The Classical Subconscious Movement

In the Name of Allah, the Most High

(my love)(my dream)(<3)(risk matter not)

Alhamdulilah, after an inspiration I have received, from no other than the AlMighty Allah(SWT), I decided that I will be attended a film school. Right now, I need to finish my degree in Mass Communications( or media studies), which I will probaly shorten to 2-3 years. Alhamdulilah.

I am taking a huge risk in pursing my dream. But I have no other option. Doing a job I don’t like isn’t an option. My passion is my passion and I will pursue it day and night until I succeed by the Permission of Allah(Swt) or I die by the Permission of Allah(Swt).

Dream Big — Risk Big — Win Big

صَدِيقٌ لَيْسَ يَنْفَعُ يَوْمَ بُؤْسٍ * قَرِيبٌ مِنْ عَدْوٍّ فِي القِيَاسِ
وَمَا يَبْقَى الصَّدِيقُ بِكُلِّ عَصْرٍ * وَلاَ الإِخْوَانُ إِلاَّ لِلتَّآسِي
عَبَرْتُ الدَّهْرَ مُلْتَمِسَاً بِجُهْدِي * أَخَا ثِقَةٍ فَأَلْهَانِي التِمَاسِي
تَنَكَّرَتِ البِلاَدُ وَمَنْ عَلَيْهَا * كَأَنَّ أُنَاسَهَا لَيْسُوا بِنَاسِ

A friend who does not benefit at the time of hardships,
Is close to an enemy on the scales,
The friend does not remain, during all times,
Nor does the brother, except for consolation.
I searched the days, with all my strengths
for a brother to trust, but my search was fruitless,
The lands and those who live them were barren,
As though its people were not people [I wanted them to be]- Imam Ash-Shafi’iee

In the Name of Allah, the Most High

I’ve been through life, 18 years that is. Not long, but certainly not short. Alhamdulilah.

One thing I’ve been searching for has been a close friend. A lot of those who may know me and read this may be turned off. I have friends(some of whom I simply adore), just not close ones–once I have by my side all the time. If that offends you, I’m not going to apologize for my feelings. Their either older or younger. But does it matter….

However, I am not going to blow off those wonderful people I have met. They are simply enriching breathes of fresh air. The only downfall is that I can’t have that breeze with me all that time. I can’t have those visions, honest advices, ageless wisdoms with me all the time.

Perhaps it could be me. They say ‘you are who you attract. Well, if that is to hold true….. all I can say is that I’m trying to be a good person.

What is it that I want? People who are like minded. I’ve met inspirational people, but we can’t connect. I’ve met vibrant people, but we can’t sustain a conversation. People who are like minded to me are comfortable to be around. That doesn’t mean if I share my secrets with you, I’ll be comfortable. But does that also mean I am not inspiration and vibrant, I hope not.

I’ve noticed that time can add value to relationships, but it often only adds those that were strong to begin with.

It’s hard to have crazy-zainy-amazingly mind-blowing ideas, and have no close people to share them with. Again, it’s a comfort thing. I’m not going to just annouce my ideas to people, just because.

…so sometimes, wondering in the future, I drift. I romanticize what could be rather than what isn’t.

I have this hope that Allah(SWT) has been reserving my best friend for me–somewhere, somehow, I know that I will meet them in the future, inshaAllah.

….would it be too far-fetched to say it’ll be my future huband? I don’t think so. I just pray.
   

-depth of thought

In the Name of Allah, the Most High

We’ve all been there. I call it the ‘Marraige Fixation’

My Marraige Fixation start a year ago from this month.  Alhamdulilah, it’s died down for now. I still do want to get married; even if a proposal came, I’d accept, inshaAllah.

I find that the source heightens the more you get involved Islamic activities, voluteering and lecture-outings. Most of us have been to lectures or hear talks that have to do with marriage, the importance of marraige, the fiqh of marriage etc. With no options available except marraige, as Muslims don’t date, it’s hard not to get caught up in it.

and THE WEDDINGS. …

I’ve been to 3 weddings this summer. All friends, sisters, whom I adore. It was also the first time I’ve ever been to a wedding. There a lot that goes into it from emotions to excitments, to money and materalism.
This undoubtely wants you to start daydreaming about your day…the decorations, the theme, your dress, your makeup, the music and especially, who it’s going to be.

I can tell you I’ve already found the music for my future wedding and the theme( a purple soiree) inshaAllah:] Hehehe.

A lot of us young ladies go through this. Unable to entertain the thought until we finish school, most of us have defied that. 2 of the 3 sister married are still in school. No one said that you couldn’t be.
The university I go to is full of brothers. People always and still say ‘you’ll find someone’. Maybe I will; Mybe I won’t.

Oddly, enough, I’ve just stopped looking after I had started. Sure, I’m open to the idea, but since my mind has been open to occupying it with different things after my year-long longing for a husband, I’ve turned my attention to making my life a success inshaAllah. If a brother wants to join me in this adventure called life, then I welcome him.

