this is in order to make the best “decision” for “all”. The leader gets to taste every bite of the dessert, but the negative effects (the bloating, the digestion, the weight gain) is left with those people. The leader never accepted the responsibility for each persons actions, which is why they were the ones to eat the cheesecake, but he only accepted what they allowed him to. The TASTE of the cheesecake and the reward of choosing what he/she wants. Let’s not forget that the leader also receives his own cheesecake too!

Point proven yet?

That is the example of a leader. Someone with the power, but not with the responsibility.

I know the quote “With great power comes great responsibility” (reference later), but that responsibility is only on the shoulders of the one who accepts it. Since no leader can live your life, no leader can bear your burden/ punishments, and they will never accept your responsibility of living. Thus the President of the United States makes decisions for you, but doesn’t go to jail when you break the law. Good thing the leaders of the world don’t have to pay the fines of the wicked. If that were the case then their would be no reason for people to comply to the leaders ‘power’ and their would be no motivation for the leader to accept power.

This balance is good! This balance is just, but do we actually need leaders if all of us have the ability to lead/will/govern ourselves?

Haha, LOL, WTF! I feel smart, sike!

I am starting to see that my existence up to this point has been one of relinquished power, and that each time I give up my own power/will that I stifle any real success for two reasons. 1. I am giving up the ability to make the most out of my life by limiting myself to self imposed constructs that have been forced on me from the beginning of my life. 2. The responsibility of my actions is very personal and cannot be given up to anyone else, thus if I relinquish my power I put myself in a tricky situation of accepting something that may not be my choice!

I now realize!

I now realize that my fear of my own responsibility has slowed my progress and processes down, that the fear of not pleasing the institutional construct has stop me from developing a new strategy of success.

So leaders are leaders because they want to be, accept the will of others, and because of their tactics. They clearly have a strategic goal, because if they didn’t then they wouldn’t and couldn’t lead/ convince another person of an action. They clearly have a plan, hence they produce the actions, words, and massaged situation that put them in a situation to have the opportunity to execute their power over others.

People think that they are better if someone else chooses. They THINK that their beliefs (if suspended of rational thought processes) and their choice, if relinquished, rids them of their of responsibility to themselves. This shows, however that they are in fact choosing NOT to do the thing that a responsible person would choose, which was their responsibility in the first place - the responsibility of themselves and action - remember they have the power to will, which is an innate concept of progression, thought, reason, and rationalization.

The tactics of the leader are..................okay wait, this is not an essay about the leader or even leadership principles (Just leadership principles - Judgement, Justice, Decisiveness, Integrity, Dependability, Tact [politic speech], Initiative, Endurance, Bearing [holding firm], Unselfishness, Compassion/Care, Knowledge, Loyalty, Execution) - sorry Marines, I changed it a bit.................! This is an essay about fear, so in place of leader I want you to consider using the words; Elite, Deceptor, Convincer, Charmer, Harassor, and Aggressor. From now on the essay will refer to DEACH when referring to the negative characteristics of some “leaders”.

The tactics of a positive leader or a DEACH are numerous! They can control those that have given up power by the use of; Repression, Suppression, Coercion, Force, Threat of force, Withdrawal of support/ benefits, Intellectual confrontation. DEACH slowly build up their power base with all of those tactics until the power that they have is institutionally ingrained in those that USE to have the power, therefore creating a system of sustained power for those in the top tiers of the system. The higher the tier of power, the least amount of intra-institutional oppositional power you face. The only problem is this:

Once you are at the top of the institutional system you must work within the system in order to maintain the control of the people under you. You will be successful in the system if you idealize the system (this in my opinion is worship or complete submission to the system)If YOU step outside the institution then the institution will destroy you, because you broke the #1 rule, “don’t leave the system”. When this happens you will have those that have fully bought into the system coming after you in order to perpetuate the situation.

You are now a slave to the institution. You cannot figure out a way out of it, unless you give up every concept and ideal that you have about it. The System will fight you! It will shake and rock you, until you become the master of it. You can ONLY master the system when you master yourself.

In order for power to be maintained, their must be an apparatus of aggression in two parts. This apparatus will be able to enforce (a polite way of saying that force will be used in order to maintain ‘law and order’) agreed upon norms of governance. In this way the system remains protected from the inside from non-lawful change. Next an apparatus of external protection must be established, in order to protect the system from external influence and aggression. Here is the problem. By acknowledging that the system needs force to exist, the sustainers of the system realize that the system is not in fact functioning in accordance to the need and desires of all of those that relinquish their power. This is a funny fact because by this time those in power forgot where they got it, and those under their control forgot that they use to have it as well. In all, the entire system is on autopilot and the autopilot cruise control is on a path of not to distant violence.

This violence will come out in many ways.

The system’s aggressive apparatus will fight to maintain power
The system’s aggressive apparatus will fight to protect itself from the outside
The system will produce franchised DEACH who believe that they are the powerful, therefore the system and those disenfranchised under the control of the DEACH will revolt.
The system, like all systems will die, producing a rush of aggression from the newly autonomous apparatus of aggression
The system, like all systems will die, producing a rush of aggression from the newly powerful (those that forgot they had the power the whole time), and retribution will go on the scapegoat of the flawed system (the DEACH).
The fight for control of the system, inside of the system, will produce a senseless civil war of those inside the system that want to benefit from the power influence.

I’m sure I can think of more, but, moving right along.

Fear, finally, is the feeling (I say feeling because in my opinion it is irrational because there is nothing worth fearing because whatever is gonna happen will happen and our ability to act/ react is far more important than the thing that is imposed on us) or an idea that there is something to be lost in any given situation. For example, the fear of dying is actually the fear of not living/ not believing in a life after this. The motivation to work is driven by the fear of not having enough, and so it is the motivation of greed, lust, gluttony, and over indulgence as well. Fear is the base of every negative human emotion and condition. Fear is the thing that makes us relinquish or own power, because we are scared of the decisions and situations that we may be led to. Fear is the thing that legitimizes the aggression and oppression against another. It is the fear of being embarrassed, hurt, killed, harmed, or having something taken away from us that manipulate our minds into action against another. Damn, this is startling.

The feeling of fear comes with the feeling of entitlement. Someone can only be fearful of loosing something that they feel is inherently theirs. They can only loose something that is desired, wanted, needed, or wished for.

The DEACH make you fear that the system of men will go away. They make you fear that you will die. They make you fear that you will not have enough, aren’t good enough, aren’t smart enough, aren’t pretty enough, aren’t skinny enough to survive with them and without the benefits of the system. The Devils, the DEACH, and your personal denial mechanisms tell you through timeless whispers that you need MORE, MORE, MORE in order to be satisfied.

Satisfaction is defined by your definition, and if your definition is base on another’s, then you will never be satisfied. Even if that definition is a product of your family, culture, religion (I do not mean the personal belief in something greater, I mean the adoption of ideas based on superstition and doctrinal dogma), ideology, or tradition.

Buddha said that greed had to be rid of in order to be happy and content. But Buddha didn’t talk about the cause of greed.

Jesus said to love in order to be happy and content. But Jesus didn’t say (explicitly) that lack of love came from the fear of not being loved in returned, or the fear of having that loved one lost.

Teddy Galloway says to stop being scared and YOU WILL be happy and content, because happiness and contentment is the lack of fear of loss, the appreciation for what is given, and the acknowledgement that one does not have control of all affairs. Additionally, the belief in something that DOES have control over all affairs is absolutely paramount in order to rid yourselves/ myself of fear. When you realize that every action is a part of the system designed for you by the Creator of the system you will understand that anyone who believes in the Creator’s perfection, therefore the perfection of His System is designed to allow you room to grow, and nothing will touch you that wasn’t designed to do so. Also nothing can be given for you as a test that you cannot pass, therefore you should not fear the trials, but fear ONLY that you will not be forgiven for the mistakes that you make along the way. This Fear is the only righteous fear that one needs, because this fear will drive you to continue doing acts that will take you to a better condition in this life and the next. Remember, fear is a motivating mechanism, but which motivation would you choose? The motivation to perpetual aggression and worry, or the motivation to perpetual positive actions, happiness, and contentment with your situation. If you put your heart and soul into driving on the fear of losing everything in your life you will live a life of protection, aggression, and compounding fear. If you live your life like there will be hardship and challenges, but that you will succeed (without the fear of failure) then you WILL succeed. What way will you go?

Your opposition is the thing that keeps you worrying about the world, about your frailty of yourself in it, and your worthlessness. Your opposition is YOU. It is your ego. It is your irrationality and insecurity. It is the you that hides behind your fear and disillusioned ideas of truth. Not your attachment to Truth (Capital T).

Your opposition is the internal DEACH, that survives within the mind and perpetuates your attachment to the DEACH in the world. Falsehood and Fear understands that additional falsehood and fear are its friends, and it (the internal DEACH - the ego) will go to great extents to get you to submit to the world and your weakened mind. Your weakened mind is a by-product of your adherence to the fear.

Once fear is institutional, you will need the institutional establishment to protect you from it.

Once fear is internalize, you will need the internalize fear to protect you from yourself.

Rid yourself of fear and immobilization by choosing to ponder your every action, your every thought, and your every attachment. It is your fear that breeds more fear and more headache.

Do not let you Ego be your internal leader. Do not let your only true enemy be the focal point of your desires. Do not let your avowed enemy become your best of friends.

I give these words in faith, reason, intellect, and thought so that I may remember my own words and my own warning. All Praise be to the Creator of the Worlds, for without fear of Him and failure on a much greater scale, I would be too scared to face the falsehood in the world.

Zombies

2011-12-08T00:07:00.000-05:00

The Cycle of Dependency

2011-12-07T12:40:00.000-05:00

The World is Changing! Time for you to Change too! Revolution of the mind

2011-12-06T17:10:00.000-05:00

Study Awarness and Critical Thinking

2011-11-27T03:41:00.000-05:00

To those that Try

2011-11-25T12:20:00.000-05:00

I seek refuge in Allah from the evil of His creation and the Harm that falsehood can continue.

