372 replies to this topic

[-Enlightened]

Maula Dha Mallang, on 19 November 2011 - 07:05 PM, said:

Question Set 3 of 3

apologies for the delay, i have been busy woth work, one of my neighbours passed away (may Allah/Jah Rasta look after his soul now) and the build up to muharram so havent been online at all.

lets get straight into this last set of questions

Bismillah Alrahaman Alraheem

Salam Alaikom.

I'm sorry to hear this lose. Inna Lillah w Ina Ilayhi Rajiune. I am reading al-Fatiha on his soul.

and may Allah reward you for the muharam preparations.

When someone passes away, it's only a reminder that our turn will come soon therefore we have to get prepared.

Maula Dha Mallang, on 19 November 2011 - 07:05 PM, said:

very interesting (and logical) philosophy mash'Allah. so you are saying that it doesnt matter generally what we do, so long as we work hard individually and collectively as a shia nation, to put ourselves into the positions of influence in our various fields, so when the time comes we can benefit society by being worth more than our component individuals?

Exactly, you got it but you have it with more precise words

Maula Dha Mallang, on 19 November 2011 - 07:05 PM, said:

there was a time when islam was at the forefront of this - socially, scientifically, medically and militarily. the islamic empire. im terms of society was a shining light when compared with the rest of the world which was struggling through the "dark ages". why do you think the islamic world got so badly left behind, and why have we reached the point in our lives where if someone asks "what have modern muslims done for humanity", we answer "we had the muslim empire hundreds of years ago"?

The reason why the islamic world was successful was because we had the best role models alive (imams and prophets where there). Today, we do have role models, but they're not socially active since they are in a state of Taqiyya (most of them). we also have the image of wahabism that is scaring the people that when i say ''Islam'' they quickly thing ''Terrorist'' which leads them to think ''No thanks, i don't need to do research on that''. . this is how the society is becoming jahelya(ignorant).
They also think that they don't need faith in order to become civilized ... they're wrong ..religion is like the mother of civilization . Civilization can not leave religion and ditch it like this in the corner, otherwise it will start crying and feeling lonely without hope..and this is exactly what is happening today.

Maula Dha Mallang, on 19 November 2011 - 07:05 PM, said:

even if you bring a single soul to the path of the awaited imam (atf), this will be a great reward for you on the day of reckoning. how would you convince someone (such as a jew, christian, hindu etc) who believe in an awaited messiah, and who have similar prophecies, signs, books etc, that *our* messiah is the *right* messiah and theirs is not? for example if a jehovas witness says "jesus is the messiah, there is no other messiah but him"?

Our messiah and their messiah is the same messiah but they have different names. that's what we need to convince.
I think that the best way to convince them would be to bring out sources from their own books
(that's how we get convinced after all..from sources from the Quran)
I know that Imam Mahdi is mentioned in the Bible several times, but we need to find the exact verse

Maula Dha Mallang, on 19 November 2011 - 07:05 PM, said:

ive been saying for a while that shiachat should organise their own qafila there is a wide enough range of skills and experiences to make it work, and the profit could go into funding the site. wouldnt it be great if all the shiachat members were stood on the soil of karbala together at the same time? each doing their own aza?

That would be quit spectacular

Maula Dha Mallang, on 19 November 2011 - 07:05 PM, said:

ahhhh sounds scary for a kid to go through that. how/ do you think that the ziarat benefitted you in your day to day life?

Ziyara would benefit everyone in some way. If I bring a non-muslim with me, they would convert to islam just by feeling the spiritual power around around the place. When people go there, they cry and repent because their faith increase, it's like a witness that all these stuff that happened in history are true, the marks are here. They become more spiritual and more healthy. When someone is happy, his body is not happy ,it's his spirit ..it's like a refreshment =] everyone needs it once in a while to disconnect from the busy world .

Maula Dha Mallang, on 19 November 2011 - 07:05 PM, said:

if you could lead a community group of, say, 20 people from your community, how would you spread the word of the awaited imam, without being a nuisance like the mormons etc?

If they're from my community ,I would simply make an interesting series of lectures and will include the current stuff that are happening today ..this will create a kind of dialogue where people can speak and share their own opinions and think critically  =] The key is not to make it boring lol . All the service if for the Imam and we don't want to give a bad quality service .

Maula Dha Mallang, on 19 November 2011 - 07:05 PM, said:

lol...i think this was one of my favourite parts of all the interviews ive done so far, mashallah. here are some more role play questions.

- ummi, what is the point of heaven and hell, if Allah doesnt care which we go to, and does not need our prayers?

- will non shia enter heaven?

- why is the awaited imam (atf) in ghayba?

Little Enlight : So Mom , I was wondering about heaven and hell, does it have a a point for Allah ?! he doesn't need our prayers he's already powerful

Mother Enlight: Allah does not need our prayers, but we're the one who need them =] We have to perform them very well in order to be purified enough to enter Jannah. We don't want to enter it with a low spiritual level right ? It's made for people who are pure only. Jannah and hell are like the result of what we're doing at the moment. we're currently doing an exam and if we did it well , we'll pass with  jannah, if we failed , we'll fail by going to hell

Little Enlight: awww mommy you know i would love to pass this exam and go to Jannah .. but like I'm already a shiite ,do i need to make all this effort? will the non-shia also enter heaven? like how does it work?

Mother Enlight: Everyone is born equal,without sins . The proof is that we weren't alive before so there wasn't any opportunity to sin. During life, we'll be challenged and we'll have to use our aql (brain) which is a powerful tool from the creator,  to make a distinctions between what is good and what is bad. Little daughter, you will meet some people claiming that they're shia during your life  but in reality ,they don't know anything because they have a hard time rationalizing and they just follow whatever blindly .. beware of them..not all shia's will go to heaven . God doesn't judge according to our background or our culture, he judges according to the human being. If his soul is good, he is welcome to jannah. Don't forget that we have prophets who weren't aware of Imam ali (such as Adam because they weren't there when the event of Ghadeer happened)  ,they will enter Jannah too because they were good human beings . At the end of the day, this judgment depends on Allah and we have to stick on our duty which is to pass this exam and make our friends pass it too

Little Enlight: interresting ... now that you have talked about Imam Ali, let's talk about Imam Mahdi.... why is he in ghayba?

