372 replies to this topic

[Maula Dha Mallang]

alradhiya, on 21 November 2011 - 12:48 PM, said:

I wonder why MDM's suddenly started interviewing females?

rest assured, Blissful and 1 more sister are the final ones!!!!

[imaan=faith]

baradar_jackson, on 19 November 2011 - 12:26 AM, said:

آخه اسم منو کنار اون مرتکه ی بی ناموس میذاری خواهر جون؟؟؟

بهم بر خورد

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

[ImAli]

Maula Dha Mallang, on 21 November 2011 - 12:55 PM, said:

rest assured, Blissful and 1 more sister are the final ones!!!!

Who's the other sister? Don't keep us in suspense

[SD2]

ImAli, on 21 November 2011 - 01:05 PM, said:

Who's the other sister? Don't keep us in suspense

We will have to wait and seeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee .. the suspense is fun

alradhiya, on 21 November 2011 - 12:48 PM, said:

I wonder why MDM's suddenly started interviewing females?

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

Maybe so you don't start complaining about how no Females were interviewed?

[alradhiya]

SD2, on 21 November 2011 - 02:41 PM, said:

Maybe so you don't start complaining about how no Females were interviewed?

Maybe because my advice was awesome? See how popular his thread is now! It's okay MDM, you can thank me later

Edited by alradhiya, 21 November 2011 - 02:44 PM.

[SD2]

alradhiya, on 21 November 2011 - 02:44 PM, said:

Maybe because my advice was awesome? See how popular his thread is now! It's okay MDM, you can thank me later

Shut Up

[baradar_jackson]

imaan=faith, on 21 November 2011 - 12:57 PM, said:

ÍÇÌی ÔãÇ Ïیå ÑÇ¿
....ÛیÈÊ ˜å ÔÇÎ æ Ïã äÏÇÑå
æ ÖãäÇ ÍÞ ÇáäÇÓå ...
ÝÊÃãá..

ÛیÈÊ äیÓÊ ÈÇÈÇ Èå ÎæÏÔ åã ãیã!

[Maula Dha Mallang]

Question set 3 of 3

Blissful, on 21 November 2011 - 08:35 AM, said:

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.

a saying comes to my mind, which applies to you: you are one of those who "do not walk into the future facing backwards", i am glad that you were not broken by the blows of the past, but like the human bone you reformed even stronger than before. this doesnt mean that you were the same as before, there will always be the lumps where the breaks happened. am i right?

Blissful, on 21 November 2011 - 08:35 AM, said:

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!

beautiful. personally i like rumi as well. my favourite poem of his is actually a love poem, "thou and i":

Joyful the moment when we sat in the bower, Thou and I;
In two forms and with two faces - with one soul, Thou and I.

The colour of the garden and the song of the birds give the elixir of immortality
The instant we come into the orchard, Thou and I.

The stars of Heaven come out to look upon us -
We shall show the moon herself to them, Thou and I.

Thou and I, with no 'Thou' or 'I', shall become one through our tasting;
Happy, safe from idle talking, Thou and I.

The spirited parrots of heaven will envy us -
Wen we shall laugh in such a way, Thou and I.

This is stranger, that Thou and I, in this corner here...
Are both in one breath here and there - Thou and I.
Rumi

do you flavour your own poetry with the spices of their works?

Blissful, on 21 November 2011 - 08:35 AM, said:

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!

a ghazal is similar sort of thing in paki, but we often use musical instruments.

try this for a starter - listen to her wonderful soulful husky voice sing his poetry. from 2 mins 40 its translated into the subtitles so you can understand what she is saying



you have learnt so much by reading a thousand books
have you ever read what is inside your nafs?
you run to sit in the masjid or the hindu temple
have you ever visited your own soul?
you who are busy fighting shaytaan (in others),
have you ever fought your own evil intentions?