I recognize that the Biggest con is tricking those that try to believe into accepting something that is not of Allah, and say "This is from Allah".

I recognize that the threat of Shaityn is to lead man away. He is smarter than we, and knows our faults and faulty logic. He is an avowed enemy and convinces us through the whisper that "If this thing is beneficial in my own eyes then I will accept it, but if I don't like it then I won't", when indeed the desire to explain the fully explained is a damned desire.

25:29 "He indeed led me astray from the Reminder (this Quran) after it had come to me. And Shaitan (Satan) is ever a deserter to man in the hour of need."

I disagree that they (Hadith) are needed even a little, and here is why.

39:1 The revelation of the Qur'an is from Allah , the Exalted in Might, the Wise.

1. If the Quran is complete, clear, and contradiction free then there is nothing needed to explain it. 3:4 Before, as guidance for the people. And He revealed the Qur'an. Indeed, those who disbelieve in the verses of Allah will have a severe punishment, and Allah is exalted in Might, the Owner of Retribution.

2. the institution of rituals were established, within the context of the institution, therefore legitimizing it and perpetuating it. With the Hadith we are left with purity. We would have to again reflect on the revelation from ITS clear purity and reasoning. 38:1 Sad. By the Qur'an containing reminder...38:2But those who disbelieve are in pride and dissension. 2:170 And when it is said to them, "Follow what Allah has revealed," they say, "Rather, we will follow that which we found our fathers doing." Even though their fathers understood nothing, nor were they guided?

You have to question everything.

3. If the Quran did need an addendum, explanation, adornment then It would not be perfect. If it needed those things, then the adornment better be right. The very fact that you can have a "Weak" hadith shows that there is a "weakness" in the literature. Allah says "If it were not from Allah, then you would find in it much contradiction", in the case of hadith we do.

4:82 Then do they not reflect upon the Qur'an? If it had been from [any] other than Allah , they would have found within it much contradiction.

4. Hadith is mentioned in the Quran 28 times. Some are to warn you to accept "Any Hadith but this Hadith of Allah" or this the way of Allah - literally - (Allah's Sunnah).

[4:42, 4:78, 4:87, 4:140, 6:68, 7:185, 12:6, 12:21, 12:101, 12:111, 18:6, 20:9, 23:44, 31:6, 33:53, 34:19, 39:23, 45:6, 51:24, 52:34, 53:59, 56:81, 66:3, 68:44, 77:50, 79:15, 85:17, 88:1]

5. Any ritual that needs more ellaboration, which you can not find in the Quran, was never meant for you. Therefore the conditions, the rituals, and acts that you are practicing now mean nothing if they are not from the Quran and Allah - the word given to Muhammad - and perfected in its entirety.

If you say "This Quran is surely from Allah, is perfect, and easy to follow" and quickly say "but" after, you are now applying conditions to perfection, therefore calling perfection not perfect. Those that question the revelation: 40:4 No one disputes concerning the signs of Allah except those who disbelieve, so be not deceived by their [uninhibited] movement throughout the land.That is the main flaw in the reasoning for Hadith.

If the Hadith were perfect, or if Allah said they were or if He said "Follow the books and words not in this Quran" Then I would, but it is not mentioned anywhere. Quite the opposite. For instance: 40:83 And when their messengers came to them with clear proofs, they [merely] rejoiced in what they had of knowledge, but they were enveloped by what they used to ridicule. 40:84 And when they saw Our punishment, they said," We believe in Allah alone and disbelieve in that which we used to associate with Him."

Note Also that Muhammad made two mistakes that were corrected in the Quran. If he was corrected for mistakes, and was warned of deviance from the Quran, do you really think that he ever intended the Hadith to exist? Allah says 68:47 "Or have they [knowledge of] the unseen, so they write [it] down?" 66:1 O Prophet, why do you prohibit what Allah has made lawful for you, seeking the approval of your wives? And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.

Do you not think that the correction was not there on purpose. Seems to me that Allah is warning.

Do you think that Allah Created Man, the heavens, the earth, and all things but that He can't give us a simple, perfect, contradiction free book to follow?

As Allah says:

"What book do you judge by" - 68:36 -38 What is with you? How do you judge? Or do you have another scripture in which you learn, That indeed for you is whatever you choose? Or do you have oaths upon Us, extending until the Day of Resurrection, that indeed for you is whatever you judge?

3:109. Say: "If the ocean were ink the words of my Lord, sooner would the ocean be exhausted than would the words of my Lord, even if we added another ocean like it, for its aid."

(Do you really think Allah left something out? If you think you need a better explanation after this response then you should ask yourself if Allah Alone is sufficient for the believers. 2:115 And to Allah belong the east and the west, so wherever you turn yourselves or your faces there is the Face of Allah . Surely! Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures' needs, All-Knowing. 3:173 Those to whom hypocrites said, "Indeed, the people have gathered against you, so fear them." But it [merely] increased them in faith, and they said, "Sufficient for us is Allah , and the best Disposer of affairs.")

3:110. Say: "I am but a man like yourselves, the inspiration has come to me, that your Allah is one Allah. whoever expects to meet his Lord, let him work righteousness, and, in the worship of his Lord, admit no one as partner.

Righteousness (2:177) Belief (23 1-11, 70)

68:44 So leave Me, , with whoever denies the Qur'an. We will progressively lead them from where they do not know.

68: 51 And indeed, those who disbelieve would almost make you slip with their eyes when they hear the message, and they say, "Indeed, he is mad."

68:52 But it is not except a reminder to the worlds.

Allah's Message is Tried, True, and Straight:

4:115 And whoever contradicts and opposes the Messenger after the right path has been shown clearly to him, and follows other than the believers' way. We shall keep him in the path he has chosen, and burn him in Hell - what an evil destination.

95:7 Then what can, after this, contradict thee, as to the judgment (to come)?

This Quran is a favor and complete:

5:3 ... religion; so fear them not, but fear Me. This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion. But whoever ...

55:13 So which of the favors of your Lord would you deny?(x 31 times)

Would you accept anything after Allah has COMPLETED his favor upon you or do you submit.

40:35 "(Such) as dispute about the Signs of Allah, without any authority that hath reached them, grievous and odious (is such conduct) in the sight of Allah and of the Believers. Thus doth Allah, seal up every heart - of arrogant and obstinate Transgressors."

And Finally from the words of the inviter that was denied in Pharoah's Court:

40:38-44 The man who believed said further: "O my people! Follow me: I will lead you to the Path of Right.O my people! This life of the present is nothing but (temporary) convenience: It is the Hereafter that is the Home that will last. "He that works evil will not be requited but by the like thereof: and he that works a righteous deed - whether man or woman - and is a Believer- such will enter the Garden (of Bliss): Therein will they have abundance without measure. "And O my people! How (strange) it is for me to call you to Salvation while ye call me to the Fire! "Ye do call upon me to blaspheme against Allah, and to join with Him partners of whom I have no knowledge; and I call you to the Exalted in Power, Who forgives again and again!""Without doubt ye do call me to one who is not fit to be called to, whether in this world, or in the Hereafter; our return will be to Allah; and the Transgressors will be Companions of the Fire! "Soon will ye remember what I say to you (now), My (own) affair I commit to Allah: for Allah (ever) watches over His Servants."

I bid those that believe salams: Salamun Alaikum (6:54) and I pray for your speedy acceptance of Allah and the 1 guidance that he brings. DO NOT uphold falsehood and vain hearsay, as this is the way of the whisperers, and he will SURELY lead you astray. I hear a lot of confusion. I hear a lot of worry. Their is no fear or confusion with Allah, that's how you know that the words that I speak are True.

Do not be like those that will hear the Prophet say "Why have my people deserted the Quran"

25:30 And the Messenger (Muhammad SAW) will say: "O my Lord! Verily, my people deserted this Quran (neither listened to it, nor acted on its laws and orders).

The Correct Testimony (Shahada)

2011-11-25T02:12:00.000-05:00

Saeed Talpur - And I fully endorse this analysis

THE CORRECT TESTIMONY (SHAHADA)

The correct testimony has no name in it except the name of God for the following reasons:

FIRST

First and foremost, because it is the only Testimony authorized by God in the Quran.

"God bears witness that there is no god except He, and so do the angels and those who possess knowledge. Truthfully and equitably, there is no god but He, the Almighty, Most Wise" 3:18

The words "there is no god but God", which in Arabic are (La Ilaha Ila Allah), are the exact words which God Himself utters, also the angels and those who possess knowledge.

The majority of Muslims today are not satisfied with the Shahada given in 3:18 and they add to it the words: "and I bear witness that Muhammad is His messenger".

To add any words or names to the Testimony given by God is in fact to imply that the Testimony given by God in the Quran is incomplete, or that God forgot the second half of the Testimony! Needless to say, God never forgets!

We are commanded clearly in the Quran to follow the Quran and nothing else (see: Quran Alone). As a result, all those who claim to follow the Quran alone yet they still utter the shahada, which includes the name of the prophet Muhammad, are not being honest with themselves nor being honest with God.

SECOND

Many people are oblivious of the fact that the utterance of the Shahada is indeed an act of worship and not just a statement of fact. Consequently, whenever we utter the Shahada we are in fact performing one of the acts of worship of God.

The Quran states very clearly that all our worship practices must be devoted to the name of God alone:

"Say, "My Contact Prayers (Salat), all my worship practices, my life and my death, are all devoted absolutely to God alone, the Lord of the universe. "He has no partner. This is what I am commanded to believe, and I am the first to submit." 6:162-163

The words "all my worship practices" are very clear, they must all be devoted to the name of God alone.

The following Quranic verse also confirms this issue:

"Those who hope to meet their Lord shall work righteousness, and never include any one when they are in the act of worship of their Lord." 18:110

God's Greatness is far beyond human understanding, so much so that we are not to associate anything or anybody with the name of God.