Mother Enlight: He is in ghayba because if he wouldn't be in ghayba...he would have been killed already by the oppressors of peace just like they killed all the Imams and just like they attempted to Kill Jesus . So Allah decided to protect him so that no one can recognize him . After all ,he is the last of the last from the infallibles ,he will be the one that will spread the word of justice . Think of it in a good way : The more the length of occultation is long ,the more we miss him. Just like a husband and a wife  .. when a husband goes travelling , the wife is looking forward to see him again, so she prepares herself =P
We have to prepare ourselves spiritually for our awaited Master.

Maula Dha Mallang, on 19 November 2011 - 07:05 PM, said:

mashallah - excellent. can i make a suggestion that you create a twitter account. and update it every hour/ few hours about the duas, for example if you upload a dua for memory, do a tweet every hour or two saying "prayer for increasing memory <youtube link>" in different ways? this way your videos will sky rocket to the top of the google and youtube rankings. shia havent got any clue how powerful twitter is, nor how easy, and (yet again) we are being absolutely swamped by the non shia in this medium.

Excellent idea MDM ! I have a twitter application on my phone, i can update it with duas  while i'm in school  

Maula Dha Mallang, on 19 November 2011 - 07:05 PM, said:

lol sis, you are talking to a mallang, i believe the imam is haazir aur naazir. it is only a fool who believes he is not presented with a list of our actions every day.

how about a psuedonym? which would you choose? something like kaneez hujja etc?

I would chose '' Enlight_Warner'' =] just like my first SC name. Very long story behind it

Maula Dha Mallang, on 19 November 2011 - 07:05 PM, said:

what of those shia who refuse to curse, because they see it as bad manners? when is it good manners to curse, and when according to you is good? what advice would you give someone who wanted to curse, but wasnt sure how/ where/ when?

If we refuse to curse,it is similar to staying silent and when we stay silent, we are accepting the falsehood/injustice that is being spread . Those people should not see it as a bad manner , because the prophet used to curse on the bad people too...now if they ask me a hadeeth for that, I would simply show the Quran and show how many times the quran curses on the Kafiroon (disbelievers) . The prophet knew the Quran by heart, therefore he would also recite the cursing parts. Exactly like us with ziyarat Ashura.

Religion is nothing without hate and love, just like your signature states. This is the 7th and 8th pillar of islam ''  forbidding evil '' and ''doing good'' . We have to hate in order to do good.

Maula Dha Mallang, on 19 November 2011 - 07:05 PM, said:

i am glad you did take so much time and effort, i appreciate it. similar to brother mufeed and other members contributions so far, you have now provided a wealth of information for curious members and guests, many of whom will never speak to you, to learn about the awaited imam and other shia beliefs. thank you, i knew you were the perfect choice to talk on this topic, you have been brilliant so far mash'Allah

JazakAllah Khair brother MDM for these questions. You're the source of benefit here because without you and your beautiful ideas (interviews, quality of questions) , we wouldn't spread our knowledge. Therefore, more than half of the reward goes to you.

May Allah keep blessing you and everyone who is reading this right now, May Allah also accept all the duas and Hajjat. I wish a wonderful Eid Mubahila to everyone. I conclude with this link :



Fe amanAllah

Edited by Enlightened_x, 20 November 2011 - 03:02 PM.

[SD2]

Loved reading your answers Enlight

[Maula Dha Mallang]

thanks a lot sis enlightened, its been brilliant

one final cheeky question while i contact the next member and write up their questions - whats the story behind your username enlight_warner???

[SD2]

Maula Dha Mallang, on 20 November 2011 - 06:23 PM, said:

thanks a lot sis enlightened, its been brilliant

one final cheeky question while i contact the next member and write up their questions - whats the story behind your username enlight_warner???

You have reached your quota of positive votes for the day

+1

Edited by SD2, 20 November 2011 - 06:42 PM.

[-Enlightened]

Maula Dha Mallang, on 20 November 2011 - 06:23 PM, said:

thanks a lot sis enlightened, its been brilliant

one final cheeky question while i contact the next member and write up their questions - whats the story behind your username enlight_warner???

When i first joined ShiaChat, I had no clue about what to chose for a username. I wanted something discrete ..not too attractive like ''Princess_Shia'' and not too boring such as ''Muslima786'' that everyone has =P

So i just decided to open the Quran and I got into a verse where they said '' And we have sent the messengers as enlightners and a  Warners for others  ....''i don't have the exact verse

That's how i have chosen the username . '' Enlight'' in arabic (quran) would be '' Munawer'' and ''warner'' would be '' munadher''

but now I changed it some member on ShiaChat told me that ''Enlight'' is a grammatical mistake in English and i should put '' Enlightened '' instead lol

SD2, on 20 November 2011 - 03:26 PM, said:

Loved reading your answers Enlight

Thanks SD . I also loved reading yours

[Blissful]

Great answers Enlightened, mashallah. Loved them.

[-Enlightened]

Blissful, on 20 November 2011 - 06:46 PM, said:

Great answers Enlightened, mashallah. Loved them.

Thanks sister blissful i am looking forward to read yours =]

[Maula Dha Mallang]

thanks for that sis, is the verse you are referring to this one@:

[48.8] Surely We have sent you as a witness and as a bearer of good news and as a warner,

?

[-Enlightened]

Maula Dha Mallang, on 20 November 2011 - 06:49 PM, said:

thanks for that sis, is the verse you are referring to this one@:

[48.8] Surely We have sent you as a witness and as a bearer of good news and as a warner,

?

yes ! i think it's this one.
i think the verse with the word ''Enlight'' was under that verse or before it ?! it was somewhere in the same page.

Edit: i just checked and I'm actually not sure if it's this one , i think it is . I remember the was a ''Enlight'' inside , i didn't just include it because my english was really weak and i didn't know much vocabulary that time =P

Edited by Enlightened_x, 20 November 2011 - 06:57 PM.