The thoughts of marriage consumes sisters my age and a bit over. In all honestly, I’ve been through the ups and downs of preparing myself emotionally, mentally and physically for marriage( and I still am), I say do what you can, in terms of making your availability known and then have tawakul. BUT, from then on, WORK ON YOURSELF.

What do I mean by that?

Your hopes, your ambitions, your dreams, your love—discover them, nuture them, and try to make them a reality. And, if by Allah(SWT) will you get married, at least you have a clear direction you want to take your life in. But don’t get too caught up in this ‘marraige fixation’.

We all want someone to share our lives with intimately, someone to hold hands with, someone to be our best friends, and someone to take to paradise with us(if Allah permits), but don’t rush into it and don’t act upon immediate desires. Be patient and have tawakul that Allah will give you the right person for you, inshaAllah. You don’t want to end up regretting anything.

I found that having full trust in Allah means ABSOLUTELY NO WORRYING. No worrying at all. Whether he is handsome or not, educated or not, had the eye color you’ve always wanted. Don’t think about that.

Essentially, I am nothere to convince you of marriage,but I am here to speak to the sister who want to get married to fullfill the sunnah, but are finding it hard to do so.

What do I suggest:
1) Learn as much as you can about marriage. You can never be done . There is a wealth of knowledge. I suggest themarriagerevolution, but Sheikh Yaser and His Team or listen to Fiqh of Love by
AlMaghrib Institute Instructor Sheikh Yaser Birjas.

2) Learn about yourself. Who are you? Where do you want to go in life? What dreams and goals do you want
to acheive. Don’t let that die when you get married. If you do get married early, explain that to
your husband. If you have an idea of where you want to take you life, you can compromise better.

3) Be open. If someone comes your way, take it seriously, as Sheikh Yaser would say.The following is advise Sheikh Yaser gave the sisters:

What about the ladies?

As for the ladies, what I always actually hear from them whenever they come to me and they ask me:
“someone proposed to me, what do you think?” They want to ask me for advice: this person is such and such
(and they bring me all of their ideas about him and so on) so what do you think?

So I ask her: “what do you think?”
She says: “well I don’t know if I’m ready or not.” And my initial answer to her usually is that “believe it or not, you will never be ready for marriage; meaning that the feeling that you are
ready for marriage is actually illusive because women are always going to
encounter this feeling of insecurity…

Is he the right person? Is he the best person?

Would it be better if I waited maybe someone else better than him will come?

…and so on.

There is always a level of insecurity on their part and in this case I would say:”You are ready; you are always ready when he comes and proposes. So oncea man proposes, then consider yourself ready for marriage.”

In the Name of Allah, the Most High

This is a short clip that I have adored since I saw it on television a while back. Watch how this young lady’s face is turned into an airbrush model ad in a few minutes. It captures so many messages in a few minutes. Have a look!

In the Name of Allah, the Most High.

This evening was really interesting. For those remotely interested, I think I’ve discovered through experience what textbook learning could never teach me.

Students Against Isreali Apartheid is a club at my university. The just had an event called “Israeli Crimes, Canadian Complicity—A Panel Discussion with Al-Haq Human Rights Workers from the Occupied West Bank”

My sister(in Islam :] ) and I were there at 7pm(when it started) only to find out it was PACKED TO CAPACITY. I really didn’t think many people would come. There were also a lot of people trying to subdue and stop this event from happening.  we waited for an hour. We didn’t loose hope!

What did I learn? Many things:

1) I may be a realist

     I have been accused of being a realist and also a pessismist. I’ve been in my political science class
     and never once understood critical theories and underpinnings of international relations. Teachers
     rarely delve into these topics. So, we learned realists look at the world as anarchtic. Ok, I never
      really understood what that meant. Until today.

    A young man stood up and asked his question to the panel discussion. He said that he views the world
    like a realist, as in you can’t enforce laws and make sure people comply.

   Ok, people. That may seem lame, but I learned something. That’s essentially what I think of our modern
   world.

   Now, without delving too deep into the Palestinian/Isreali conflict, I want to highlight some key points
   that the audience brought up that I thought were very enlightening.

   1) The issue of the Palestinian/Isreali conflict isn’t a matter of portraying a 1 sided narrative.
       There is a huge IMBALANCE between the living conditions and rights of Palestinians and Isrealis.

   2) The shocker of the night: OUR tax dollars go to funding Isreali settlements on Palestinan land. 
       

    3) The idea of Canadian complicity is kinda hidden. Someone had brought up the idea of Canadians
        living on occupied land as well and how that plays a role in our stance against the occupied area
        in Palestine….to which the speaker replied that we have to find our position in the world and our
        willingness to take part in the world we live it. Essentially, do what you can for those you can help.
        We saw in the summer war of 2006 between Hezbolllah and Isreal, that Canada responded by calling
        it a ‘measured’ response. What does that say?

     5) As people had attempted to shut down the event, it is important to note that we need to be able to 
         have an open discussion about issues such as this.

All the points I have listed were other peoples ideas. I do have an opinion; too tired to debate it on cyberspace. By the way, people who were completely against this were able to speak at the lecture.

In the Name of Allah, the Most High

In reality, everday could be our last. We’ve heard that, but how many of us believe that.
Not many.
…including myself
because if I did, I’d live like it was my last day.