"You shall worship God alone, do not associate anything with Him." 4:36

Note the words in 4:36: "do not associate anything"

and in 18:110 we have the word: "never include any one"

These words are very clear, they emphasize that we should never place the name of anything nor anybody next to the name of God, and certainly never utter any name other than the name of God when we are in an act of worship of God.

Also in the following verse we are told to dedicate all our religion (Shahada, Salat, Hajj …etc) to God alone:

"We sent down to you this scripture, truthfully; you shall worship God, devoting your religion to Him alone. Absolutely, the religion shall be devoted to God alone. Those who set up idols beside Him say: "We idolize them only to bring us closer to God; for they are in a better position!" God will judge them regarding their disputes. God does not guide such liars, disbelievers" 39:2-3

We note that the message of devoting all the religion to God alone is repeated twice.

It is also interesting that all those who praise the name of Muhammad day and night say that they do this because God loves Muhammad so much and therefore this will bring them closer to God! Sadly, by doing so, they demonstrate how they are among those spoken of in the following Quranic words:

"Those who set up idols beside Him say, "We idolize them only to bring us closer to God; for they are in a better position!" 39:3

In reply to this claim, God says:

"God does not guide such liars, disbelievers" 39:3

THIRD

According to the Quranic definition (2:285), the concept of Al-Iman (Belief/Faith) comprises belief in the following items:

1- God

2- His Angels

3- His Scripture

4- His messengers

Belief in all four items is required in order to qualify a person to be a believer. However there is no testimony required of the believer except for the first of these items (God).

There are those who try to justify their inclusion of the name of Muhammad in their Testimony by saying that when the Quran was revealed and Muhammad was sent by God, the Jews and Christians rejected him as a true messenger of God, and thus they say that they testify that Muhammad is the messenger of God to proclaim their acceptance of him, as opposed to the Jews and Christians who rejected him.

This argument is clearly flawed. It is clear that the Jews and Christians also reject the Quran as being the true word of God, hence and if these Muslims are sincere in merely wanting to proclaim their belief in what the Jews and Christians have rejected, then they should (by the same logic and motives) utter an additional testimony to say:

"There is no god but God and the Quran is the word of God" …. but do they?

Why aren't any of these Muslims uttering such a testimony to declare their acceptance of the Quran?

In reality, their disguised motive is one of idolizing Muhammad and placing his name alongside God's name in everything.

Indeed, God invites us to believe in the Quran, believe in Muhammad, and also believe in all the angels, Scripture and other messengers. As mentioned, God does not command us to testify to any of these. The only Testimony sanctioned by God is dedicated to the name of God Almighty alone. The reason for that is that the articles of belief (belief in God, the angels, scripture and messengers) are matters for the heart. However, the utterance of the Testimony (as mentioned above) is an act of worship.

FOURTH

The fourth reason why the correct Testimony must contain the name of God and no one else is the fact that we are commanded in the Quran not to make any distinction between any of God's messengers:

"The messenger has believed in what was sent down to him from his Lord, and so did the believers. They believe in God, His angels, His scripture, and His messengers: "We make no distinction among any of His messengers." They say, "We hear, and we obey. Forgive us, our Lord. To You is the ultimate destiny" 2:285

Muhammad is indeed the messenger of God , but so is Abraham, Moses, Jesus, David and all the others. We should not make special preference for Muhammad because we are told in the Quran that he is only God's servant and he is not any different from any of the other messengers of God.

"Say (O Muhammad), "I am not different from other messengers. I have no idea what will happen to me or to you. I only follow what is revealed to me. I am no more than a profound warner" 46:9

Those who insist on making Muhammad greater than all the other messengers of God and call on him with such preferential titles such as "Sayeduna Muhammad" (Our Lord Muhammad), and "Sayed Al Khalq" (the Lord of all creation) and "Ashraf Al- Mursaleen" (the Most honourable of all the messengers), and "habib Allah" (God's sweetheart!) .... etc, are those who in their blind idol worship of Muhammad have rejected God's words in the Quran, such as:

"Say (O Muhammad), "I am not different from other messengers"

and:

"Say (O Muhammad), "I am no more than a human like you …" 18:110

It is indeed interesting how God places words in the Quran! the words above which confirm that Muhammad was only human like anyone else are followed in the same verse by the words: "never include any one when they are in the act of worship of their Lord.".

Moreover, if the ones who utter a shahada for Muhammad say they do so in order to testify to his messengership (as they claim), and when they also insist that they do not make any distinction between God's messengers, the question which they need to answer is: why don’t they ever say:

"There is no god but Allah and Moses is His messenger" ?

Moses too was the messenger of God, why do they not testify to that?

A small advice here to the reader: Never go into a masjid and say these words …… the Muslims there would probably stone you to death!

FIFTH

The Quran speaks of another testimony. This other testimony is only spoken by the hypocrites:

"When the hypocrites come to you they say "We bear witness that you are the messenger of God" God knows that you are His messenger, and God bears witness that the hypocrites are liars" 63:1

From this verse we note a very significant observation. This observation becomes clear when we examine three important verbs in the verse:

1- The hypocrites saying "we bear witness that you are the messenger of God"

2- "God knows that you are His messenger"

3- "God bears witness that the hypocrites are liars"

We note that the verse starts with the words "bear witness" and ends with the same words, so why does God use the word "knows" in the middle of the verse? Why did God not say (God bears witness that you are His messenger)? Since nothing in the Quran is a coincidence, we must indeed be alerted to God"s deliberate choice of the word "knows".

Could it be that God is telling us that the Testimony He prescribed for us does not include these words? Surely if God had said (God bears witness that you are His messenger) then this would have constituted an integral part of the Testimony.

The fact that God declines from saying "bear witness that you are His messenger" and instead says "knows that you are His messenger" confirms that the only lawful Testimony authorized by God is for the name of God alone (3:18), and that all other testimonies are false and are acts of idol worship.

SIXTH

We are given in the Quran a great criteria for distinguishing the sincere believers from the hypocrites. In 39:45, we are told that those who do not believe will not be able to proclaim God’s name on its own, they must include the name of their idol/s in order to be satisfied:

"When God alone is mentioned, the hearts of those who do not believe in the Hereafter shrink with aversion. But when others are mentioned beside Him, they become satisfied" 39:45

The Testimony is one such criteria where true believers are tested in the purity of their faith. The true believers will have no problem uttering the correct Testimony which is given in the Quran (3:18) and which has no name in it except the name of God. On the other hand, the ones who have set up idols besides God, will never be satisfied with the Quranic Testimony on its own. They will not be able to utter the Quranic Shahada without adding to it a further testimony for Muhammad.

Study Awarness and Critical Thinking.m4v

2011-11-23T18:18:00.000-05:00

For those "Muslims" who Know Arabic........

2011-11-22T00:46:00.000-05:00

Salat and Guidance: A precursor to questions about Salat according to the Quran Alone

2011-11-21T13:52:00.002-05:00

[2:3-5] who believe in the unseen, observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), and from our provisions to them, they give to charity. And they believe in what was revealed to you, and in what was revealed before you, and with regard to the Hereafter, they are absolutely certain. These are guided by their Lord; these are the winners.

[2:43] You shall observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) and give the obligatory charity (Zakat), and bow down with those who bow down.

[2:45] You shall seek help through steadfastness and the Contact Prayers (Salat). This is difficult indeed, but not so for the reverent.

[2:153] O you who believe, seek help through steadfastness and the Contact Prayers (salat). Allah is with those who steadfastly persevere.

[29:45] "Observe the Salat (Contact Prayers) for it prohibits evil and vice."

[15:98-99] "You shall glorify and praise your Lord and be with the prostrators, and worship your Lord until you attain certainty."

[35:29-30] "Surely, those who recite the book of God, observe the Contact Prayers and are charitable both discreetly and openly can hope for an investment that never loses. He will recompense them generously and will multiply His blessings upon them. He is Forgiving, Appreciative."

[29:45] "You shall recite what is revealed to you of the Scripture, and observe the Salat (Contact Prayers), for the Salat prohibits evil and vice. But the remembrance of God is the most important objective. God is aware of all that you do."

[20:14] "I am God, there is no other God but Me, you shall worship Me and observe the Salat (Contact Prayers) to commemorate Me."

[4:43] "O you who believe, do not observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) while intoxicated, till you ( so that you ) know what you are saying."

[5:6] "O you who believe, when you observe the Salat (Contact Prayers) you shall wash your faces, wash your arms to the elbows, wipe your heads and wash your feet to the ankles."

[6:162-163] "Say, "My Salat (Contact Prayers), my worship practices, my life and my death, are all devoted absolutely to God alone, the Lord of the universe. He has no partner. This is what I am commanded to believe, and I am the first to submit."

[23:2] Successful indeed are the believers; who are reverent during their Salat (Contact Prayers)."

[2:43] You shall observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) and give the obligatory charity (Zakat), and bow down with those who bow down.

[2:150] "Wherever you go, you shall turn your face (during Salat) towards the Sacred Masjid; wherever you might be, you shall turn your faces (during Salat) towards it."

[2:238] "You shall consistently observe the Salat (Contact Prayers), especially the middle prayer, and stand before God in submission."

[3:39] "The angels called to him as he was standing praying in the sanctuary: "Allah gives you good news of John; a believer in the word of God, honorable, moral, and a righteous prophet."

[4:102] "When you are with them, and lead the Salat (Contact Prayer) for them, let a group of them stand with you and let them hold their weapons, and let them stand behind you as you prostrate. Then, let the other group that has not prayed take their turn praying with you, while the others stand guard and hold their weapons."

[22:26] "We appointed Abraham to establish the Shrine: "You shall not idolize any other god beside Me, and purify My shrine for those who visit it, those who live near it, and those who bow and prostrate."

[48:29] "Muhammad-the messenger of God, and those with him are harsh and stern against the disbelievers, but kind and compassionate amongst themselves. You see them bowing and prostrating, as they seek God's blessings and approval."