[SD2]

Enlightened_x, on 20 November 2011 - 06:46 PM, said:

When i first joined ShiaChat, I had no clue about what to chose for a username. I wanted something discrete ..not too attractive like ''Princess_Shia'' and not too boring such as ''Muslima786'' that everyone has =P

So i just decided to open the Quran and I got into a verse where they said '' And we have sent the messengers as enlightners and a  Warners for others  ....''i don't have the exact verse

That's how i have chosen the username . '' Enlight'' in arabic (quran) would be '' Munawer'' and ''warner'' would be '' munadher''

but now I changed it some member on ShiaChat told me that ''Enlight'' is a grammatical mistake in English and i should put '' Enlightened '' instead lol




Thanks SD . I also loved reading yours

You have reached your quota of positive votes for the day

+1

Blissful, on 20 November 2011 - 06:46 PM, said:

Great answers Enlightened, mashallah. Loved them.

You have reached your quota of positive votes for the day

+1

[Maula Dha Mallang]

the next person i am going to interview is sis Blissful

one of the enigmas of shiachat, sis Blissful is known mainly by many for two things - her poetry and her presence in the chatroom. speaking first about her poetry, she has stirred emotions and thoughts in readers for as long as she has been contributing both here and on her blog. much more profound and exquisitely written then you would imagine, she has a way of capturing thoughts in symbolic form and expressing them as poetry. personally, i have been stalking the poetry forum and her blog (that she shares with another member of sc) for a while just to read her work. her presence in the chatroom is quite another thing. she is almost a jekyll and hyde member, who constantly is involved in the jokes and pranks, and is a thorn in my side by always calling me a muqassir and aishah lover etc. no matter if you know her or not, she will usually have something funny to say to you. just dont ask her why she loves umar so much.

(1) lets talk about your poetry first; how did you start, what encouraged/ inspired you, how do you find the material and words to write it?

(2) are there any poets you admire, who you try to emulate in your own work?

(3) what advice would you give someone who wished to write poetry, but didnt have the tools?

(4) you are the most lebanesey-lebanese i have ever known. my exposure to lebanese cuisine is limited to wrapped vine leaves and this golden syrupy crispy hot sweet thing that you pour syrup over. how would you introduce a spice-addicted paki like myself to lebanese food? lets say you were throwing a dinner party for the pakistan punjab branch of hezbollah. what starters, mains, desserts etc would you serve, and why?

(5) the inevitable question; tell us about your experience with ziarah?

(6) where do you see yourself in 5 years? how will you get there?

(7) lets imagine that you are on a (halal) speed date event, a potential suitor has 60 seconds to make an impression. what qualities are you looking for in those 60 seconds which would encourage you to investigate that person further?

(8) what do you regret most, and how would you change it if you could?

(9) what is your ideal job?

(10) write me 10 lines of poetry, of a traveller who has crossed continents for visiting karbala, and he realises he is within the last kilometer.

[SD2]

ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH "You have reached your quota of positive votes for the day"

:MAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD:

Oh and to your post MDM : +1

[Devotee]

Bliss's answers should be great iA! MDM you is on a rollll..

[SD2]

Devotee, on 20 November 2011 - 07:25 PM, said:

Bliss's answers should be great iA! MDM you is on a rollll..

WOOOOOOOOOT I PRESSED LIKE AND IT WORKED

[Blissful]

Maula Dha Mallang, on 20 November 2011 - 07:18 PM, said:

the next person i am going to interview is sis Blissful

one of the enigmas of shiachat, sis Blissful is known mainly by many for two things - her poetry and her presence in the chatroom. speaking first about her poetry, she has stirred emotions and thoughts in readers for as long as she has been contributing both here and on her blog. much more profound and exquisitely written then you would imagine, she has a way of capturing thoughts in symbolic form and expressing them as poetry. personally, i have been stalking the poetry forum and her blog (that she shares with another member of sc) for a while just to read her work. her presence in the chatroom is quite another thing. she is almost a jekyll and hyde member, who constantly is involved in the jokes and pranks, and is a thorn in my side by always calling me a muqassir and aishah lover etc. no matter if you know her or not, she will usually have something funny to say to you. just dont ask her why she loves umar so much.

First off Salam to my dearest Muqassir MDM and everybody else Thanks for giving me the chance to be interviewed.

Maula Dha Mallang, on 20 November 2011 - 07:18 PM, said:

(1) lets talk about your poetry first; how did you start, what encouraged/ inspired you, how do you find the material and words to write it?

I first started writing when I was about 11 or 12. I'd always loved reading, writing stories etc from a young age as mum hounded books into me left right and center. I had an extremely tough childhood, many many problems and incidents, and I wasn't ever the type to speak up about it and let every body know what was wrong. Even though I was all smiles, and still am - I always bottled things up, never told anybody what was wrong - even my own family. So I turned to letting my thoughts out on paper and from then on it's just blossomed. Material wise, I always had a little notebook I wrote in and the vocab had all built from my feelings and the accumulations of what I have read.

Maula Dha Mallang, on 20 November 2011 - 07:18 PM, said:

(2) are there any poets you admire, who you try to emulate in your own work?

I'm a HUGGGGEEEEEEEEEEEE fan of mystical/irfani poetry. In particular I love Rumi, Hafiz, Omar Khayyam, Ayatollah Khomeini, Rabia al Basri, Saadi and Bulleh Shah. It is daring and lyrically beautiful to those who truly understand its essence.

Other than those, I love modernist poets - particularly TS Elliot. Also Emily Dickinson. Big fan of her poetry. If anything I emulate more modernist style poetry, free verse, exploring your feelings, particularly that of displacement which is typical of that style of poetry. I like rhyme, though I cannot do it even if I tried (I believe I tried once though, it was okay I think) Rhyming is beautiful if you can master it, though I can't and prefer my thoughts coming straight out of my pem without the extra forced effort.

Maula Dha Mallang, on 20 November 2011 - 07:18 PM, said:

(3) what advice would you give someone who wished to write poetry, but didnt have the tools?