you have reached the sky (in respect in front of peoples eyes)
but you have failed to reach what is inside your heart

here is a sikh singing bulleh shah



ive chosen it because its translated throughout, tell me what you think about the lyrics. it is a poem saying "i do not know what i am, im not a muslim, sikh, hindu, jew or christian, i am not rich, poor, religious or non religious" i.e. if you remove all the labels, all we are, is human, and that is to say equal creations of a maker

this is a video called "Allah hoo" which doesnt really translate into anything, but generally means "Allah is he" or "Allah is one", along those lines. his voice is kinda grating at the start but at around 1 min 25 when the backing singers take over, it just goes to a whole different level

coke studio is a tv series where the most talented musicians come on and just start jamming together. its produced some amazing gems of devotional music.



another by saeen zahoor, "alef Allah" means that the way the letter alef stands alone, Allah stands alone. same as before, his voice is slightly irritationg, but the backing singers take it away. he is singing the same bulleh shah lyrics as abida parveen (the first video)



one by the maestro himself - dum hama dum ali ali. in paki, "dum hama dam" means the heartbeat, so "dum hama dam ali ali" means "my heartbeat says ali ali".



part 2:



finally, how can i end without a mention of "mast qalandar", one of the #1 famous devotional songs in pakistan. this time recited by komal rizvi. just lose yourself in her voice



i could go on for literally hours, but i think this is enough of a taster. what do you think?

Blissful, on 21 November 2011 - 08:35 AM, said:

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.

simply wonderful!!!!

have you read much about the subject of apartheit etc? maybe seen films like the blood diamond? what got you interested in the plight of afirca? how valuable is the land if you can run your hand through the sand in kimberley beach and pick up diamonds, yet why is africa barely surviving?

i have worked with a former child soldier from sierra leone as part of my charity, how would you stop the use of children soldiers in africa, and how could this be translated to muslim countries to stop young muslims becoming talibani?

Blissful, on 21 November 2011 - 08:35 AM, said:

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)

*shrugs* ill stick around till they ban me. ive seen all sorts happen here, maybe between people like me, marbles and abbas shakiri and others we have a wider idea of whats going on compared to the newer members.

Blissful, on 21 November 2011 - 08:35 AM, said:

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.

have you ever thought of painting, sculpture or other types of expression? why limit yourself to poetry?

Blissful, on 21 November 2011 - 08:35 AM, said:

Dude, hypocrisy is haram.

well, according to you i love umar, so why not follow his sunnah?

Blissful, on 21 November 2011 - 08:35 AM, said:

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.

i think i got cholesterol just by reading that. do you have seasonal foods? if so, what do you normally eat in winter?

Blissful, on 21 November 2011 - 08:35 AM, said:

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.

tell us about the first time you witnessed tatbir in your village? what went through your mind?

Blissful, on 21 November 2011 - 08:35 AM, said:

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.

i have always wanted to see that. this last year in shaam i got in trouble because there was this arab brother sat on a horse outside the haram of sayyeda on arbaeen, dressed up and pretending to be (i assume) shimr maloon. something flipped in my head so i ran, jumped, punched him in his thigh and dragged him off his horse to the ground and started beating the poor fellow. this bunch of old paki women tried to stop me, i said in punjabi "this son of a  is shimr!!!" they all started crying and started hitting him with their slippers and swearing at him in punjabi. this dude looked more confused than in pain cos he couldnt understand why we were attacking him.

the arab guys got furious with us cos we ruined their aza i would love to see it behind a security fence though. my brother covered my head in a cloak and slipped me away before i got jumped.

Blissful, on 21 November 2011 - 08:35 AM, said:

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.

would you say you are a "foodie" then? if you were to throw a dinner party for any living or dead non masum, who would it be, what would the food be and what conversation would you like to hear?

Blissful, on 21 November 2011 - 08:35 AM, said:

I'll reword that. Iranian Shia women are NUTS! It was hilarious.

dude you got that right.

Blissful, on 21 November 2011 - 08:35 AM, said:

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.

lol i love iranians man. wish they could handle their spices, but theyre lovely people.