[29:45] "You shall recite what is revealed to you of the Scripture (the Quran), and observe the Salat (Contact Prayers)."

[3:113] "They are not all the same; among the followers of the scripture there are those who are righteous. They recite God's revelations through the night while prostrating."

[16:98] "When you read the Quran, you shall seek refuge in God from Satan the rejected."

[4:102] " ...... then when they have performed their prostration (fa iza sajadu) let them fall to the rear and let another group come that has not worshipped yet and let them worship with you ......"

[2:239] "Under unusual circumstances, you may pray while walking or riding. Once you are safe, you shall commemorate God as He taught you what you never knew."

[18:27] "You shall recite what is revealed to you of your Lord's Scripture (the Quran). Nothing shall abrogate His words, and you shall not find any other source beside it."

[56:74] "You shall glorify the name of your Lord, the Great".

[87:1] "Glorify the name of your Lord, the Most High".

[73:20] Your Lord knows that you meditate during two-thirds of the night, or half of it, or one-third of it, and so do some of those who believed with you. GOD has designed the night and the day, and He knows that you cannot always do this. He has pardoned you. Instead, you shall read what you can of the Quran. He knows that some of you may be ill, others may be traveling in pursuit of GOD's provisions, and others may be striving in the cause of GOD. You shall read what you can of it, and observe the contact prayers (Salat), give the obligatory Charity (Zakat), and lend GOD a loan of righteousness. Whatever good you send ahead on behalf of your souls, you will find it at GOD far better and generously rewarded. And implore GOD for forgiveness. Allah is Forgiver, Most Merciful.

[50:40] "During the night you shall glorify Him, and after prostrating."

[11:114] You shall observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) at both ends of the day, and during the night. The righteous works wipe out the evil works. This is a reminder for those who would take heed.

[17:78] You shall observe the Contact Prayer (salat) when the sun declines from its highest point at noon, as it moves towards sunset. You shall also observe (the recitation of) the Quran at dawn. (Reciting) the Quran at dawn is witnessed.

[62:9-10] "O you who believe, when the Salat is announced on Friday, you shall hasten to the commemoration of God, and drop all business. This is better for you, if you only knew. Once the prayer is completed, you may spread through the land to seek God's bounties, and continue to remember God frequently, that you may succeed."

[2:143] "We appointed the Qiblah which you formerly observed only that We may know those who follow the messenger from those who turn back on their heels."

[2:149] "Wherever you go, you shall turn your face (during Salat) towards the Sacred Masjid. This is the truth from your Lord. God is never unaware of anything you all do."

[2:144] "We have seen you (O Muhammad) turning your face about the sky (searching for the right direction). We now assign a Qiblah that is pleasing to you. Henceforth, you shall turn your face towards the Sacred Masjid."

[17:110] Say, "Call Him GOD, or call Him the Most Gracious; whichever name you use, to Him belongs the best names." You shall not utter your Contact Prayers (Salat) too loudly, nor secretly; use a moderate tone.

[7:31] O children of Adam, you shall be clean and dress nicely when you go to the masjid. And eat and drink moderately; Surely, He does not love the gluttons.

[4:43] O you who believe, do not observe the Contact Prayers (SALAT) while intoxicated, so that you know what you are saying. Nor after sexual orgasm without bathing, unless you are on the road, traveling; if you are ill or traveling, or you had urinary or fecal-related excretion (such as gas), or contacted the women (sexually), and you cannot find water, you shall observe Tayammum (dry ablution) by touching clean dry soil, then wiping your faces and hands therewith. GOD is Pardoner, Forgiver.

[4:101] When you travel, during war, you commit no error by shortening your Contact Prayers (salat), if you fear that the disbelievers may attack you. Surely, the disbelievers are your ardent enemies.

[4:103] Once you complete your Contact Prayer (salat), you shall remember GOD while standing, sitting, or lying down. Once the war is over, you shall observe the Contact Prayers (salat); the Contact Prayers (salat) are decreed for the believers at specific times.

[4:142] The hypocrites think that they are deceiving GOD, but He is the One who leads them on. When they get up for the Contact Prayer (salat), they get up lazily. That is because they only show off in front of the people, and rarely do they think of GOD.

[5:6] O you who believe, when you observe the Contact Prayers (salat), you shall: (1) wash your faces, (2) wash your arms to the elbows, (3) wipe your heads, and (4) wash your feet to the ankles. If you were unclean due to sexual orgasm, you shall bathe. If you are ill, or traveling, or had any digestive excretion (urinary, fecal, or gas), or had (sexual) contact with the women, and you cannot find water, you shall observe the dry ablution (Tayammum) by touching clean dry soil, then rubbing your faces and hands. GOD does not wish to make the religion difficult for you; He wishes to cleanse you and to perfect His blessing upon you, that you may be appreciative.

[5:55] Your real allies are GOD and His messenger, and the believers who observe the Contact Prayers (salat), and give the obligatory charity (Zakat), and they bow down.

[5:91] The devil wants to provoke animosity and hatred among you through intoxicants and gambling, and to distract you from remembering Allah, and from observing the Contact Prayers (salat). Will you then refrain?

[5:106] O you who believe, witnessing a will when one of you is dying shall be done by two equitable people among you. If you are traveling, then two others may do the witnessing. After observing the Contact Prayer (salat), let the witnesses swear by GOD, to alleviate your doubts: "We will not use this to attain personal gains, even if the testator is related to us. Nor will we conceal GOD's testimony. Otherwise, we would be sinners."

[6:72] "And to observe the Contact Prayers (salat), and to reverence Him - He is the One before whom you will be summoned (for the reckoning)."

[7:170] Those who uphold the scripture, and observe the Contact Prayers (salat), we never fail to recompense the pious.

[9:18] The only people to frequent GOD's masjids are those who believe in GOD and the Last Day, and observe the Contact Prayers (salat), and give the obligatory charity (Zakat), and do not fear except GOD. These will surely be among the guided ones.

[9:54] What prevented the acceptance of their spending is that they disbelieved in GOD and His messenger, and when they observed the Contact Prayers (Salat), they observed them lazily, and when they gave to charity, they did so grudgingly.

[9:71] The believing men and women are allies of one another. They advocate righteousness and forbid evil, they observe the Contact Prayers (salat) and give the obligatory charity (Zakat), and they obey GOD and His messenger. These will be showered by GOD's mercy. GOD is Almighty, Most Wise.

[10:87] We inspired Moses and his brother. "Maintain your homes in Egypt for the time being, turn your homes into synagogues, and maintain the Contact Prayers (salat). Give good news to the believers."

[14:31] Exhort My servants who believed to observe the Contact Prayers (salat), and to give (to charity) from our provisions to them, secretly and publicly, before a day comes where there is neither trade, nor nepotism.

[19:59] After them, He substituted generations who lost the Contact Prayers (salat), and pursued their lusts. They will suffer the consequences.

[20:132] You shall enjoin your family to observe the contact prayers (salat), and steadfastly persevere in doing so. We do not ask you for any provisions; we are the ones who provide for you. The ultimate triumph belongs to the righteous.

[21:73] We made them imams who guided in accordance with our commandments, and we taught them how to work righteousness, and how to observe the Contact Prayers (salat) and the obligatory charity (Zakat). To us, they were devoted worshipers.

[22:35] They are the ones whose hearts tremble upon mentioning GOD, they steadfastly persevere during adversity, they observe the Contact Prayers (salat), and from our provisions to them, they give to charity.

[22:41] They are those who, if we appointed them as rulers on earth, they would establish the Contact Prayers (salat) and the obligatory charity (Zakat), and would advocate righteousness and forbid evil. GOD is the ultimate ruler.

[24:37] People who are not distracted by business or trade from commemorating GOD; they observe the Contact Prayers (salat), and give the obligatory charity (Zakat), and they are conscious of the day when the minds and the eyes will be horrified.

[29:45] You shall recite what is revealed to you of the scripture, and observe the Contact Prayers (salat), for the Contact Prayers prohibit evil and vice. But the remembrance of GOD (through salat) is the most important objective. GOD knows everything you do.

[30:31] You shall submit to Him, reverence Him, observe the Contact Prayers (salat), and - whatever you do - do not ever fall into idol worship.

[35:29] Surely, those who recite the book of GOD, observe the Contact Prayers (salat), and from our provisions to them they spend - secretly and publicly - are engaged in an investment that never loses.

[42:38] They respond to their Lord by observing the Contact Prayers (salat). Their affairs are decided after due consultation among themselves, and from our provisions to them they give (to charity).

[74:41-44] About the guilty. "What brought you to this retribution?" They will say, "We did not observe the contact prayers (Salat). "We did not feed the poor.

[74:1-7] O you hidden secret. Come out and warn. Extol your Lord. Purify your garment. Forsake what is wrong. Be content with your lot. Steadfastly commemorate your Lord.

[98:5] All that was asked of them was to worship GOD, devoting the religion absolutely to Him alone, observe the contact prayers (salat), and give the obligatory charity (Zakat). Such is the perfect religion.

[10:9-10] "As for those who believe and lead a righteous life, their Lord guides them by virtue of their belief. Rivers will flow beneath them in the garden of bliss. Their prayer therein is, 'Be You Glorified our God' their greeting therein is, 'Peace' and the ending/conclusion of their prayer is, Praise be to God, Lord of the universe"

[6:114] "Shall I seek other than God as a source of law, when He has revealed to you this book fully detailed?"

[16:89] "We have revealed to you this book to provide explanations for everything."

[6:114]"......He has revealed to you this book fully detailed."

Are Women Equal in Islam, According to the Quran? The Answer lies in an analysis and with reason.

2011-11-21T10:22:00.004-05:00

The question arises, not often but often enough, about the position of women in Islam. In the Quran, since it is our ONLY source of religious guidance that is mandatory, we must turn to look for women and their roles in Islam. Before I go into detail about a specific issue within the text, and most importantly, the misunderstanding that is presumed from the reading of the Quran, I will express to you what the Quran says about people in general.