Poetry isn't necessarily something that needs to be translated to paper. Or needs to be sealed and written for preservation and for the world to see. Everytime you have a thought about God say, about His beauty, about the warm buzz of a child's laughter, the curve of a rose petal - what goes through your head is poetry. It is that intensity and concentration of your innermost emotions playing through your head. My advice is keep your thoughts running, admire absolutely everything as if you will never see it again. Spoil it with your most preserved thoughts and words in return for the joy or sorrow that it may bring you for it is those moments that your mind speaks to you - that you are one with yourself. One with your thoughts, words and actions. Whenever you speak to others on a deep matter, speak eloquently and people will admire the poetical wisdom. It is beautiful words that imprint your mind forever - so speak to others in the way that will influence them and their thoughts, and in the way that they will remember your words.

Maula Dha Mallang, on 20 November 2011 - 07:18 PM, said:

(4) you are the most lebanesey-lebanese i have ever known. my exposure to lebanese cuisine is limited to wrapped vine leaves and this golden syrupy crispy hot sweet thing that you pour syrup over. how would you introduce a spice-addicted paki like myself to lebanese food? lets say you were throwing a dinner party for the pakistan punjab branch of hezbollah. what starters, mains, desserts etc would you serve, and why?

That goldy syrupy thing would be called Mshabak. I hate it
Ahhhhh wouldn't that be awesome! Well here's the thing, there is your typical leb cooking that everybody knows and then there is the village food. The food that is unique to every village and that people may not know about at all. Arab hospitality does not have your "starters, mains, desserts" type of layout. It's all out at once for people to dive into. I would choose an open area, like a large living room and lay out a soffra or cloth as we tend to eat on the floor. Otherwise, feast outside.
Now I know you guys like spice, but hey. Arabs can be a little sensitive to that (I must say though, I absolutely love Pakistani food and can handle the heat thank god thank god thank god ). I would put on the soffra the following things:
- Mezza. This is "Lebanese starters" which is hummus, baba ghanoush, tablah salad, tabbouli salad, fatoush, garlic sauce, chilli sauce, toased pita bread and olives.
- Koussa mehshi: stuffed zuchinis (rice and meat) in a tomato broth. The reason I chose this is because lots of chilli can be added to it which you guys like
- Shish tawook and kafta. (grilled/bbq'ed kebabs that have been marinated for days)
- Lamb shanks in a citrusy lemon sauce served with rice or cous cous.
- Desserts wise: not a fan of Arab desserts, I must be honest. Though if I had to pick one I would say znood el sit. They are rolls of filo pastry filled with clotted cream and fried off, covered with a rose petal syrup. Absolutely amazing.

I would mention more but we'd be here for donkeys years That's Arab hospitality for you.

Maula Dha Mallang, on 20 November 2011 - 07:18 PM, said:

(5) the inevitable question; tell us about your experience with ziarah?

Glad you asked this. My first experience was about 8 years old and it was quite an emotional one. I  went to visit Sayyeda Zainab with my mother. I didn't know who she was, why I was going. All I knew is I had to cover up and stay close to mama. Mum held my hand, took me in and held me up to the haram and I remember hearing her say: This is for you Sayyidati, out of all my children. Help and guide her bi haqqi muhammad wa ahlihi. Then she told me told me to wish for anything - and I did.
The second time was in Iran a couple of years later. 2008. I loved the experience, the country, the people. I'll be honest though, there was something I didn't quite feel on that ziyarah until I went to Jamkaran. Out of all the places it was there and then that I was the most content. It was like heaven, too beautiful for the eyes to see and for the hands to touch. I can't even imagine how heaven must be itself if the abodes of the Imam's are so beautiful.
The funniest experience I had there. I climbed/held onto the haram of Imam Ridha and wouldn't get off. All I see is this lady hitting me with a broomstick and in my head I'm thinking who the hell is this psycho menopausal woman. Later on I had my camera out when I wasn't supposed to, and she chased me through the mosque shouting "KHANOM KHANOM". Hilarious!

Maula Dha Mallang, on 20 November 2011 - 07:18 PM, said:

(6) where do you see yourself in 5 years? how will you get there?

Only God knows. But judging by how I am going now, I will be in University studying my behind off. I will definately be married by then.
I hope for the usual and a little bit more. I hope to be more active in my community and speak up about issues in the Muslim world. I want to work with mosques and Islamic organisations, and let the true message of Islam reach everybody, even if they were not Muslim. I hope to get there with honest, hard work that I haven't been putting in as much as I should be. Procrastination and laziness gets the better of you and even though it's inevitable, I hope to God that with my determination it can be done.

Maula Dha Mallang, on 20 November 2011 - 07:18 PM, said:

(7) lets imagine that you are on a (halal) speed date event, a potential suitor has 60 seconds to make an impression. what qualities are you looking for in those 60 seconds which would encourage you to investigate that person further?

Above anything to me is humour, a carefree personality and open mindedness. If he blabs, forget it.
It would definately click if he was funny.

Maula Dha Mallang, on 20 November 2011 - 07:18 PM, said:

(8) what do you regret most, and how would you change it if you could?

I regret being very stubborn. I used to hate people's advice, hate my own advice and do whatever my mind told me to do whilst being unaware of other people's feelings. I was unaware of the ripple effect. lol this is getting personal but I'll say it.
Before zyarah I had a very bad argument with my parents about something, and I refused to go with them. I didn't care about ziyarah at all after that. They went to the airport without me and I stayed back until reality hit and I followed them before the flight took off. It was all hell broken loose. They thought I went mad. Even before hajj when I went, I was angry as to why they were taking me if I didn't even know why. Alhamdulilah though, if they never did what they did I wouldn't be the person I am today, I wouldn't even think of living a life dedicated to Allah. I have changed this aspect of myself most definately, and have come to realise that life is so much more if you let it be.

Maula Dha Mallang, on 20 November 2011 - 07:18 PM, said:

(9) what is your ideal job?