Blissful, on 21 November 2011 - 08:35 AM, said:

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.

how would you go? if you could, would you walk between najaf and karbala?

Blissful, on 21 November 2011 - 08:35 AM, said:

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.

how would you encourage/ lead others to follow your example? people who are apathetic at best? how could you stir them up?

Blissful, on 21 November 2011 - 08:35 AM, said:

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.

true words, mashallah

Blissful, on 21 November 2011 - 08:35 AM, said:

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

LOL yeah, what did you think of kite runner? have you read a thousand splendid suns?

Blissful, on 21 November 2011 - 08:35 AM, said:

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.

yeah im a bit of an animal on ashura. good thing she doesnt need to stich me up though. youd think with her knitting skills it would be easy for her!

Blissful, on 21 November 2011 - 08:35 AM, said:

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.

i wish all that you desire comes true, insha'Allah. you will be a great mum, everyone can tell.

Blissful, on 21 November 2011 - 08:35 AM, said:

Thankyou, MDM. I'm humbled by that.

the pleasure is all mine

Edited by Maula Dha Mallang, 22 November 2011 - 06:09 PM.

[ImAli]

Maula Dha Mallang, on 22 November 2011 - 06:04 PM, said:

what did you think of kite runner?

Oh that made me cry . I didn't read the book, I watched the movie (want to read the book when I have time).......poor Hassan and his son .

[SD2]

Maula Dha Mallang, on 22 November 2011 - 06:04 PM, said:

lol i love iranians man. wish they could handle their spices, but theyre lovely people.

I can handle my spices, I loveeee Spicy Food

[DoubleAgent4]

ImAli, on 22 November 2011 - 06:53 PM, said:

Oh that made me cry . I didn't read the book, I watched the movie (want to read the book when I have time).......poor Hassan and his son .

The movie doesn't do justice to the book.

[_JuGNii]

I am liking these Paki links being posted.. the CLASSIC soofism.. Bulleh Shah.. and the coke studio collection.. every year summit better n better comes out.. i LOVE..

[Maula Dha Mallang]

_JuGNii, on 22 November 2011 - 07:22 PM, said:

I am liking these Paki links being posted.. the CLASSIC soofism.. Bulleh Shah.. and the coke studio collection.. every year summit better n better comes out.. i LOVE..

pakistan has made whole generations learn and sing the words bulleh shah, ameer khusro, sakhi shahbaaz, rumi and so many others

[ImAli]

Hawraa29, on 22 November 2011 - 07:05 PM, said:

The movie doesn't do justice to the book.

I have to get the book....and find the time

[Blissful]

Question set 3 of 3

a saying comes to my mind, which applies to you: you are one of those who "do not walk into the future facing backwards", i am glad that you were not broken by the blows of the past, but like the human bone you reformed even stronger than before. this doesnt mean that you were the same as before, there will always be the lumps where the breaks happened. am i right?

Exactly. I couldn't have said it better myself.

Your past experiences stain and mark your heart for a reason - the harder the experiences, the more wisdom you gain to learn how to deal with your life. Of course you're going to remember them, it's not as if they've eradicated just because you've chosen to move on. Keep these experiences in the back of your mind but don't let them overtake you. That is key. They're exactly like bruises. They will come and disappear.


beautiful. personally i like rumi as well. my favourite poem of his is actually a love poem, "thou and i":

Joyful the moment when we sat in the bower, Thou and I;
In two forms and with two faces - with one soul, Thou and I.

The colour of the garden and the song of the birds give the elixir of immortality
The instant we come into the orchard, Thou and I.

The stars of Heaven come out to look upon us -
We shall show the moon herself to them, Thou and I.

Thou and I, with no 'Thou' or 'I', shall become one through our tasting;
Happy, safe from idle talking, Thou and I.

The spirited parrots of heaven will envy us -
Wen we shall laugh in such a way, Thou and I.

This is stranger, that Thou and I, in this corner here...
Are both in one breath here and there - Thou and I.
Rumi.

