Qushayri, "Risalah"

Qushayri , Risalah

A Sufi was once engaged in prayer, when his cell caught fire. He did not stop praying for one moment. Afterwards, people asked him about this. He replied: ‘The divine fire held my attention, so I could not attend to the fire in my cell.’

Qushayri, "Risalah"

The Life of Muhammad

Ibn Ishaq , The Life of Muhammad

When Muhammad reached the Grand Mosque, most of the population was at the entrance, eager to look at him. As he went in, he threw the end of his cloak over his left shoulder, leaving his right arm free. He declared, "May God have mercy on the man who today shows the people he is strong." Then he walked round the Kaba, kissing each side, and finally kissing the black stone. After a short pause he trotted round the Kaba three times, and walked around it a further three times.

Ibn Ishaq , The Life of Muhammad

EID MUBARAK

EID MUBARAK

Ibn Ishaq, The Life of Muhammad

Ibn Ishaq, "The Life of Muhammad"

Abdullah, Muhammad's father, died while Amina was pregnant.
Muhammad was born in the year of the elephant. Amina sent a message to Muhammad's paternal grandfather to inform him of the birth, inviting him to come and look at the baby. When the grandfather arrived, Amina told him of the voice she had heard while she was pregnant. The grandfather took the baby to the Kaba, the shrine in the centre of Mecca, and gave thanks to God for this gift.

-Ibn Ishaq, "The Life of Muhammad"

Aamus part 6 The end

The First citizen wearily looked at the newspaper, he felt as if nearly all his strength had drained away. The newspaper showed tens of thousands of protesters in the streets of the capitol, demanding to be allowed to talk with the Starship in orbit. He knew that soon it would be hundreds of thousands in the streets all across the world. Even members of parliament were for an open dialogue with the foreigners and not just members of the opposition but members of his own party.

Business leaders were sending him text messages hourly it seemed demanding to be allowed to negotiate some sort of trade deals. At breakfast that very morning he and his teenage daughter had argued with his wife and eldest son, who was home on holiday.
An argument that had ended with hurt feelings and words that everyone wished they could take back.

Captain Khalid had told him that the C.S.S. Hamza Yusef would soon be leaving the system and that another ship carrying a diplomatic mission would arrive shortly aster their departure. The captain promised the first citizen that they would impose nothing on Sterns’ world but would respect any decision that they made.

First Citizen Kenny Macaskill simply did not want to go down in the history books as the first citizen who oversaw the collapse of Sterns’ world’s society.

Kharaqani in Attar: Tadhkirat

Kharaqani in Attar: Tadhkirat

I made peace with all the people in the world, resolving never to wage war on anyone, and I waged war against my self and have never since made peace with it.

-Kharaqani in Attar: Tadhkirat

Aamus part Five

Pictures taken of Sterns’ World by unmanned drop probes from the C.S.S. Hamza Yusef

The crew had just finished praying Isha a few minutes before and while most of them were still making dhiker or praying Sunnah, Captain Khalid Muhammad and Sub-Commander Amr Diab met to discuss the day’s events in the officers’ mess over cups of thick sweet Turkish coffee and a large platter of walnut Baklava. Their day had been very busy and both men were grateful for some time to relax.

“The laser flashes directed at the ship are defiantly not an attack sir” stated Sub-Commander Amr, “it is old morse code. It took us a while to find a file on Morse code but we have been able to decode the message, somebody down on the planet is asking us if we can really make their children hear. I can tell you that this is not an official government request.”

Captain Khalid sighed and scratched his head. “Then we do not respond, from the emails and news broadcast we have been monitoring their world is already in an uproar about the offer we made them. I am not about to compound our problems by negotiating outside of official government channels. We are leaving the official diplomatic mission that will be here soon, inshallah, enough of a mess.” Said Captain Khalid sadly still thinking about how his offer of help had blown up in his face.

“Understood sir.”

The two men spent the rest of the evening in silence simply enjoying the coffee and thinking of home.

Picture taken of Sterns' world by unmanned drop probes from the C.S.S. Hamza Yusef

Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jillani

Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jillani

Do not be ruled by lust; seek freedom by following the righteous. Mere claims of piety will not earn you inner freedom. Remain patient in adversity to attain peace, for adversity is the threshold to freedom. Those who cannot persevere are held back from the doors of Mercy.

-Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jillani

Aamus Part 4

The Crew of the C.S.S. Hamza Yusef watch as a probe is launched into orbit to observe them.

The C.S.S. Hamza Yusef sat in high orbit over Sterns’s world, where thousands of very excited amateur astronomers, along with several dozen very concerned military stations watched it. The military stations monitored closely everything the could of the C.S.S. Hamza Yusef, taking special care to make sure that they did not try to communicate with anyone outside of the official government channels. And this was because; despite Sterns’ world’s government best efforts at keeping the arrival of the C.S.S. Hamza Yusef a secret everyone knew. One news station was keeping a steady of a blurry picture of the ship in orbit while instant experts discussed the implications of its arrival on Sterns’ world’s society.

The First Citizen could feel the veins in his neck throbbing as his entire 2 meter frame shook with rage. Help, the foreigners had dared to call it help. Stern’s world was a society which existed in silence. The concept of a society which exists in silence was enshrined in their world’s constitution. A Society in Silence was engraved on Mark Sterns statue outside of the Parliament building. This very thing is why their ancestors had left earth, to get away from this type of prejudice and now after hundreds of years the hearing world had finally tracked them down or if Captain Khalid Muhammad was to be believed, stumbled across.

First Citizen Kenny Macaskill had, had the military step up their jamming operations so that the foreigners ship would not be able to communicate with anyone outside of official channels the internal security apparatus try to make sure there were no leaks. Problem was Sterns’ world was not a police state and people were use to freely expressing themselves. The First citizen was afraid that the dangerous alien ideas that the C.S.S. Hamza Yusef would expose the population to, would destroy their society.

Hadith

It is narrated on the authority of Abu Shuraih al-Khuzai' that the Prophet (may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) observed: He who believes in Allah and the Last Day should do good to his neighbour and he who believes in Allah and the Last Day should show hospitality to the guest and he who believes in Allah and the Last Day should either speak good or better remain silent.

Luqman 31:18-19

Luqman 31:18-19

Do not treat people with contempt, nor walk insolently on the earth. Allah does not love the arrogant or the self-conceited boaster. Be modest in your bearing and subdue your voice, for the most unpleasant of voices is the braying of the ass.

Luqman 31:18-19

Aamus part 3

After reading the short report to his assembled cabinet The First citizen sat down in his overstuffed green leather chair and called for opinions and questions. The cabinet quickly exploded with questions and opinions.

“Aliens!” stated Sayuka Isoyama the petite Minister of Culture, her entire tiny body shaking with intense anticipation.

“I doubt that it is aliens” replied Josh Brolin the Minister of science and technology, his facial expression relaying to everyone in the room that he thought Sayuka was a few slices short of a whole loaf. “It is far more likely that in the several hundred years that have passed since this colony was founded that earth has made various technological advances which we are not familiar with.” He then sat down taking his glasses off to clean them.

“Invasion Sir, you should call up the military reserves and deploy our star fighters at once” demanded the rather frightened red faced Minister of Agriculture a man used to combating crop pests not the aliens who he was sure would begin landing soon.

“Well there are two problems with that plan, one we do not have any star fighters and two we do not have any star fighters. Now I do realize that it is the same reason but it such a big one that I felt I should mention it twice. Our space command entirely is made up of two asteroid defense ships and three shuttles which we use to put satellites up in orbit and only the Asteroid defense ships are armed.” Stated Gerhard Stoltenberg the bear like minister of defense while looking at the minister of agriculture with contempt. “And military intelligence has determined that the ship is too small to be carrying an invasion force. It has perhaps a crew two hundred.”

“It could be an Alien military reconnaissance vessel” retorted the Agricultural minister trying to regain some of his composure.

“It is not aliens, and why would anyone invade us?” Asked Minister Brolin.

“Earth is overpopulated, it was even so when our ancestors left hundreds of years ago. It has probably only gotten worse and they need to resettle the excess population” blurted out Minister Isoyama whom after the initial shock of the news had passed, had decided it was not aliens.

“It would be easier and cheaper then to just send out thousands of Ark ships” Stated the Defense Minister.

Just as the First citizen was thinking to dismiss the meeting before it turned into a fist fight a well dressed female Aide to the First Minister came in to the conference room and slipped him a hand written note. He read it quickly and after getting everyone’s attention announced that the ship was sending them a text message.

Recon photo taken of Sterns' world's space command center. The center is only accessible by air.