I would love to be some sort of historian. An Islamic one perhaps. If not then a book reviewer. Read and get paid doing what you love to do. God, imagine that!

Maula Dha Mallang, on 20 November 2011 - 07:18 PM, said:

(10) write me 10 lines of poetry, of a traveller who has crossed continents for visiting karbala, and he realises he is within the last kilometer.

The desert eagle has sensed my sadness.
I called him and said, solace me.
Comfort with me your chants, renew me with your wings.
Fly to God and tell Him, in all your beauty -
Tell Him my heart aches like the desert without rain
For the chance to stand baynul haramayn.
Silent he was, and far did he journey.
Refusing to talk, leaving me yearning.
Why, little bird, have you surged my pain?
Feel it, he said. For you are soon to meet Husayn.

[-Enlightened]

Blissful ! how nice , i loved your poetry part
I also loved the ziyara experience, i laughed at the ''Khanom'' part

[SD2]

Enlightened_x, on 20 November 2011 - 09:00 PM, said:

Blissful ! how nice , i loved your poetry part
I also loved the ziyara experience, i laughed at the ''Khanom'' part

ARGHHHHHHHH MAN You have reached your quota of positive votes for the day

+1

[Blissful]

Enlightened_x, on 20 November 2011 - 09:00 PM, said:

Blissful ! how nice , i loved your poetry part
I also loved the ziyara experience, i laughed at the ''Khanom'' part

Thankyou sis! Honored to be quoted in your signature <3

[HellHound]

Blissful, on 20 November 2011 - 11:10 PM, said:

Thankyou sis! Honored to be quoted in your signature <3

She's lying. She's disgusted to be on your signature Enlight. I suggest you delete it right now or she lands a mushrik bomb on you.

[Blissful]

^ excuse me but this thread wasn't made for omar lovers to contribute to. So please, if you may.
Kthnksbye.

[Maula Dha Mallang]

Blissful, on 20 November 2011 - 08:45 PM, said:

I first started writing when I was about 11 or 12. I'd always loved reading, writing stories etc from a young age as mum hounded books into me left right and center. I had an extremely tough childhood, many many problems and incidents, and I wasn't ever the type to speak up about it and let every body know what was wrong. Even though I was all smiles, and still am - I always bottled things up, never told anybody what was wrong - even my own family. So I turned to letting my thoughts out on paper and from then on it's just blossomed. Material wise, I always had a little notebook I wrote in and the vocab had all built from my feelings and the accumulations of what I have read.

do you want to talk about your childhood?

Blissful, on 20 November 2011 - 08:45 PM, said:

I'm a HUGGGGEEEEEEEEEEEE fan of mystical/irfani poetry. In particular I love Rumi, Hafiz, Omar Khayyam, Ayatollah Khomeini, Rabia al Basri, Saadi and Bulleh Shah. It is daring and lyrically beautiful to those who truly understand its essence.

you are a fan of bulleh shah dude i love his work! how did you find out about him, which of his poetry do you like? personally my favourite poems are "tere ishq nachaya" and these immortal words which have resonated with me my entire life:

masjid dhadhe, mandir dhahde
dhadhe jo kuj dhehnda
parr kissi da dil na dhavin
rabb dillan vich rehnda

break down the masjid, break down the hindu temple,
break down whatever can be broken
but never break anyones hearts
rabb lives in peoples hearts

are you allowed to listen to religious music? if so, i can introduce you to an entire genre of the most talented and beautiful devotional music, by the greatest singers in pakistan and india, who have sung his poetry as the lyrics to their songs. see in pakistan/ india there was a culture in music of an apprentice dedicating their entire lives to their masters, who taught them how to sing. when islam spread to south asia, the culture remained but the muslims began to sing about islamic themes. if you are interested i can show you a couple of links to get you introduced to the genre. these days poets sing about god, and imam ali and the masumeen in almost every gathering imaginable. a majalis is not complete unless at least one poet sings some lines in praise of the masumeen , personally i have seen sikhs, christians, hindus and non shia get up and dance to a singer who was singing about imam ali , they did not even understand the words, they just lost themselves in the beauty and power of his voice. when i was younger we used to invite or go to visit poets (we call them "zaakirs" - or "ones who do zikr") who travelled to the uk, and spend the evening listening to them singing about the masumeen.

Blissful, on 20 November 2011 - 08:45 PM, said:

Other than those, I love modernist poets - particularly TS Elliot. Also Emily Dickinson. Big fan of her poetry. If anything I emulate more modernist style poetry, free verse, exploring your feelings, particularly that of displacement which is typical of that style of poetry. I like rhyme, though I cannot do it even if I tried (I believe I tried once though, it was okay I think) Rhyming is beautiful if you can master it, though I can't and prefer my thoughts coming straight out of my pem without the extra forced effort.

rhyme is not neccessary, i agree, but when done right, the poem becomes almost magical. there is something about a well timed, rhyming poem (that makes sense) which makes you want to read it again and again.

can you c&p or link us some rhyming poetry that you recently read, which you found to be particularly powerful? why would you choose that particular poem?

Blissful, on 20 November 2011 - 08:45 PM, said:

Poetry isn't necessarily something that needs to be translated to paper. Or needs to be sealed and written for preservation and for the world to see. Everytime you have a thought about God say, about His beauty, about the warm buzz of a child's laughter, the curve of a rose petal - what goes through your head is poetry. It is that intensity and concentration of your innermost emotions playing through your head. My advice is keep your thoughts running, admire absolutely everything as if you will never see it again. Spoil it with your most preserved thoughts and words in return for the joy or sorrow that it may bring you for it is those moments that your mind speaks to you - that you are one with yourself. One with your thoughts, words and actions. Whenever you speak to others on a deep matter, speak eloquently and people will admire the poetical wisdom. It is beautiful words that imprint your mind forever - so speak to others in the way that will influence them and their thoughts, and in the way that they will remember your words.

mash'Allah there is so much truth in what you say. i can never been as eloquent a speaker as someone like nakshawani, or modaressi or any of the many famous speakers we have, so i express myself through my keyboard on shiachat. i find a voice when talking about religious issues such as aza, or tawassul or things like that that i cannot find in real life, so i know what you are saying is not wrong. i doubt i am the only one as well.

it seems to me that you use poetry as a personal therapy tool, would you say this is the case? will there ever be a time you envision, where you decide that you do not need to write any more?