This is my favourite Rumi poem. Titled "where is God?":

I tried to find Him on the Christian cross, but He was not there; I went to the Temple of the Hindus and to the old pagoda, but I could not find a trace of Him anywhere.

I searched the mountains and the valleys but neither in the heights nor in the depths was I able to find Him. I went to the Kaaba in Mecca, but He was not there either.

I questioned the scholars and philosophers, but He was beyond their understanding.

I then looked into my heart and it was there where He dwelled that I saw him; He was nowhere else to be found.



do you flavour your own poetry with the spices of their works?

I do actually. This is one of my poems actually inspired by Rumi's "Where is God?"

You flooded my heart and built a pathway there.
Follow it You said, come find me.
Filters of deception always obstructed and blinded me from Your light.
Satan always managed to take over and whisper in my soul.
Follow it You said, come find me.
I entwine myself with my ugly criticisms
And use my ink as a hypocrisy behind paper
Which is as blank as I have become.
Follow it You said, come find me.
My life is a burning rope and it hurts to hold on
And I fail to humble myself before You in abasement
I linger on the thought of sinning
And can't seem to raise the hands You crafted.
Follow it You said, come find me.
How long can I possibly endure the aftermaths of my corruption?
I am dormant and sleeping in negligence
With eyes open and a soul that sleeps
But aware am I to the burning path that I could walk
as I reflect every cursed whisper in the mask of my soul.
Follow it You said, come find me.
But tonight in this darkness, a call louder than ever spoke
And appeared through the clouds and shadows of deception
In the eloquence of silence I have recalled my soul
and removed the veil of the visible world
I trailed the light on that familiar path and looked again in my heart
Don't call, I found You.

I also wrote this one. I was trying to go for the irfani type sort of thing.

O lover of lovers
I have drunk from thy cup of wine and soaked my soul in intoxication.
Who cannot but crave thy beauty, whose face humbles the hungry eye?
O lover of lovers
Thou has pushed me off the ends of the earth and has left me falling
Clothing me under thy cloak of velvet, removing the cloak of pride.
O lover of lovers
Thy heart must be elated
For I sway in ultimate bliss, whilst in my hands embracing the cup of sweet, sweet wine.
Thy heart must be one that cannot forgive the drunkard
Because with every sweet sip, I float in ecstasy and remain in oblivion
O lover of lovers
Your touch is one I cannot fathom
What else can grip the wrists with such ease that no struggle can let free?
That soft embrace and tempting stroke bewilders every fiber and tousles every strand of hair
Entwining my vulnerability and encompassing my awareness.
O lover of lovers
How can I bask in thy light and not be sun-kissed by thy tender complexion?
Nay, your love cannot be as blinding as they say
For they have not seen your radiance, which only true lovers can witness.

O lover of lovers
Woe unto me, for the day I accepted thy sweet bribe.



a ghazal is similar sort of thing in paki, but we often use musical instruments.

try this for a starter - listen to her wonderful soulful husky voice sing his poetry. from 2 mins 40 its translated into the subtitles so you can understand what she is saying

[video]

you have learnt so much by reading a thousand books
have you ever read what is inside your nafs?
you run to sit in the masjid or the hindu temple
have you ever visited your own soul?
you who are busy fighting shaytaan (in others),
have you ever fought your own evil intentions?

you have reached the sky (in respect in front of peoples eyes)
but you have failed to reach what is inside your heart

here is a sikh singing bulleh shah

[video]

ive chosen it because its translated throughout, tell me what you think about the lyrics. it is a poem saying "i do not know what i am, im not a muslim, sikh, hindu, jew or christian, i am not rich, poor, religious or non religious" i.e. if you remove all the labels, all we are, is human, and that is to say equal creations of a maker

this is a video called "Allah hoo" which doesnt really translate into anything, but generally means "Allah is he" or "Allah is one", along those lines. his voice is kinda grating at the start but at around 1 min 25 when the backing singers take over, it just goes to a whole different level

coke studio is a tv series where the most talented musicians come on and just start jamming together. its produced some amazing gems of devotional music.