[4:124] As for those who lead a righteous life, male or female, while believing, they enter Paradise; without the slightest injustice.

[16:97] Anyone who works righteousness, male or female, while believing, we will surely grant them a happy life in this world, and we will surely pay them their full recompense (on the Day of Judgment) for their righteous works.

[40:40] Whoever commits a sin is requited for just that, and whoever works righteousness - male or female - while believing, these will enter Paradise wherein they receive provisions without any limits.

[33:35] The submitting men, the submitting women, the believing men, the believing women, the obedient men, the obedient women, the truthful men, the truthful women, the steadfast men, the steadfast women, the reverent men, the reverent women, the charitable men, the charitable women, the fasting men, the fasting women, the chaste men, the chaste women, and the men who commemorate GOD frequently, and the commemorating women; GOD has prepared for them forgiveness and a great recompense.

[49:13] O people, we created you from the same male and female, and rendered you distinct peoples and tribes, that you may recognize one another. The best among you in the sight of GOD is the most righteous. GOD is Omniscient, Cognizant.

---- Men and women are equally inclined to justice from their creator
---- Allah does not make men better than women
---- Belief and Submission are reliant on Allah's guidance whether a man or a woman

Now, the rest of this is my personal opinion. I have come to an understanding of 2:282 in accordance with my implementation of reason and guidance.

The question comes up, sometimes, "Why does Allah say that there must be 2 female witnesses for every man? Why aren't women equal?". This is in reference to

Quran 2:282

O you who have believed, when you contract a debt for a specified term, write it down. And let a scribe write [it] between you in justice. Let no scribe refuse to write as Allah has taught him. So let him write and let the one who has the obligation dictate. And let him fear Allah , his Lord, and not leave anything out of it. But if the one who has the obligation is of limited understanding or weak or unable to dictate himself, then let his guardian dictate in justice. And bring to witness two witnesses from among your men. And if there are not two men [available], then a man and two women from those whom you accept as witnesses - so that if one of the women errs, then the other can remind/support her. And let not the witnesses refuse when they are called upon. And do not be [too] weary to write it, whether it is small or large, for its [specified] term. That is more just in the sight of Allah and stronger as evidence and more likely to prevent doubt between you, except when it is an immediate transaction which you conduct among yourselves. For [then] there is no blame upon you if you do not write it. And take witnesses when you conclude a contract. Let no scribe be harmed or any witness. For if you do so, indeed, it is [grave] disobedience in you. And fear Allah . And Allah teaches you. And Allah is Knowing of all things.

Let me be serious first.

If their are witnesses needed, as in the case of some sort of contract or agreement, then we would expect to find intelligent, truthful, and responsible person to be our witnesses. In this case the Quran gives us a guide to establishing that with 2 men.

Why then does the Quran not then only make it necessary to have 1 women for a missing man?

My personal opinion is that it is a protection for the women to be supported by another, and that it lowers the risk of coercion the man may have on the 1 woman, and that it offers a clear sense of protection in many circumstances.

For instance, let's say that a dispute arises, and that the witnesses are to be recalled in order to give their testimony. It is absolutely paramount that the witnesses be protected from deceit, that they will be protected from malice affliction from parties that they bear witness against, and that they should be free to exercise their responsibilities without false retribution. If a witness is tainted, IE the man (if there was one man and 2 women) then the man may try to force the believing woman to lie. He may try to bribe her with protection, or he may be aggressive in order to force his will, thus oppressing her and causing corruption in the land. This is less likely to occur in the situation of two men since they were clearly equal when chosen for the witnessing act. If there were two women, one woman may support the other and vise verse, therefore limiting the oppressiveness that the man could have had on the lone woman. In this case the women are supporting each other and act as a reminder to one another, whether that reminder is a fight against oppression or in a time of serenity.

Now let's thing about this comically and in light of a real world situation.

Let's say that 2 men and 2 women are out at dinner, and one woman needs to use the facilities. The other woman usually goes with her in order to support her, keep her company, and give the men some time to speak as well. In the United States culture this is very common for women and is even seen as comical to some that don't understand the psychology of the act. Men hardly ever accompany each other to the restroom because they are more likely able to protect themselves in the situation (or it can just be a conditional norm placed inside of western values). We don't say that the women are lesser because they support each other differently, or because they are accompanied by one another.

So, in conclusion, I believe that the divine decree for 2 women witnesses for every man is in fact a protection for the women, a supporting mechanism for the women, and a protection of the actual agreement. This is a means to keep the mechanism of contracts secure from deceit and falsehood.

I do not claim to know the words of Allah, the meaning behind the words, nor the implication of the practices dictated by Allah. I only offer my opinion based on the Quranic proof, sound reason, and reverse engineering life experiences.

All praise be to Allah, the ruler, Sustainer, and Creator of All things.

Spreading the Sickness. A talk about AIDS and the youth!!!!

2011-11-18T00:37:00.000-05:00

A Simple Conversation

2011-11-16T09:05:00.000-05:00

My Body

2011-11-14T00:06:00.000-05:00

Free-will, Perseverance, God's Will, and Guidance.mov

2011-11-12T23:22:00.000-05:00

2011-11-12T18:15:00.001-05:00

My Body
Charles Galloway

This is my body. There are many like it, but this one is mine.

My body is my physical tool. I must maters it, as I must master my thoughts.

My body, without me, is useless. In this world, I am useless without it.

I must use my body to endure all obstacles. I must be true to it, and I must care for it. I must deal straight with thing that seek to harm it.

My body and I know that what counts in this world is not the trials that we go through, the pain we feel, or the pleasures that are temporary.

We know that it is the experience that counts.

We will live in and persevere on the earth.

My body is human, even as I, be cause it is in my care. Thus, I will learn it as a brother.

I will learn it’s weaknesses, its strengths, it parts, its senses, and its call.

I will ever guard it against the ravages of weather and damage as I will ever guard my mind and spirit.

I will keep my body clean and ready. We will become part of each other.

We Will…….

Before the Creator, I swear this Creed.

My body and myself are the defenders of Truth and Justice.

We are the masters of our vain desires.

We are the patient and honest.

So be it, Until death is manifest and there is no more struggle, but Peace!

Peace.

Free Will, Perseverance, Allah's Will, and Allah's Paths

2011-11-12T17:42:00.001-05:00

Essentially - You do not know if that goal or "desire" that you have is bad or good. You do not know if that struggle is preparing you for something far better. You do not now what thing God has waiting for you around the corner.

What you do know is that you cannot possible be guided by your own whims because you did not create the world that you are trying to navigate. You already know that you need a map, and you know that the map is always right.

Maybe those that are successful in this world are not in the hereafter.

Also, if you are sure that this is the right thing for you then continue to be patient and persevere. Continue to strive in the way of God. Continue to be humble and seek His infinite guidance.

God has an incomprehensible plan for all of us. We do not know what is the experience that we will face around each bend. We only know that we have to continually decide.

"How come I cannot manifest THIS plan of mine?" Maybe the problem with the plan is that it is yours. Maybe God is protecting you from your own vain desires. Maybe you are being prepared for far greater. Maybe you will need other believers to strengthen your plan. Maybe you are not ready. Maybe God is warning you. God does indeed know best. All praise be to God, who is the BEST of Planners.

Another thing to consider is............If others are doing it easily it may be because they are using the right tools for the job. Maybe their vain desires are the tool that makes them 'appear' successful. Maybe they are guided, but are meant to do it.

No Quotes, except "How come I cannot manifest THIS plan of mine?", Just Me

Abrogation

2011-11-09T17:15:00.001-05:00

Darkness

2011-11-09T17:15:00.000-05:00

Inviting Ignorance into your life

2011-11-07T15:50:00.000-05:00

Atheism, Agnosticism, Religiousity, Spiritualism and the Quran

2011-11-07T15:49:00.000-05:00

Response to MuslimVlogGuy's Last Video On Quranists

2011-11-07T15:48:00.000-05:00

Conformity

2011-11-07T11:44:00.000-05:00

Sorrows, Sorries, and Sour

2011-10-31T13:44:00.001-04:00

It is another time to purge. I hope to God that He opens his doors to heaven for me, that I have proven myself on his testing bed. I hope that my intentions and actions have showed my dedication to Truth and fight in the face of falsehood. Sometimes that fight can push you to the breaking point, and other times you can absorb the fight into the very core of your being. I hope that my absorption of the bad has not tainted my soul and my mind for ever. I am no dummy, and I know for a fact that the purity of my mind and soul has been adjusted to fit the world that I continue to strive in. I pray that I do not become one with the world, and for this purpose I write this today. I have spent my life trying to help, understanding the cost and risks of being a man with a helping hand. Sometimes I get stuck in the mud, and then sometimes I keep it moving with a smile. When I allow the feelings and the hopes of the needy to get attached to my core, I like the other person, begin balancing ourselves out with one another. If I attach myself to someone that desires less, settles for less, and dreams of less then I, inadvertently, become less of the man that I am. I begin to identify with their dream. I begin to identify with their hopes, that is until I wake up from the stupor and smell the situation for what it is. I have so much love for so many people that it makes life difficult. I find difficulty walking away from situations that can only lead me away from my ultimate goal. I find myself pulling away from the friends, women, and family of old in various ways because they are a pull to my calling. What I mean is that they pull at the fabric of change and progress that I weave, and that which has been put inside of me. I know for a fact that I am to be a reformer of minds, conduct, and mindfulness and that this reformation of others must first happen inside of me. When I withdraw from you, all of you, it is in order to better myself and you. When I hear the call to change my situation, I do so knowing that your situation will benefit as well. I recognize when my time with you is done, and I recognize often that my presence is going to hinder you of the essence of your being. My will and my drive is strong enough to derail any person without an equal will or drive. For this reason I surround myself by very few, and those that I do are typically strong enough to handle my abrupt release. Those that stay with me for life do so by remaining vigilant in their progress through life, and always remain tirelessly independent against my will to provide for them. I am deeply sorry for those that have been swayed by the waves that I have made in their lives, but I must move with the current that I see and feel beneath my feet. I am sorrowful for leaving behind those that I love deeply for something so unsure as the rest of my life. I am sour, indeed sour inside, at myself for your involvement in my life and in your witnessing of my weaknesses. But I know that everything happens for a reason, and our reason for crossing patterns are paramount in the very person that I consider myself. With this I take my leave of the environment that I previously placed myself, and with God's help I seek to better the situation of my heart, mind, body, spirit, and world impact. If and when I have or will hurt you, do know that I seek not your approval, but that I seek your forgiveness. Before I give up the ghosts, I intend to show you why I think I made the right decision. Compare your world view from before you met me with that which you have now. Allow yourself to think of me in the most negative manor possible, so that you can get out the feelings of sourness inside of you soonest. Remember me for all that I said and tried to do. You are a witness to my heart and I am forever indebted to you for being in my life. I have not always acted in a way that shows my job as a servant of God. I am deeply deeply disappointed in some of the actions over the last two and a half years, and I seek refuge in my Creator for the wrongs that I have done over this period of time and before. I am ashamed that I have acted in such a way, that shows my utter lack of empathy towards and about people, my environment, and my drive in life. I have let some of you down and have carried some of you in my path. I am sorry for the way you have been treated/mistreated, used/misused, led/ misled as a cause of me. Please take my apology and apply it to the wrongs that you feel in your heart about me. I will pray for you daily, from the bottom of my heart. Respectfully your in God's infinitive wisdom, TeddyNo Quotes, Just Me