Sub-Commander Amr Diab turned the video monitor to the channel the video stream they had interpreted was on. The officers watched it for a few minutes when Captain Muhammad asked the question that had crossed all of their minds, “what is wrong with the audio?”

“Nothing sir, there is none “replied Sub-Commander Diab with a wily grin he continued, “We have looked at thirty seven video broadcasting streams coming from the planet and none of them have audio. Also we have been unable to detect any audio radio broadcasts coming from the planet.”

“That doesn’t make any sense, one of the first things colonies do is set up a radio station or two. “Said Lt. El-Saher in a confused tone.

“We had the same thought. Me and the boys in communications looked at the programs and while many news, sports and even science programs had text subtitles and narration running under the pictures. Many of the pure entertainment programs did not. Then we looked at everyone was doing with their hands and we realized that they were talking with their hands” said the Sub-commander who was becoming very enthusiastic.

“How did they all become deaf? Was their some sort of virus or chemical accident? I do not see how this could happen on such a large scale.” stated the captain a puzzled look on his face and in his tone.

“We do not know sir, but I am sure that it is not beyond Confederation science to reverse it. Such an offer of help could really help with the diplomatic overtures.” Replied sub-commander El-Saher.

“I am sure that the Confederacy will be happy to send medical teams from New Malaysia or New Kurdistan to help the people of …. What do the people call their world?” asked Captain Khalid Muhammad.

“Sterns’ World, Sir”

“Yes, Sterns’ World. Help the people of Sterns’ World.”

Aamus part 2

First Citizen Kenny Macaskill was feeling annoyed. It was dark outside of his office window and he watched as the rain poured down in sheets, the park across the street being lit up by the occasional flash of lightening. The Rain wasn’t annoying him as it was cleaning up the streets of the capitol city which were sorely in need of it after yesterday’s founders’ day celebration, something which consisted mostly of throwing powder of various bright colors on your friends, foes and people chosen by random in the crowd. As a boy and even when he got older participating with his own children, he had always enjoyed the annual Founders day festival, but now his aides had advised him that as First Citizen it would not be dignified and so he had gone to some official dinner, that had annoyed him. Not that the aides said it, but that he had listened to them. Of course that was not what was really bothering him nor the fact that his secretary had put sugar in his coffee again why the boy kept doing that as he was quite competent at everything else his job required of him.

No what was annoying the First Citizen was that instead of having a year or two of warning about a starship approaching the planet he was told that there was one already in the star system and then they only knew about it because some astronomy grad students studying the huge and violent storms of the gas giant Gallaudet and saw it pass by the gas giant. They had originally thought they had discovered a new comet or asteroid then observed it making a course change. The military trying to keep the news of the star ship hush was currently providing free room and board for all of the astronomy students.

The military had gone on to with, what the First Citizen found to be refreshing, extreme efficiency to commandeer the largest telescopes on Sterns’ world and had confirmed that it was most matter of fact a star ship. They had also managed to determine, according to the classified report on the First Citizen’s large metal and glass desk, that it was not an Ark ship like the one which had brought the original colonist from Earth to Sterns’ world. The report went on to say in clipped military language that the star ship was not only of unknown design but that they were not even sure how its propulsion system worked.

Two Kinds of Silence

Al-Hujwiri , " The Kashf al-Mahjub "

There are two kinds of speeches and two kinds of silences. Speech is either truth or a falsification, and silence is either fruition or heedlessness. If one speaks the truth, his words are better than his silence, but he who invents falsifications, his silence is better than his speech.

Al-Hujwiri , " The Kashf al-Mahjub "

Aamus part 1

Captain Khalid Muhammad sat feeling troubled in his ready room sipping his warm cup of tea and contemplated what his communications officer had told him earlier. He had been having a rather pleasant conversation with his first officer Commander Fadel Shaker whom he had served with for over 10 years now and the Sensors Officer Lt. Kathem El-Saher a young go getter from the planet Khalwat, over a dinner of spicy curried beef, rice and lemon grass soup, about the new star system they had just slid into. The crew was excited as the second planet’s surface was 65 per cent covered in oceans and had an oxygen/nitrogen atmosphere. The sensors had also showed and abundance of plant life and with an average temperature at sea level on the equator of 26c. The sensors had also shown that the planet was teeming with life.