[video]

another by saeen zahoor, "alef Allah" means that the way the letter alef stands alone, Allah stands alone. same as before, his voice is slightly irritationg, but the backing singers take it away. he is singing the same bulleh shah lyrics as abida parveen (the first video)

[video]

one by the maestro himself - dum hama dum ali ali. in paki, "dum hama dam" means the heartbeat, so "dum hama dam ali ali" means "my heartbeat says ali ali".

[video]

part 2:

[video]

finally, how can i end without a mention of "mast qalandar", one of the #1 famous devotional songs in pakistan. this time recited by komal rizvi. just lose yourself in her voice

[video]

i could go on for literally hours, but i think this is enough of a taster. what do you think?

I absolutely love those! Particularly "mast qalander".
I've always wanted to learn Urdu for this reason. It is such a beautiful and poetic language I'll definately be going back to listen to more of those.

simply wonderful!!!!

have you read much about the subject of apartheit etc? maybe seen films like the blood diamond? what got you interested in the plight of afirca? how valuable is the land if you can run your hand through the sand in kimberley beach and pick up diamonds, yet why is africa barely surviving?

i have worked with a former child soldier from sierra leone as part of my charity, how would you stop the use of children soldiers in africa, and how could this be translated to muslim countries to stop young muslims becoming talibani?

Blood diamond yes. Absolutely. The first time I watched it I actually cried, namely at the part where the father sees his son as a soldier. What got me interested? Somebody reccomennded a book to me, "The Book of Negroes" by Lawrence Hill. I began reading it and couldn't put it down, some pages made me quite emotional too. Africa is a different story. The people are ignored, used and abused. You can say that the rest of the world suffers injustice, sure. But to me, Africa is brushed under the carpet completely.
Money hungry imperialists. What better have they to do but suck the living hell out of others? Because they are inferior and unhuman? Every day really is Karbala.

Mashallah. I would have loved to do something like that. I've always wanted to work with children like that, from Africa or Palestine say. I remember meeting a little girl from Congo. She told me about herself and what they did in her hometown. Horrible and inhumane stories. You could see the pain behind those big, white eyes.

I wish I could stop the use of these children soldiers. They need awareness and the continuity of it. I, personally, would go to the country and educate them on the matter. The cause and effect of what they are doing. Imagine your mothers, I would tell them. It's quite sad, because you don't know what mess you're in until it's too late. I would do the same thing with men becoming talibanis. Why live your lives at the feet of people who are going to send you to hell along with them? These men should be educated and should be collaborating against the enemy, not with it. Knowledge really is key.


*shrugs* ill stick around till they ban me. ive seen all sorts happen here, maybe between people like me, marbles and abbas shakiri and others we have a wider idea of whats going on compared to the newer members.

I respect you elders and inshallah no banning. This site wouldn't be the same without you and Marbles especially. ShiaChat must not have been the same now as it was then. I remember seeing a post on the golden era of ShiaChat. (I think I was born a tad too late). I'll be saying the same thing if I'm still on ShiaChat by that time. That's if the quality on this forum improves. Too many arguments, misunderstandings. Yes it's inevitable but the way people treat them is a different story. You can tell the wisdom from a poster in your SC days, say, to someone on here now.


have you ever thought of painting, sculpture or other types of expression? why limit yourself to poetry?

Always having loved it, poetry comes first naturally. I used to paint. I stopped many many months ago. I loved photography and Arabic calligraphy in particular. I remember last year for my Creative Arts showcase, it was photography inspired by the Iranian artist Shirin Neshat. Check her stuff out. I think it was from then on I haven't done a single artistic thing other than poetry. My paints, canvasses and mosaic tiles have been untouched for a while. Inshallah when my hand recovers, I should get back into it.


well, according to you i love umar, so why not follow his sunnah?