Inviting Ignorance into your life

2011-10-29T12:24:00.000-04:00

Sanctuary Mosque

2011-10-28T12:22:00.000-04:00

Congregation of Muslims

2011-10-26T20:34:00.000-04:00

Passion Pit - The Reeling

2011-10-25T23:20:00.001-04:00

Two Door Cinema Club - Something Good Can Work

2011-10-25T23:20:00.000-04:00

Foster The People - Pumped Up Kicks

2011-10-25T23:19:00.000-04:00

Bigotry, Racism, Bias, and false understanding

2011-10-25T21:30:00.000-04:00

Belief, Tradition, Culture, Religion....... what are you following

2011-10-25T19:51:00.001-04:00

Iron 883 - for now- Summer 2011

2011-10-25T19:51:00.000-04:00

Just an introduction

2011-10-25T19:50:00.001-04:00

Qur'an Only Muslims You are NOT Alone

2011-10-25T19:50:00.000-04:00

Exploration of Hadith Chains

2011-10-25T19:49:00.001-04:00

Intro to Sanctuary Mosque and Quranists Jummah

2011-10-25T19:49:00.000-04:00

Change: Diversity in America

2011-10-25T19:48:00.000-04:00

Fundamental attribution error

2011-10-25T19:47:00.000-04:00

Fundamental Attribution Error applied in practice

2011-10-25T19:26:00.001-04:00

A comparison of post

2011-09-27T18:07:00.002-04:00

Does it make you anger when someone misrepresents you? Would you put up with it?

Let me give a clear picture of what I am talking about.

I will give you an idea of PUBLISHED work that breaks the rule of knowledge and thinking.

Here is the first one, a spoof of sorts.

Black Ghetto Rules to Live By – Written as a spoof from a Real Asshole

FOR a long time, I let my hopes for a decent outcome in Black America triumph over what I had learned reporting from America during its civil war. Those hopes vanished last summer. So, I'd like to offer President Obama my updated rules of Black Ghetto reporting, which also apply to diplomacy, in hopes they'll help him figure out what to do next in Black America.

Rule 1: What people tell you in private in the Black Ghetto is irrelevant. All that matters is what they will defend in public in their own language. Anything said to you in English, in private, doesn't count. In Washington, officials lie in public and tell the truth off the record. In the Ghetto, leaders say what they really believe in public and tell you what you want to hear in private.

Rule 2: Any reporter or police officer wanting to serve in Black America should have to take a test, consisting of one question: "Do you think the shortest distance between two points is a straight line?" If you answer yes, you can't go to the Ghetto. You can serve in the suburbs, rural areas or white neighborhoods — not the Ghetto.

Rule 3: If you can't explain something to Black American with a conspiracy theory, then don't try to explain it at all — they won't believe it.

Rule 4: In the Black America, never take a concession, except out of the mouth of the person doing the conceding. If I had a dollar for every time someone agreed to recognize the law on behalf of the persons in charge, I could paper my walls.

Rule 5: Never lead your story out of Detroit, DC or New York with Gang Violence; it will always be over before the next morning's paper.

Rule 6: In the Black Ghetto, the extremists go all the way, and the moderates tend to just go away.

Rule 7: The most oft-used expression by moderate Blacks is: "We were just about to stand up to the bad guys when you stupid cops did that stupid thing. Had you stupid cops not done that stupid thing, we would have stood up, but now it's too late. It's all your fault for being so stupid."

Rule 8: Gang wars in the Ghetto are rarely about ideas — like local economics vs. Education. They are about which group gets to rule. So, yes, Black America is having gang wars as we once did. But there is no Abe Lincoln in this war. It's the South vs. the South.

Rule 9: In Black Ghetto tribal politics there is rarely a happy medium. When one side is weak, it will tell you, "I'm weak, how can I compromise?" And when it's strong, it will tell you, "I'm strong, why should I compromise?"

Rule 10: Ghetto gang wars end in one of three ways: a) like the U.S. civil war, with one side vanquishing the other; b) like the Cyprus civil war, with a hard partition and a wall dividing the parties; or c) like the Lebanon civil war, with a soft partition under an iron fist (Syria) that keeps everyone in line. Gangs used to be the iron fist in the Ghetto. Now it is the Cops. If we don't want to play that role, the Ghetto gang wars will end with A or B.

Rule 11: The most underestimated emotion in black politics is humiliation. The black-white conflict, for instance, is not just about borders. White’s mere existence is a daily humiliation to Blacks, who can't understand how, if they have the superior thought, Whites can be so powerful. CNN and MSNBC editor, Bobo, said it best when he recently told the Swiss weekly Die Weltwoche: "It gnaws at the people in the Black Ghetto that such a small group as Whites, with only about x million people, can defeat the black nation with its x people. That hurts our collective ego. The Black problem is in the genes of every Black. The White’s problem is that it does not understand this."

Rule 12: Thus, the Whites will always win, and the Blacks will always make sure they never enjoy it. Everything else is just commentary.

Rule 13: Our first priority is democracy, but the Black’s first priority is "justice." The oft-warring Blacks are all wounded souls, who really have been hurt by slavery, by hispanic settlements on Ghetto land, by Black rulers and gangs, and, most of all, by each other in endless gang wars. For the Ghettos long-abused women, power is first and foremost a vehicle to get justice. Ditto the children. For the minority educated, poverty in the Ghetto is a vehicle of injustice. For us, democracy is all about protecting minority rights. For them, power is first about consolidating majority rights and getting justice.

Rule 14: The Black historian boboobo had it right: "Great powers should never get involved in the politics of Black People."

Rule 15: Whether it is Black-White peace or democracy in the Ghetto, you can't want it more than they do.

That was horrible and bad. Let's look at the real thing. Not to far from this.

Mideast Rules to Live By – Friedman (New York Times, 2001)

FOR a long time, I let my hopes for a decent outcome in Iraq triumph over what I had learned reporting from Lebanon during its civil war. Those hopes vanished last summer. So, I'd like to offer President Bush my updated rules of Middle East reporting, which also apply to diplomacy, in hopes they'll help him figure out what to do next in Iraq.

Rule 1: What people tell you in private in the Middle East is irrelevant. All that matters is what they will defend in public in their own language. Anything said to you in English, in private, doesn't count. In Washington, officials lie in public and tell the truth off the record. In the Mideast, officials say what they really believe in public and tell you what you want to hear in private.

Rule 2: Any reporter or U.S. Army officer wanting to serve in Iraq should have to take a test, consisting of one question: "Do you think the shortest distance between two points is a straight line?" If you answer yes, you can't go to Iraq. You can serve in Japan, Korea or Germany — not Iraq.

Rule 3: If you can't explain something to Middle Easterners with a conspiracy theory, then don't try to explain it at all — they won't believe it.

Rule 4: In the Middle East, never take a concession, except out of the mouth of the person doing the conceding. If I had a dollar for every time someone agreed to recognize Israel on behalf of Yasser Arafat, I could paper my walls.

Rule 5: Never lead your story out of Lebanon, Gaza or Iraq with a cease-fire; it will always be over before the next morning's paper.

Rule 6: In the Middle East, the extremists go all the way, and the moderates tend to just go away.

Rule 7: The most oft-used expression by moderate Arab pols is: "We were just about to stand up to the bad guys when you stupid Americans did that stupid thing. Had you stupid Americans not done that stupid thing, we would have stood up, but now it's too late. It's all your fault for being so stupid."

Rule 8: Civil wars in the Arab world are rarely about ideas — like liberalism vs. communism. They are about which tribe gets to rule. So, yes, Iraq is having a civil war as we once did. But there is no Abe Lincoln in this war. It's the South vs. the South.
Rule 9: In Middle East tribal politics there is rarely a happy medium. When one side is weak, it will tell you, "I'm weak, how can I compromise?" And when it's strong, it will tell you, "I'm strong, why should I compromise?"

Rule 10: Mideast civil wars end in one of three ways: a) like the U.S. civil war, with one side vanquishing the other; b) like the Cyprus civil war, with a hard partition and a wall dividing the parties; or c) like the Lebanon civil war, with a soft partition under an iron fist (Syria) that keeps everyone in line. Saddam used to be the iron fist in Iraq. Now it is us. If we don't want to play that role, Iraq's civil war will end with A or B.