They had been joking about where they were going to build their retirement homes on the planet, which they were currently calling Aamus, with Lt. Kathem El-Saher saying he would want to find where the best ski slopes were on the newly discovered world and build a large home there, when Sub-Commander Amr Diab the communications officer had interrupted saying that he had just picked up some video transmissions coming from the planet.

“Aliens?” asked Lt. El-Saher eagerly his face bright with anticipation.

“No, not Aliens” replied Sub-Commander Amr Diab a no nonsense man in a slightly annoyed tone, looking at Kathem El-Saher he thought if the man had a tale it would be wagging right now. He had then gone on to explain further, it was this further explanation which was bothering the captain.

Blankets

Attar, "Rabi'a"

Rabi'a asked someone to buy a blanket for her, giving the person four coins. The person asked: 'Do you want a black blanket, or a white one?' Rabi'a took back the coins, threw them in the Tigris river, and exclaimed: 'Must we divide even blankets into distinct groups?'

-Attar, "Rabi'a"

Muhammed Ahmed Faris

Muhammed Ahmed Faris was born May 26, 1951 in Aleppo, Syria. He was a pilot in the Syrian Air Force with the rank of a colonel. He specialized in navigation when he was selected to participate in the Intercosmos spaceflight program on September 30, 1985.

He flew as Research Cosmonaut on Soyuz TM-3 to the Mir space station in July 1987, spending 7 days 23 hours and 5 minutes in space. He returned to Earth aboard Soyuz TM-2.

Muhammed Faris was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union on July 30, 1987. He was also awarded the Order of Lenin.[1]

After his spaceflight, he returned to the Syrian Air Force and lives in Aleppo. He is married and has three children.

FLIGHT LOG; Manned three crew. Transported to the Mir orbital space station a Soviet-Syrian crew comprising cosmonauts A S Viktorenko, A P Aleksandrov and M A Faris to conduct joint research and experiments with cosmonauts Y Romanenko and A Laveykin. Maneuvered from initial 231 X 217 km orbit to Mir's 311 X 359 km orbit. Docked with rear Mir port at 3:30 GMT 24 July. Undocked with rear port 30 July and docked to forward port. Undocked 05:55 GMT 29 December. Returned Aleksandrov, Yuri Romanenko (Soyuz TM-2), Anatoly Levchenko (Soyuz TM-4) to Earth. Recovered December 29, 1987 09:16 GMT. Landed near Arkalyk.

NaNoWriMo

http://www.nanowrimo.org/

November is National Novel Writing Month. The goal for aspiring writers is to write a 50,000 word novel (about 175 pages) starting no earlier than November 1 and finishing before November 31.
By signing up at the National Novel Writing Month website (also known as NaNoWriMo), you can create a profile and access the participant forums, where you can finds tips, hints and helpful encouragement. You can post excerpts of your novel for others to read. When you are ready, you can submit your novel for an official word count, which is "read" by a computer. If you succeed, you get a certificate and the satisfaction in having finished a novel.
According to NaNoWriMo, the key to success is to worry less about the quality and more about quantity. The brute force method must work, because every year more and more people finish as "winners".

http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/basics

Hasan Al-Basri in Nurbakhsh

Hasan Al-Basri in Nurbakhsh: Hasan Basri, 174

Good humor and character is manifested in a cheerful face, generous giving, and not imposing one's problems on others.

-Hasan Al-Basri in Nurbakhsh: Hasan Basri, 174

Malaysia's first astronaut

Dr. Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor was born Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Al Masrie bin Sheikh Mustapha on July 27, 1972 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Sheikh Muszaphar attended high school at Maktab Rendah Sains MARA in Muar. He then went on to obtain a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery degree from Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, India.

Sheikh Muszaphar is an orthopedic surgeon, and a university lecturer in medicine at the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. In 1998, Sheikh Muszaphar worked at Hospital Seremban, followed by a move to Kuala Lumpur General Hospital in 1999, and was on staff at Hospital Selayang from 2000 through 2001. Sheikh Muszaphar is also a part-time model.
Dr. Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor is the first Malaysian cosmonaut to go into space. He was launched to the International Space Station aboard Soyuz TMA-11 with the Expedition 16 crew on October 10, 2007.Sheikh Muszaphar was flying under an agreement with Russia through the Angkasawan program.