Don't make me bring Shimr into this.



i think i got cholesterol just by reading that. do you have seasonal foods? if so, what do you normally eat in winter?

Haha, it's actually very good for you! One of the healthiest.
We do have seasonal foods yes. Winter is amazing for that reason. We have lots of pulse dishes and stews, slow roasted meats with pulses etc. My favourite is a dish called fasooliya. It is kidney/butter beans cooked with slow roasted lamb shanks in a thick, tomato and coriander broth. A-ma-zing.



tell us about the first time you witnessed tatbir in your village? what went through your mind?

It was close to my village, not directly in it. But the very south all makes up a section of Lebanon called the Nabatieh. So I can't remember which village it was.
I was shocked! Not because I was disgusted by the blood and cutting. Quite the contrary, I loved icky stuff like that. It was more the why factor. Why were they doing it? Are they mad? Isn't this haram? I remember my mother, she flinched at every cut of someones skin. I just stood there gobsmacked and I didn't want to leave (dad's a fainter). I was shocked and amazed.
Now, I think I would have a different outlook on tatbir if I saw it. Not to offend those who are all for it, especially you MDM, but it is not something I am for and can honestly not find the reasoning as to why people do it. I used to be one of those people that said, let them be and let them do what they want. I still sort of say this, but at the same time I am against the act. The reason people have conflict on these matters is because not only are they against the act, but they are against the people who do this. I say you can be against the act if you wanted to, but do not hate on the individual. In the end, Allahul a`lam.



have always wanted to see that. this last year in shaam i got in trouble because there was this arab brother sat on a horse outside the haram of sayyeda on arbaeen, dressed up and pretending to be (i assume) shimr maloon. something flipped in my head so i ran, jumped, punched him in his thigh and dragged him off his horse to the ground and started beating the poor fellow. this bunch of old paki women tried to stop me, i said in punjabi "this son of a  is shimr!!!" they all started crying and started hitting him with their slippers and swearing at him in punjabi. this dude looked more confused than in pain cos he couldnt understand why we were attacking him

the arab guys got furious with us cos we ruined their aza i would love to see it behind a security fence though. my brother covered my head in a cloak and slipped me away before i got jumped.


LOL! Bless you.
I will be attending the one in our village inshallah during Ashura. I'll take photos to show you.
Everyone in our village boos at Shimr and mocks him. I feel sorry for the guy playing him, and all the other oppressors for that matter.
Up until last year there was a /guy in my Arabic class called Yazeed. My god, if only you knew the way I felt every time I saw him. I would get so so angry, beyond angry. How could his parents do such a thing? Furthermore, was he acting on his name or proving it wrong?
I wasn't angry at him, as a person. It was more what the hell his backward parents were thinking when they named him that. Ugh!




would you say you are a "foodie" then? if you were to throw a dinner party for any living or dead non masum, who would it be, what would the food be and what conversation would you like to hear?

Hell yeh. Food is something that brings people together and I find so much joy when giving somebody a plate of something that I've made. I love eating at restaurants, trying different things, experimenting at home etc. My mum was a chef and so was my sister, particularly in desserts. So yeh, it ran through the blood. I still remember little Blissful sitting on the kitchen bench watching mum cook. I still do it till this day.

I would throw a dinner party for my dead grandfather. I couldn't care less about celebraties and significant people. Many reasons as to why I would choose my jido. He was one of those humble old men, and had a husky laugh (he had emphysema). He owned donkeys and cows, and wore one of those white cloths on his head with the black ring. The reason that I choose him is because he was a man who never ate until every single person sat down on the soffrah. If someone didn't like something, he would get up himself, tell his wife to sit down and make another dish for them or buy them something to eat afterwards. He was generous with food and would give you his all at a glimpse of his plate. Conversation wise - everything. I would ask him about all those things I never got to ask him. How was your life as a little boy? What were your hardships, joyous moments and aspirations? I would ask him everything on end as we sit around the soffrah, with the closest of relatives. He had stories behind his eyes that man, and I never brought them out. I wish I did.



dude you got that right.

lol i love iranians man. wish they could handle their spices, but theyre lovely people.