Rule 11: The most underestimated emotion in Arab politics is humiliation. The Israeli-Arab conflict, for instance, is not just about borders. Israel's mere existence is a daily humiliation to Muslims, who can't understand how, if they have the superior religion, Israel can be so powerful. Al Jazeera's editor, Ahmed Sheikh, said it best when he recently told the Swiss weekly Die Weltwoche: "It gnaws at the people in the Middle East that such a small country as Israel, with only about 7 million inhabitants, can defeat the Arab nation with its 350 million. That hurts our collective ego. The Palestinian problem is in the genes of every Arab. The West's problem is that it does not understand this."

Rule 12: Thus, the Israelis will always win, and the Palestinians will always make sure they never enjoy it. Everything else is just commentary.

Rule 13: Our first priority is democracy, but the Arabs' first priority is "justice." The oft-warring Arab tribes are all wounded souls, who really have been hurt by colonial powers, by Jewish settlements on Palestinian land, by Arab kings and dictators, and, most of all, by each other in endless tribal wars. For Iraq's long-abused Shiite majority, democracy is first and foremost a vehicle to get justice. Ditto the Kurds. For the minority Sunnis, democracy in Iraq is a vehicle of injustice. For us, democracy is all about protecting minority rights. For them, democracy is first about consolidating majority rights and getting justice.

Rule 14: The Lebanese historian Kamal Salibi had it right: "Great powers should never get involved in the politics of small tribes."

Rule 15: Whether it is Arab-Israeli peace or democracy in Iraq, you can't want it more than they do.

So, you wouldn't expect to see the first..............But we did see the latter.

Wonder why the world is getting a bad picture of peoples.

YouTube

2011-09-27T17:27:00.001-04:00

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2011-09-27T17:26:00.001-04:00

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2011-09-27T17:25:00.000-04:00

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2011-09-27T17:24:00.000-04:00

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A Reasonable Talk

2011-09-27T01:02:00.001-04:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F30wvFQfaUE

What I want in a woman Part II

2011-09-22T21:52:00.002-04:00

On 6-9-2009 I wrote about my ideal mate. In this writing I was both detailed and analytical. Today, inshallah, I wish to be more emotional, explaining what that person will be like as opposed to what they will bring to me.

So here is the outcome of my driving and contemplating.

1. The woman will be both spiritual and strong in belief, having the ability to see the difference in culture, tradition, and "religion".

2. The woman will be a follower and submitter in their Creator only. This entails , in my opinion, the believe in Allah and the Qur'an Only. I will not accept the ideas of scholars, imams, sheiks, preist, popes, saints, or hypocrites in my household because I have goals to achieve a much higher state of worship

3. She will be caring and compassionate.

4. She will be patient, understanding, loving, and passionate.

5. She will be able to put out the cherry bombs that are lid in my head.

6. She will be able to calm my anger and talk me into doing what is best.

7. She will be driven and directed, needing the support of her man, but having the faculties to conduct herself in the best manner.

8. She will love her children.

9. She will love, honor, and respect her husband (even when I am being a deuche, hahaha).

10. She will be supportive and a loving compliment to me.

A woman is an asset, a Queen, a treasure and most importantly a vital component to any successful man. I expect to be able to come home and get that good-good loving.

Their is no lack of love and support in my heart, and I am most aware that I am extremely patient and just. Our God has given me gifts that are apparent to anyone who knows me and my gifts will be at the expense of my lady.

Any Questions?

No Quotes, Just Me

Cognitive Dissonance and the "Typical" Muslim

2011-09-15T16:02:00.002-04:00

Cognitive dissonance is a discomfort caused by holding conflicting ideas simultaneously. The theory of cognitive dissonance proposes that people have a motivational drive to reduce dissonance. They do this by changing their attitudes, beliefs, and actions. Dissonance is also reduced by justifying, blaming, and denying.

The Muslim majority, of which blindly follow the traditions of their parents and ancestors face a conflict that roots itself internally. Countless young Muslims, those of which are capable of understanding this, feel this daily! The brew of ideas and thoughts generally given to them under the name of religion doesn't satisfy their reason and cognitive thoughts, and often seems complicated and too hard to understand. This very feeling goes against what the Qur'an says is "easy to understand" and "a clear message and guide for mankind"

...........more to come......busy!

Science and God

2011-09-12T14:22:00.002-04:00

The problem here is that two parties, those of Science and those of Theos, are so completely hard headed to see the logic of the world. Theologians (separate from religious people) practice a dogma that doesn't allow them to be open and see that science is the study of the very same God that they attempt to study. Scientist, the staunch disbelievers in God, can't see that the logic in their being a Creator to a universe and life that couldn't be without. Both are so admittedly obtuse that they can't merge the information that fits together so easily.

People, the study of the world (Science) is the study of God's creation. It is different from the study of Theology (study of doctrine and ideas) or Religion (a social construct for those the think they follow a similar believe structure) for that matter, because it studies what things ARE, instead of what things were or could be. The Theologies that we all follow are a meager means of understanding absolute Truth where weak minds crumble at the opportunity, and thus, men has changed the word of God in order to make God what he wants Him to be.

A man who seeks to understand the Past, Present, and Future is a man that is well rounded and wise. The science of now, the holding of old traditions, and the prediction of things to come are independently weak attempts to understand the not-to-easy-to understand. None of those things can exist with a Creator and I am convinced that Said Name Creator will give to those who seek the answers for that they are seeking.

I would like to say however that if there are people who Believe, who study, who don't accept the words of mere mortals (who wear their pants the same), who are looking for Truth and Righteousness that they most surely do not have a problem accepting science and God. Those are the people who do not accept doctrine or follow baseless experiments.

God is neither Science, nor doctrine.

GOD IS that which Creates all things, to include your intellect, and that which knows all and allows us to learn some, that a few of us may be guided straight and come to understand our roles in life and in the universe.

Workout Thursday, September 1

2011-09-01T05:36:00.002-04:00

1 mile run Morning

Titter Totter Workout - Afternoon
Sequence - Chin Ups (CU), Abs (AB), Push ups (PU), 400 meters

1 - 10 CU, 20 AB, 5 PU, 400m - sub 1:10
2 - 8 CU, 20 AB, 10 PU, 400m - sub 1:10
3 - 6 CU, 20 AB, 15 PU, 400m - sub 1:10
4 - 4 CU, 20 AB, 20 PU, 400m - sub 1:20
5 - 6 CU (Assisted), 20 AB, 15 PU, 400m - sub 1:20
6 - 8 CU (Assisted), 20 AB, 10 PU, 400m - sub 1:20
7 - 10 CU (Assisted), 20 AB, 5 PU, 400m - sub 1:05

2 miles - 8 minutes, 44 CU, 140 AB, 80 PU

Wednesday, August 31

2011-08-31T05:37:00.000-04:00

Physical Fitness Check

Crunches, Chin ups, 3 mile run for time.

check comfort level, endurance, and breathing. Check Weight, BFP, and Tone.

Establish Goals. Establish Timeframe. Establish a Motivational Factor.

Do you not hear and learn?

2011-08-18T15:41:00.001-04:00

Seven/five Pillars of Islaam?

Salamun Alykum.

There is no such thing as Five Pillars of Islam or Seven Pillars of Islam. As a Muslim, we should read, understand and follow the Quran.

The Quran confirms very clearly the correct Shahadah in the Sura Muhammad and the corrupt Shahadah in the Sura Munafiqun. The correct Shahadah bears the witness of God and the corrupt Shahadah bears the witness of the messengership of Muhammad:

[Sura Muhammad, 47:19] You shall know that: "There is no other god beside GOD," and ask forgiveness of your sins and the sins of all believing men and women. GOD is fully aware of your decisions and your ultimate destiny.

[Sura Munafiqun, 63:1] When the hypocrites come to you they say, "We bear witness that you are the messenger of GOD." GOD knows that you are His messenger, and GOD bears witness that the hypocrites are liars.

The Quran cited the correct Shahadah in many verses of the Quran. The correct Shahadah bears the witness of God only and no one else:

[2:255] GOD: there is no other god besides Him, the Living, the Eternal. Never a moment of unawareness or slumber overtakes Him. To Him belongs everything in the heavens and everything on earth. Who could intercede with Him, except in accordance with His will? He knows their past, and their future. No one attains any knowledge, except as He wills. His dominion encompasses the heavens and the earth, and ruling them never burdens Him. He is the Most High, the Great.

[3:6] He is the One who shapes you in the wombs as He wills. There is no other god besides Him; the Almighty, Most Wise.

[6:19] Say, "Whose testimony is the greatest?" Say, "GOD's. He is the witness between me and you that this Quran has been inspired to me, to preach it to you and whomever it reaches. Indeed, you bear witness that there are other gods beside GOD." Say, "I do not testify as you do; there is only one god, and I disown your idolatry."

[16:2] He sends down the angels with the revelations, carrying His commands, to whomever He chooses from among His servants: "You shall preach that there is no other god beside Me; You shall reverence Me."

[20:8] GOD: there is no other god besides Him. To Him belong the most beautiful names.

[20:14] "I am GOD; there is no other god beside Me. You shall worship Me alone, and observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) to remember Me.

[20:98] Your only god is GOD; the One beside whom there is no other god. His knowledge encompasses all things.

[23:91] GOD has never begotten a son. Nor was there ever any other god beside Him. Otherwise, each god would have declared independence with his creations, and they would have competed with each other for dominance. GOD be glorified; far above their claims.

[23:116] Most exalted is GOD, the true Sovereign. There is no other god beside Him; the Most Honorable Lord, possessor of all authority.

[27:26] GOD: there is no other god beside Him; the Lord with the great dominion.
[28:70] He is the one GOD; there is no other god beside Him. To Him belongs all praise in this first life, and in the Hereafter. All judgment belongs with Him, and to Him you will be returned.

[28:88] You shall not worship beside GOD any other god. There is no other god beside Him. Everything perishes except His presence. To Him belongs all sovereignty, and to Him you will be returned.

[35:3] O people, remember GOD's blessings upon you. Is there any creator other than GOD who provides for you from the heaven and the earth? There is no other god beside Him. How could you deviate?