Blissful, on 20 November 2011 - 08:45 PM, said:

That goldy syrupy thing would be called Mshabak. I hate it

yeah well, thats probably because you are gay, may Allah guide you.

Blissful, on 20 November 2011 - 08:45 PM, said:

Ahhhhh wouldn't that be awesome! Well here's the thing, there is your typical leb cooking that everybody knows and then there is the village food. The food that is unique to every village and that people may not know about at all.

tell me more about this; what is unique to your  village, as compared to the "modern standard" lebanese food?

also, does your village have any unique cultures/ customs?

Blissful, on 20 November 2011 - 08:45 PM, said:

I would mention more but we'd be here for donkeys years That's Arab hospitality for you.

what distinguishes "lebanese" food to, say, "syrian" food or "turkish" food? arent they all the same?

Blissful, on 20 November 2011 - 08:45 PM, said:

Glad you asked this. My first experience was about 8 years old and it was quite an emotional one. I  went to visit Sayyeda Zainab with my mother. I didn't know who she was, why I was going. All I knew is I had to cover up and stay close to mama. Mum held my hand, took me in and held me up to the haram and I remember hearing her say: This is for you Sayyidati, out of all my children. Help and guide her bi haqqi muhammad wa ahlihi. Then she told me told me to wish for anything - and I did.
The second time was in Iran a couple of years later. 2008. I loved the experience, the country, the people. I'll be honest though, there was something I didn't quite feel on that ziyarah until I went to Jamkaran. Out of all the places it was there and then that I was the most content. It was like heaven, too beautiful for the eyes to see and for the hands to touch. I can't even imagine how heaven must be itself if the abodes of the Imam's are so beautiful.
The funniest experience I had there. I climbed/held onto the haram of Imam Ridha and wouldn't get off. All I see is this lady hitting me with a broomstick and in my head I'm thinking who the hell is this psycho menopausal woman. Later on I had my camera out when I wasn't supposed to, and she chased me through the mosque shouting "KHANOM KHANOM". Hilarious!

shia women are nuts!!! what is it with you ladies that you go crazy in front of a zari???

do you have any future plans for ziarah/ hajj/ umrah etc?

Blissful, on 20 November 2011 - 08:45 PM, said:

Only God knows. But judging by how I am going now, I will be in University studying my behind off. I will definately be married by then.
I hope for the usual and a little bit more. I hope to be more active in my community and speak up about issues in the Muslim world. I want to work with mosques and Islamic organisations, and let the true message of Islam reach everybody, even if they were not Muslim. I hope to get there with honest, hard work that I haven't been putting in as much as I should be. Procrastination and laziness gets the better of you and even though it's inevitable, I hope to God that with my determination it can be done.

how will you achieve this, in a world where people (muslim and non muslim) care less and less?

Blissful, on 20 November 2011 - 08:45 PM, said:

Above anything to me is humour, a carefree personality and open mindedness. If he blabs, forget it.
It would definately click if he was funny.

blabs? cries? how would you make a stranger cry in 60 seconds

Blissful, on 20 November 2011 - 08:45 PM, said:

I regret being very stubborn. I used to hate people's advice, hate my own advice and do whatever my mind told me to do whilst being unaware of other people's feelings. I was unaware of the ripple effect. lol this is getting personal but I'll say it.
Before zyarah I had a very bad argument with my parents about something, and I refused to go with them. I didn't care about ziyarah at all after that. They went to the airport without me and I stayed back until reality hit and I followed them before the flight took off. It was all hell broken loose. They thought I went mad. Even before hajj when I went, I was angry as to why they were taking me if I didn't even know why. Alhamdulilah though, if they never did what they did I wouldn't be the person I am today, I wouldn't even think of living a life dedicated to Allah. I have changed this aspect of myself most definately, and have come to realise that life is so much more if you let it be.

i feel sorry for your future husband already

Blissful, on 20 November 2011 - 08:45 PM, said:

I would love to be some sort of historian. An Islamic one perhaps. If not then a book reviewer. Read and get paid doing what you love to do. God, imagine that!

lol yeah, that would be sweet. would you want to be a "career mum" or a "stay at home" mum?

Blissful, on 20 November 2011 - 08:45 PM, said:

The desert eagle has sensed my sadness.
I called him and said, solace me.
Comfort with me your chants, renew me with your wings.
Fly to God and tell Him, in all your beauty -
Tell Him my heart aches like the desert without rain
For the chance to stand baynul haramayn.
Silent he was, and far did he journey.
Refusing to talk, leaving me yearning.
Why, little bird, have you surged my pain?
Feel it, he said. For you are soon to meet Husayn.

words cannot contain what power your poetry commands

[Blissful]

Maula Dha Mallang, on 21 November 2011 - 05:57 AM, said:

do you want to talk about your childhood?

Ah not really. It was pretty traumatic, very stressful. Left an imprint on me forever. I wouldn't want to talk about it, but let's say that the past has made me the stronger and less effected by the petty things that could upset me. I am greatful for the suffering, honestly.
A mother only loves her child through pain. Through the pain that she endured when she gave birth to it and carried it for months and months on end. In the same way, happiness isn't an emotion taken for granted after you've come out of the dark tunnel.
It makes you who you are.

Maula Dha Mallang, on 21 November 2011 - 05:57 AM, said:

you are a fan of bulleh shah dude i love his work! how did you find out about him, which of his poetry do you like? personally my favourite poems are "tere ishq nachaya" and these immortal words which have resonated with me my entire life:

masjid dhadhe, mandir dhahde
dhadhe jo kuj dhehnda
parr kissi da dil na dhavin
rabb dillan vich rehnda

break down the masjid, break down the hindu temple,
break down whatever can be broken
but never break anyones hearts
rabb lives in peoples hearts

Yehhhhhh I'm a huge fan of Bulleh! Came across him whilst searching up mystical poets, not to mention alot of people on SC admired him. I looked into his poetry more and eventually became obsessed. The thing about his poetry and other mysticals is that it's quite daring and explores things you would never fathom, but somehow you can relate to it.
This is my personal fave from Bulleh. It's very similar to Rumi's "Where is God?"