So, why don’t we live it like it was our last?
too complicated?
belief in future days?
too comfortable?

Without getting philosphical, does living amount to quitting your job, traveling the world, bungee jumping?
If it was your last day, why do we automaticaly resort to fullfilling our desires?
Should our last days be reflective of our former days?

Die as we live, so to speak.

Sometimes, I complicate things. But I wonder about the day I will die. What state? Where? How? What hour?

In reality, I found preparing for death is living life. Just ignore the instant irony of that.

-depthofthought

In the Name of Allah, the Most High.

(Everything Happens Because Allah(SWT) wills it)

MyEmpire

If I had it my way, I’d rule the world without fear my family would tell me I wouldn’t make money doing it.
I’d be a filmmaker. Go to college, without feeling stupid.
I’d tear up my metaphysical degree and spit on it.
Ladies, I have an empire in my pocket.
Somewhere between searching for Quranic wisdom and ignoring the catastropic rage
Politics became my aquiantance
I am not all that I could be.
If I had it my way, I’d eat clouds, chase dreams and stars. Pray all night long with no fatigue.
Knowledge is known, not understood, it’s underdemanded, under paid, under fed
My Empire is no more than freedom
Based on God’s teachings, it tells you to be you
tells humans to thinks, fuels artists and opens the mind.

So, I read because
Study because
Cry, Work, Laugh, Strive because
…..
I ignored that empire
…waiting in my pocket
ruling kingdoms of dreams

instead abiding by what society says I should be

My thoughts are with the victim.

…which is doubtably me.

-depthofthought

In the Name of Allah, the Most High

Problem 2: Prevention of thinking, and blind faith

Young people are creative explorers to say the least. They like exploring new things.

 It’s clear in our community, there are prevalent ‘unspoken’ rules in our community.

 I define these rules as being essential rules that contribute a lot(not necessarily positively) to the current function of our community. We abide by these rules, believing that they are due to Islamic injunctions, when they are because of cultural and traditional ways. One who defys them, may trigger many negative responses.What does making these types of connections appear to be:

1)Prevention of thinking— we adopt rather than adapt; becoming slaves to institutions we adopt.

2) Lack of thinking—Islam is to guide and provide answers to humanity, not to think for them. This is clearly why religion is never forced.

3)Hinders process—emphasizes petty issues, rather than bigger issues.Thus hindering us from intellectual progress.

4)Religion versus a way of life— We propagate Islam as a way of life, but adhere to it as a religion-essentially confining it to certain places

Sadly, there are countless other examples:

i)    Kids, if brought to the mosque, should be silent

ii)  Women, shouldn’t be heard, nor seen. Participation is not common in mosques

iii) Dressing normally changes to more ‘traditional’ not necessarily conservative onces on attends Islamic school or a mosque from what we normally wear.

Our faulty logic, which normally translates into strict adhereance or perceive obeidance is nothing more than a disillusion.

How many people feel open in our community to ask ‘controversial’ questions, perhaps even a little taboo?

 How many of us feel free to express our own opinions, if within boundaries, do not go against shariah?

I really don’t know if it’s our cultural customs or this ‘fear’ we have of overstepping boundaries of Islam, when we actually aren’t. 

 Religions are normally damned for not being open enough to allow humans to think. These ‘unspoken’ rules burden our community, dismiss our youth and drive people away from the masjid. It also adds a lot more ‘perceived rules’ to Islam that were never there to begin with.

In the Name of Allah, the Most High

Problem 1: Ideal Muslim Versus Real Muslim

Looking at people in the ideal sense makes you focus on what they should be doing, and has you ignore what they are doing. It’s understood that the past generations of Muslims are our ideal examples.

 How does this understanding play our in our day to day interactions? Does it make us stricter? Does it make us more judgmental? Do we do things based on what we think or what we know?

Situation is clear that we lack understanding, not knowledge of how our predecessors lived Islam. Knowledge is everywhere. It seems to be creeping up wherever you go. Islamic Institutes are popping up everywhere, as are lectures, seminars. Therefore, we are to blame for not knowing who the 3rd Calipha of Islam was or how many wives the Prophet(S) had.

Our perception and lack of understanding on how Muslims manifests itself into the following:

a)      Making us more strict to compensate for things we don’t know or have.

       E.g. Tighter gender separation in lectures because we fear dating due to the fact that we don’t have

               legitimate marraige programs at our mosques that help people and we need to compensate for it.

b)      We attack what we may seem if foreign.

     Tolerating ideas isn’t the same thing as accepting them. This need to be made clear. Appreciation is needed for what we may not understand and shouldn’t be completely dismissed. 

      There are different ways of wearing hijab and different madthabs! Get over it already!

So, what?

Flexibility!

Haven’t you heard that all 4 Khalifah’s ruled Islamically in different way, even though it was still Islam.

…meaning….TAKE A CHILL PILL! Islam isn’t one strict, ridged intepretation. Say Alhamdlilah.

 We don’t need to fight each other; we just need to hug eachother.

 Go hug your brother/sister in Islam. It will feel nice.

-depthofthought