The other day I had Sibsorkhi's Nade Ali in my head. It got way creepy. I'd be sitting there in class humming it. My friend's like, what's that song you're humming?
Nawdeee aliiiiiiiiii ya madharaaaaaaaaaaal ajaw2eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeb *jumps up and down*
Gotta love Iranians. Lovely people, country, culture and food.



how would you go? if you could, would you walk between najaf and karbala?

I would walk it. Why should I drive in a car, air conditioned and furnished, when Imam Hussain walked with bare feet on sands as hot as hell? When Sayyeda Zainab walked behind in a heavy, black abaya in the sweltering heat? If I could go to Karbala I would make it worth it and do it the way it should be done.



how would you encourage/ lead others to follow your example? people who are apathetic at best? how could you stir them up?
true words, mashallah

Walk the talk. Simple as that. Tell them bluntly, if you don't stand up to it and start moving, you're not gonna go anywhere. You will stay miserable and be miserable for as long as you let yourself. Value your own life as a human being, tell yourself who you are and what you stand for. I always stir people up when they tell me things or ask me for advice. I never back down until they tell me what I want to hear. Until they tell me that they will at least try.
I'm one of those people that's like: So what are you gonna do? Sit there, be miserable and cry it out as long as time lets you? If you want to be like that, do so. But know that in the end it is you who is making it worse for yourself.
YEH! I feel like Oprah.



LOL yeah, what did you think of kite runner? have you read a thousand splendid suns?

Haven't read A Thousand Splendid Suns. Kite Runner was beautiful. I was upset at that part with Ali and the boys on the snow. Horrible stories. I could never imagine what is really happening there. The only downfall to Kite Runner is the fact that the plot weakens slightly when Amir and Sohrab are being chased. That weakened the story. But overall, a beautiful book that I would definately encourage others to read.



yeah im a bit of an animal on ashura. good thing she doesnt need to stich me up though. youd think with her knitting skills it would be easy for her!

Ouch!

Mashallah you guys are the best couple. I wish you two all the best, and your relationship wellbeing and happiness. May Allah swt preserve it as long as He can.

i wish all that you desire comes true, insha'Allah. you will be a great mum, everyone can tell.

Thanks, MDM. Inshallah. You will make a great father. I bet when you do adhaan in your child's ear after he/she is born, you'll whisper oh, and laanat on umar. And a couple more cusses where that came from.....

[Maula Dha Mallang]

well, i feel like i could ask you 3, maybe 4 entire rounds of questions blissful, but we have to accept you are travelling from tomorrow, and i appreciate you taking the time today to finish the interview, we all know how busy you are before a flight lol.

thanks for the poetry, the laughs and the deep thoughts, hope you have a safe trip (rehla saeeda) and make sure you take loads of pics for when you get back!!!

id better go contact the next interviewee!

[Blissful]

You're most welcome MDM! Thanks for the opportunity, and well done. This thread is amazing

[HellHound]

Blissful, on 24 November 2011 - 05:51 AM, said:

You're most welcome MDM! Thanks for the opportunity, and well done. This thread is amazing

Get lost already.

Next.

[3rd June]

MDM select some more people plzzz.

[Kamranistan]

3rd June, on 12 December 2011 - 02:30 AM, said:

MDM select some more people plzzz.

O yeah forgot about this

[Maula Dha Mallang]

guys ill pick this up again soon insha'Allah

[3rd June]

Maula Dha Mallang, on 12 December 2011 - 06:29 PM, said:

guys ill pick this up again soon insha'Allah

Thankz Buddy...

[Shia_Debater]

I think I should be interviewed you know....

[Al-Mufeed]

^ again?

[Shia_Debater]

Al-Mufeed, on 17 December 2011 - 02:50 PM, said:

^ again?

Hey comon now, thats not fair. Shia_Debater has never been interviewed before.