[37:35] When they were told, "Laa Elaaha Ella Allah [There is no other god beside GOD]," they turned arrogant.

[38:65] Say, "I warn you; there is no other god beside GOD, the One, the Supreme.

[39:6] He created you from one person, then created from him his mate. He sent down to you eight kinds of livestock. He creates you in your mothers' bellies, creation after creation, in trimesters of darkness. Such is GOD your Lord. To Him belongs all sovereignty. There is no other god beside Him. How could you deviate?

[40:3] Forgiver of sins, acceptor of repentance, strict in enforcing retribution, and possessor of all power. There is no other god beside Him. To Him is the ultimate destiny.

[44:8] There is no other god beside Him. He controls life and death; your Lord and the Lord of your ancestors.

[47:19] You shall know that: "There is no other god beside GOD," and ask forgiveness of your sins and the sins of all believing men and women. GOD is fully aware of your decisions and your ultimate destiny.

[59:22] He is the One GOD; there is no other god beside Him. Knower of all secrets and declarations. He is the Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

[59:23] He is the One GOD; there is no other god beside Him. The King, the Most Sacred, the Peace, the Most Faithful, the Supreme, the Almighty, the Most Powerful, the Most Dignified. GOD be glorified; far above having partners.

[64:13] GOD: there is no other god besides Him. In GOD the believers shall trust.

[73:9] Lord of the east and the west; there is no other god beside Him. You should choose Him as your advocate.

The Quran rejects the corrupt Shahadah in many verses of the Quran. The reasons are stated very clearly:

[63:1] When the hypocrites come to you they say, "We bear witness that you are the messenger of GOD." GOD knows that you are His messenger, and GOD bears witness that the hypocrites are liars.

[4:79] Anything good that happens to you is from GOD, and anything bad that happens to you is from you. We have sent you as a messenger to the people, and GOD suffices as witness.

[4:166] But GOD bears witness concerning what He has revealed to you; He has revealed it with His knowledge. And the angels bear witness as well, but GOD suffices as witness.

[13:43] Those who disbelieved will say, "You are not a messenger!" Say, "GOD suffices as a witness between me and you, and those who possess knowledge of the scripture."

[17:96] Say, "GOD suffices as a witness between me and you. He is fully Cognizant of His worshipers, Seer."

[46:8] When they say, "He fabricated this," say, "If I fabricated this, then you cannot protect me from GOD. He is fully aware of everything you scheme. He suffices as a witness between me and you. He is the Forgiver, Most Merciful."

The Quran clearly indicates who cherish the correct Shahadah and why they cherish it:

[3:18] GOD bears witness that there is no god except He, and so do the angels and those who possess knowledge. Truthfully and equitably, He is the absolute god; there is no god but He, the Almighty, Most Wise.

[6:19] Say, "Whose testimony is the greatest?" Say, "GOD's. He is the witness between me and you that this Quran has been inspired to me, to preach it to you and whomever it reaches. Indeed, you bear witness that there are other gods beside GOD." Say, "I do not testify as you do; there is only one god, and I disown your idolatry

The Quran also clearly indicates who cherish the corrupt Shahadah and why they cherish it:

[39:45] When GOD ALONE is mentioned, the hearts of those who do not believe in the Hereafter shrink with aversion. But when others are mentioned beside Him, they become satisfied.

[37:35] When they were told, "Laa Elaaha Ella Allah [There is no other god beside GOD]," they turned arrogant.

[37:36] They said, "Shall we leave our gods for the sake of a crazy poet?"

[37:37] In fact, he has brought the truth, and has confirmed the messengers.

[37:38] Most assuredly, you will taste the most painful retribution.

[37:39] You are requited only for what you have done.

[37:40] Only GOD's servants who are absolutely devoted to Him alone (will be saved).

[40:12] This is because when GOD ALONE was advocated, you disbelieved, but when others were mentioned beside Him, you believed. Therefore, GOD's judgment has been issued; He is the Most High, the Great.

The "first pillar of Islam", the Shahada, is severely corrupted. The majority of us reject the correct Shahadah preached by the Prophet Muhammad. The name of the Prophet Muhammad and the name of Caliph Ali have been added against their will to the correct Shahadah. The majority of us have deserted the Quran.

[25:27] The day will come when the transgressor will bite his hands (in anguish) and say, "Alas, I wish I had followed the path with the messenger.

[25:28] "Alas, woe to me, I wish I did not take that person as a friend.

[25:29] "He has led me away from the message after it came to me. Indeed, the devil lets down his human victims."

[25:30] The messenger said, "My Lord, my people have deserted this Quran."

Thank you and may God guide me,

Muhammed Irtaza

who are the hypocrites

2011-08-18T15:39:00.000-04:00

[Sura Munafiqun, 63:1] When the hypocrites come to you they say, "We bear witness that you are the messenger of GOD." GOD knows that you are His messenger, and GOD bears witness that the hypocrites are liars.

Please don't lie on your own lives

2011-08-18T15:37:00.000-04:00

In order to witness something, that 'something' must be present (4:135). For example; the statement 'I bear witness that Muhammad is a messenger of God' is a false satement. This is because Muhammad is dead, I can't see him or touch him to bear witness of his current existence.

Moreover, 3:86 does not mean there is a second part to the shahada. Unfortunately, the translation of Y. Ali does not give the full picture. Here is a better translation:

[3:86] Why should GOD guide people who disbelieved after believing, and after witnessing that the messenger is truth, and after solid proofs have been given to them? GOD does not guide the wicked.

Again, to witness something, that 'something' must be present. This is precisely the case in 3:86. The people 'witnessed' the messenger and the proofs given to them... Nowhere does the verse suggest this is part of the second shahada...

6. Finally, every Muslim MUST believe Muhammad was a messenger of God and a deliverer of the Quran (47:2). The Quran teaches us to give the utmost respect to God's messengers (5:12), to bear witness of their righteous endeavors in spreading the word of God (25:56), and not to distinguish between the messengers of God (2:136). As we've seen from the above Quranic examples, nowhere does it say that our shahada must include another name besides God. All messengers of God said 'la ilaha illah Allah' (there is no god but God).... What comprises a Muslim is the worship and Submitting to the One God. As simple as that...

From a place...almost but not quite....paradise

2011-07-26T00:26:00.000-04:00

As Salam Alaikum everyone,

I am here in Sunny Cabo San Lucas, Mexico!!!!! Although it is warm, amazing, and beautiful I am reminded about Allah with every breathe I take!

When I got off the plane I was reminded of His mercy to us through the elements and through allowing us to build technologically advance transportation.

When I drove past shacks and shanties I was reminded of my own humble beginnings. I remember my appreciation and love of the weak and the poor. I rededicated my life to help and to serve.

When I saw the beach I was reminded of the beauty in his plan. I was reminded of the blessing of light and of the Sun.

When I lay of the bed I was reminded of the pleasure of sleep and relaxation.

I ate food and drank lemonade outside under the shade and was reminded of His compassion to us through sustenance!

Let's stop for a minute and remember our Creator. Alhumdullilah. Let's stop for a moment and remember that if we were not guided that we would lead ourselves astray!

Thank you Allah for my group, friends, family, and the world. Thank you for your challenges and trials!

Respectfully,
Teddy Galloway

To the heavens, to the earth............in them there are signs

2011-07-16T03:03:00.002-04:00

I have been standing, sitting, and kneeling in awe of our Creator on this night that I personally believe is better than a thousand nights. The moon is full and shinning, the night is clear and crisp, and the birds stir every once in a while in excitement.

I stood there breathing the cool air and I was praying both loudly and quietly to our Creator when all of a sudden I realized that I was looking to the heavens. I noticed that the stars were especially clear to me, and that the shimmer of the stars were actually and rapid shifting of colors. I was like seeing a far off display of fireworks.

I thought to myself "How silly it is to look up to the heavens, when the Creator's trademark is everywhere". I looked down and kinda laugh a little on the inside. I had to look at the ground, then I looked at the sky again, then I looked at my hands and arms. I felt distant to myself for just a second. I felt like a spectator to my thoughts and actions. I felt free from everything, yet bound by humbleness.

How strange it is indeed that we always look upward for motivation, for innovation, and for awe striking moments. Is not the ground just as magnificent as the sky? Am I not as specially shaped as the other things in the universe.

I tend to see the world in a macro and micro level. I have to admit that I often feel humbled by the magnitude of the skies, the stars, and the outer parts of our universe. I have to admit that I often feel larger and therefore great than what is below my feet. Tonight, oh tonight, I feel equal to or lesser than my Created companions.

I understand the earth as much as I understand the sky. I see the brillance in one as I do the other. My eyes have been open to the Truth of it all tonight. - Everything was Created, therefore everything is in submission to that which Created it. No slave is greater than another, because the Master still controls the affairs of us all. -

This is what popped in my head when I was allowing these thought to rush through me:

"The magnificence of Creation is an equalizer. The large and the small both have their role in the scheme of things. All things are made to fit together, solving the riddle of life, and making each created component a reliant part of the whole. All things certain, The Creator of the system is needed for structure, stability, and existence.

The worth of a thing is not found in its size. The worth of the things is found in its function. Since everything and everyone has a function, and each thing was created with a purpose in mind, all things rely on everything else to act according to plans. Therefore, all things - man, woman, star, rock, tree, flea, and bee - are important to the creator of the scheme. All things are equal.

Even the largest and most grandiose of things are made using the smallest and most minuscule of components (Electron, Proton, Neutrons) ."

No quotes, Just my thoughts

Become a Renaissance Man

2011-06-29T21:22:00.002-04:00

Things to Master

Language

Arabic
French
English
Spanish
Urdu
Farsi

Physical Skills

Tae Kwon Do
Ju Jitsu
Muay Tai
Boxing

Knowledge

Rhetoric
Philosophy
Qur’an

Business

Café
Real estate
Consultant
Instructor
Training Development