Love springs eternal

Love springs eternal!
When I learnt the lesson of Love
I dreaded going to the mosque.
Hesitantly, I found a temple
Where they beat a thousand drums.
Love springs eternal! Come!

I am tired of reading holy books,
Fed up with prostrations good.
God is not in Mathura or Mecca.
He who finds Him is enlightened!
Love springs eternal! Come!

Burn the prayer mat, break the beaker!
Quit the rosary, chuck the staff!
Lovers shout at the top of their voices:
Break all rules that tie you down!
Love springs eternal! Come!

Heer and Ranjha are united:
While she searches for him in orchards,
He is in her warm embrace!
She has her love, she is fulfilled!
Love springs eternal! Come!


I wish I knew Urdu for this reason!

Maula Dha Mallang, on 21 November 2011 - 05:57 AM, said:

are you allowed to listen to religious music? if so, i can introduce you to an entire genre of the most talented and beautiful devotional music, by the greatest singers in pakistan and india, who have sung his poetry as the lyrics to their songs. see in pakistan/ india there was a culture in music of an apprentice dedicating their entire lives to their masters, who taught them how to sing. when islam spread to south asia, the culture remained but the muslims began to sing about islamic themes. if you are interested i can show you a couple of links to get you introduced to the genre. these days poets sing about god, and imam ali and the masumeen in almost every gathering imaginable. a majalis is not complete unless at least one poet sings some lines in praise of the masumeen , personally i have seen sikhs, christians, hindus and non shia get up and dance to a singer who was singing about imam ali , they did not even understand the words, they just lost themselves in the beauty and power of his voice. when i was younger we used to invite or go to visit poets (we call them "zaakirs" - or "ones who do zikr") who travelled to the uk, and spend the evening listening to them singing about the masumeen.

That reminded me somehow of those Sufi dancers who spin round and round whilst others chant and stare at them in awe. It's something so beautiful. I've always loved that concept of Sufism - the fact that it explores a different side of God. Of course, there's a barrier - but understanding it can add to the meaning of your existence. I'm amazed as to how they do it. I would personally love to meet one to get their concept on God because it's something I've always had interest in, especially because I love their poets.

Is what you're talking about similar to ghazaals? That is what we call them in Arabic. They are chants about God or somebody else, often sung beautifully without any music at all.
Sure, I'd love to hear them!

Maula Dha Mallang, on 21 November 2011 - 05:57 AM, said:

rhyme is not neccessary, i agree, but when done right, the poem becomes almost magical. there is something about a well timed, rhyming poem (that makes sense) which makes you want to read it again and again.

can you c&p or link us some rhyming poetry that you recently read, which you found to be particularly powerful? why would you choose that particular poem?

I came across this recently. I've read it before over and over, and it's something most would know. A poem from Maya Angelou. Post colonial novels and poetry are something I absolutely love. They're so powerful and meaningful, and some have brought me to tears. God's creation can be so inhumane to each other and forget the fact that no matter the colour, race, religion, we are still human and there are boundaries. Their history is belittled and so are the people, and they are merely branded with poverty and disease, and backwards people. The stories of the colonisation of Africa will always be a read for me, because those people have endured so much and are being ignored by the rest of the world.

This is the poem:

You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I'll rise.

Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.

Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I'll rise.

Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops.
Weakened by my soulful cries.

Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don't you take it awful hard
'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines
Diggin' in my own back yard.

You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I'll rise.

Does my sexiness upset you?
Does it come as a surprise
That I dance like I've got diamonds
At the meeting of my thighs?

Out of the huts of history's shame
I rise
Up from a past that's rooted in pain
I rise
I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.
Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise.

The 7th paragraph might be a little innappropriate for this forum so sorry if it offends anybody. I chose this one because it is meaningful to us. Imam Muhammad al Jawad I think it was, said "We are Shi'ahs and oppression is our badge of honour". This poem is something that re-inforces who I am as a person and why injustice should be stood up to. No matter what the situation, be proud of who you are and tolerant of others, and never ever forget to rise after all hell has broken loose. It means everything to me as a Muslim, a person who stands for Lebanese resistance and for resistance against oppression in general. Do not submit to anybody who belittles you and stand up for what you believe in.
So I think it's a great poem for everybody, that anyone can relate to. Whether it be bullying, political oppression and especially abuse. I've certainly used it as inspiration for one of my poems, if not a couple of them.

Maula Dha Mallang, on 21 November 2011 - 05:57 AM, said:

mash'Allah there is so much truth in what you say. i can never been as eloquent a speaker as someone like nakshawani, or modaressi or any of the many famous speakers we have, so i express myself through my keyboard on shiachat. i find a voice when talking about religious issues such as aza, or tawassul or things like that that i cannot find in real life, so i know what you are saying is not wrong. i doubt i am the only one as well.

it seems to me that you use poetry as a personal therapy tool, would you say this is the case? will there ever be a time you envision, where you decide that you do not need to write any more?

If that's how you express yourself then never let go of it. Alot of the time people make the mistake of not using what they have to offer. If you have a talent then use it and communicate with it and never let it go to waste. Mashallah I think the poetry you have posted so far is beautiful and I admire your love for Ahlul Bayt and your hate for oppressors. (Jks you're a muqassir)

I do use poetry as a therapy tool, definitely. It's comforting. My paper, pen and thoughts. It's therapeutic and the only thing that can calm me if I'm angry, solace me when I'm upset and make me happier if I already am.

At the moment, I've ceased poetry for a little bit. Every time I write poetry it is on paper first and then I post it up. I can never write on the computer. I recently had an operation on my writing hand which has stopped me so that's why I haven't been writing up. That stopped me. But when I heal, inshallah, I'm back to pen and paper and I will never stop writing. Even if it is not poetry anymore. Even if it's just a small little quote or thought, or diary entry. It's routine for me and one of the things that defines me as a person.

Maula Dha Mallang, on 21 November 2011 - 05:57 AM, said:

yeah well, thats probably because you are gay, may Allah guide you.

Dude, hypocrisy is haram.

Maula Dha Mallang, on 21 November 2011 - 05:57 AM, said:

tell me more about this; what is unique to your  village, as compared to the "modern standard" lebanese food?

also, does your village have any unique cultures/ customs?

Village food is something unheard of. It is the type of thing your grandmother will make that no one else would ever make if she wasn't around. For example, my mother makes something called mansoofi. It is flat meat balls that have been combined with soaked wheat and then cooked in a spicy, tomato and onion chunky sauce. Served with yoghurt and mint. Absolutely amazing.

The food is unique. The taste, the smells. If you made the same thing here it wouldn't taste the same. Everything there is from the land, nothing is wasted and nothing is bad quality. I don't know of any foods that are unique to my own village in particular because all the Southern Lebanese villages share similar traits.

Every year during Muharram, however, the people of the village go to this big field and do a re-enactment of the tradgedy of Karbala. Everyone contributes and watches. I'm yet to see this, but I'm going to Lebanon this Saturday and will be there for it all so I'm pretty excited.

Maula Dha Mallang, on 21 November 2011 - 05:57 AM, said:

what distinguishes "lebanese" food to, say, "syrian" food or "turkish" food? arent they all the same?

Lebanese food and Syrian food are pretty much the same. Not many differences.
Turkish food is slightly similar, though their cuisine tends to lean towards the Balkan and even Iranian type foods. Were all influenced by each other, especially the Turkish influence over Syria (because of the Ottoman Empire). I can't really distinguish between them even if I tried, because their similarities are great.

That's the thing I admire about food and cuisine in general. Were all influenced by each other and have similar cultures, even though we may not realise.

Maula Dha Mallang, on 21 November 2011 - 05:57 AM, said:

shia women are nuts!!! what is it with you ladies that you go crazy in front of a zari???

do you have any future plans for ziarah/ hajj/ umrah etc?

I'll reword that. Iranian Shia women are NUTS! It was hilarious. You look at the mens side and they're all uniform, lining up. I even saw a guy let another go infront of him for his turn to touch the haram. Then you contrast it with the ladies side. It's like a bunch of dominoes that sway when one person flinches. I clung to the haram because I went so many times and never ever came close to it because these ladies flooded the place. So there I was, this tiny little girl surrounded by tall black figures resembling voldemort and his creepy cape, clinging to the haram like GO AWAY! HE'S MINE TOO! And even though I went again after, it was the only time I came close to the haram. That's how packed it was. Gotta love Iranians. Or Eeeeeraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawnis, rather.

I do! Alhamdulilah I've been to Iran, Syria, Hajj. I would love to go to Karbala. Not only to see Husayn but Abu Fadhl al Abbas. There is a deeper love I have for Abu Fadhl and it is the story of his death that makes me cry the most on the day. If Allah sw. grants me the chance, I would definately go there.

Maula Dha Mallang, on 21 November 2011 - 05:57 AM, said:

how will you achieve this, in a world where people (muslim and non muslim) care less and less?

Be the person that stands out from the rest. If there is less and less of something good in the world then corruption has taken over. We are not living the proper life and walking the talk. I would do it even if I had no support and even if people thought I was a complete weirdo wasting my time. It takes one person to make a difference and I'd never back down on that statement. Hearing it is like hearing "everything gets better" when you're depressed. It sucks and you want to completely annihalite the person who reinforces the impossible. But it can be done.

Nothing is impossible and the sky is your limit to live how you want within the guidelines that Allah swt has laid down for you.

Maula Dha Mallang, on 21 November 2011 - 05:57 AM, said:

blabs? cries? how would you make a stranger cry in 60 seconds

I remember whilst reading Kite Runner. Amir wrote the story of the man who had a cup and when he cried, his tears would turn to pearls inside it. So he killed his wife and ended up with a mound of pearls. Ali asked him: Agha, why didn't the man just peel an onion? He wouldn't have needed to kill his wife.

So I'd gladly peel an onion without hurting the poor person

Maula Dha Mallang, on 21 November 2011 - 05:57 AM, said:

i feel sorry for your future husband already

Yeh. It's not like I have a temper or anything....
You can't talk! I bet wonderer would run away from you on the day of Ashura. Haha, bless her <3 Did I tell you about the tatbir in Southern Leb? My my.

Maula Dha Mallang, on 21 November 2011 - 05:57 AM, said:

lol yeah, that would be sweet. would you want to be a "career mum" or a "stay at home" mum?

I would be a stay at home mum. Before hand I'd like to work though at least. But after the child is born, you be there for it and nurture it. I hate it when mothers ditch the children at a carer and go to work. If you needed to and those were your circumstances because of financial problems, then that is understandable. But if you know you can stay with your child, at least till the age of 4 or 5, then that is good. A child needs love, nurturing and educating later on. I await the day I can wake to my children and spend the day with them, rather then ask them how their day was when I come home from work.

Maula Dha Mallang, on 21 November 2011 - 05:57 AM, said:

words cannot contain what power your poetry commands

Thankyou, MDM. I'm humbled by that.

Edited by Blissful, 21 November 2011 - 08:42 AM.

[imaan=faith]

عزیز دلم شما دیگه چرا؟
....غیبت که شاخ و دم نداره
و ضمنا حق الناسه ...
فتأمل..

[Maula Dha Mallang]

imaan=faith, on 21 November 2011 - 12:36 PM, said:

عزیز دلم شما دیگه چرا؟
....غیبت که شاخ و دم نداره
و ضمنا حق الناسه ...
فتأمل..

english?

[alradhiya]

I wonder why MDM's suddenly started interviewing females?

Loved reading all your answers though, may Allah bless you all, insha'Allah

Edited by alradhiya, 21 November 2011 - 12:49 PM.