Space experiments Sheikh Muszaphar will carry out experiments on board the International Space Station relating to the characteristics and growth of liver cancer and leukemia cells, the crystallisation of various proteins and microbes in space.
The experiments relating to liver cancer, leukemia cells and microbes will benefit general science and medical research, while the experiments relating to the crystallisation of proteins, lipases in this case, will directly benefit local industries.

Lipase are a type of protein enzymes used in the manufacturing of diverse range of products from textiles to cosmetics, and the opportunity to grow these in space will mean a possibility for Malaysian scientists to take a crack at an industry worth some USD$2.2bil (RM7.7bil) worldwide by producing these locally.

Spaceflight and religion Since Sheikh Muszaphar is a Muslim, and as his time in space will coincide with the last part of Ramadan, the Islamic National Fatwa Council drew up the first comprehensive guidebook for Muslims in space. The 18-page guidebook is titled "Guidelines for Performing Islamic Rites (Ibadah) at the International Space Station", and details issues such as how to pray in a low-gravity environment, how to locate Mecca from the ISS, how to determine prayer times, and issues surrounding fasting. The orbit of the ISS results in one day/night cycle every 90 minutes,so the issues of fasting during Ramadan are also addressed. The guidebook will be translated into Russian, Arabic, and English.Anan C. Mohd, from Malaysia's Department of Islamic Development said that fasting while traveling is optional, so Sheikh Muszaphar could choose what he would like to do, but if he did decide to fast in space, the times would be centered around local time in Baikonur, where the launch takes place.Sheikh Muszaphar will celebrate Eid ul-Fitr aboard the station, and packed some satay and cookies to hand out to the rest of the crew on Saturday, October 13, to mark the end of Ramadan.

Rumi

Rumi, "Mathnawi"

Every prophet to the world came alone,
within him carrying a hundred unseen worlds.
The cosmos was charmed by his depth
and folded itself into his modest frame.
The foolish thought he was lonely and weak.
With the King as his companion,
how is he weak?

-Rumi, "Mathnawi"

Muslim Astronaut

Sultan Salman Abdulaziz Al-Saud Payload Specialist
Born June 27, 1956, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Completed his elementary and secondary education in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He later went on to study communications and aviation in the United States. In 1982 he was appointed to the position of researcher in the Department of International Communications at the Ministry of Information in Saudi Arabia.In 1984 he served as Deputy Director for the Saudi Arabian Olympic Information Committee at the Olympics in Los Angeles, California. Later that year, when the Department of Advertising was created at the Ministry of Information, he was appointed its Acting Director.In 1985 he flew as a Payload Specialist on STS-51G Discovery (June 17-24, 1985). As one of a seven member international crew, which also included American and French astronauts, he represented the Arab Satellite Communications Organization (ARABSAT) in deploying their satellite, ARABSAT-1B.Upon conclusion of his space flight, he helped in founding the Association of Space Explorers, an international organization comprising all astronauts and cosmonauts who have been in space, and served on its Board of Directors for several years.In 1985 he was commissioned as an officer into the Royal Saudi Air Force. He holds the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, and is qualified in several military and civilian aircraft.For several years he headed the Advisory Committee for the Science Oasis Project to be built in Riyadh.In 1989 and then again in 1992 he was elected to the position of Chairman of the Saudi Benevolent Association for Handicapped Children; where he also served as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Prince Salman Center for Handicapped Research.In 1991 he accepted an invitation from the Board of Directors of the Saudi Computer Society to become Honorary Chairman, and in 1993 due to his special interest in architecture he agreed to serve as Honorary President of the Al-Umran Saudi Association (a society of specialists in the fields of the built environment).

Prince Sultan told a television interviewer that another big moment was when he had first glimpsed Saudi Arabia from space. "Once," he said, "I was woken up by some crew members who said: 'Come and see your country.' I was looking from the upper deck window. The earth was above us, and I saw the Eastern Province with its lights. It was a very moving sight."

At the same interview, Prince Sultan praised the team of Saudi scientists, who had been monitoring his experiments from earth. "We don't lack talent in the Arab world. We have plenty of it," the prince said. "All we need to do is give people the chance to prove themselves." Prince Sultan also displayed the small Koran he had carried into space; inside was a prayer dictated by his mother asking God to take care of travelers - and the prince's Saudi pilot's licence. "I was saying the prayer during take off," said Sultan. "And the pilot's license?" he was asked. "I took that with me in case we had to land somewhere and I needed to hire an areoplane."

Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jillani, "Fayuz E Yazdani

Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jillani, "Fayuz E Yazdani"

Have faith in God the Omnipotent,
the Eternal, the First and the Last,
who grants life and determines death.
He bestows bounty,
and only He can restore crushed hopes.
Have faith, do not lose hope, wait patiently.
He indeed will create a way
to deliver you from your hardships.

-Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jillani, "Fayuz E Yazdani

Tawhid

Junayd, "Tawhid"

Consider the way for ordinary people. They should believe in the unity of God. They should expel from their minds all ideas of other gods, or other beings which are similar to God; they should know that God has no equals. Yet equally they should realize there are spiritual forces which are opposed to God. They should trust God, and fear all that are opposed to him.

Junayd, "Tawhid

A Guideline of Performing Ibadah at the International Space Station

Assalam Alaikum

I found this document and felt i must share it with everyone so i am placing a link to it here. it is so very cool.

A Guideline of Performing Ibadah at International Space Station (ISS) is prepared by Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) as a reference for Muslim astronaut in performing ibadah at the ISS. With this guideline, Muslim astronaut is aspired to be focusing on their research at space and at the same time performing their obligations as a Muslim. Other than that, it also guide on how to fulfill the ‘al-maqasid al-syariah’ in any situation.


2. INTRODUCTION

2.1 Issues on ‘Performing Ibadah in Space’ were being arisen in conjunction with the announcement from the government on Jun 2003, to send the first Malaysia’s astronaut to the ISS.

2.2 Since the possibility of sending a Muslim astronaut to the ISS was apparent, lots of opinions and suggestions have been proposed by academicians and others regarding the issue of performing ibadah in space (at the ISS).

2.3 Issues on how to do istinja’ (washing-up), determining prayer time and the direction of Qibla, performing solat (prayer), defining time of fasting, caring for the deceased, and others, have brought concern within the Muslim community.

2.4 In conjunction with that, ‘Seminar on Islam and Living in Space’ had been organized by the National Space Agency (ANGKASA) in collaboration with the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) on 25- 26 April 2006 for the purpose of identifying related issues in performing ibadah in space (in particular at ISS) based on Islamic perspective, and more importantly proposing solution on them.

for more go to

http://blog.wired.com/wiredscience/files/a_guideline_ibadah_at_iss.doc

Islamic scholars produce guide to praying at 17,000mph

Islamic scholars produce guide to praying at 17,000mph
Ian MacKinnon, south-east Asia correspondent
Wednesday October 10, 2007
The average astronaut has plenty to keep him busy. But when the first Malaysian man in space blasts off today from Kazakhstan, the Muslim doctor will have whole new layer of concerns dictated by the Koran.
For instance, how will Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, 35, pray towards Mecca when orbiting the earth at 17,000mph? In the closing days of the Muslim month of Ramadan, how will he observe the fast between sunrise and sunset?
Luckily, Malaysia's Islamic scholars spent a whole year finding solutions to these and other ticklish problems as Mr Muszaphar prepared for his nine-day trip to the International Space Station aboard a Russian Soyuz rocket.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/space/article/0,,2188006,00.html

EID MUBARAK

EID MUBARAK

RAMADAN MUBARAK

RAMADAN MUBARAK

Everyone

Hope that everyone is having a blessed Ramadan

Call of Love

Call of Love
At every instant and from every side, resounds the call of Love:
We are going to the sky, who wants to come with us?
We have gone to heaven, we have been the friends of the angels,
And now we will go back there, for there is our country.

We are higher than heaven, more noble than the angels:
Why not go beyond them? Our goal is the Supreme Majesty.
What has the fine pearl to do with the world of dust?
Why have you come down here? Take your baggage back.
What is this place? Luck is with us, to us is the sacrifice!...

Like the birds of the sea, men come from the ocean--the ocean of the soul.
Like the birds of the sea, men come from the ocean--the ocean of the soul.
How could this bird, born from that sea, make his dwelling here?

No, we are the pearls from the bosom of the sea, it is there that we dwell:
Otherwise how could the wave succeed to the wave that comes from the soul?
The wave named 'Am I not your Lord' has come, it has broken the vessel of the body;

And when the vessel is broken, the vision comes back, and the union with Him.

Eva de Vitray-Meyerovitch, 'Rumi and Sufism' trans. Simone Fattal Sausalito, CA: Post-Apollo Press, 1977, 1987.

Hadith

Narrated Aisha:
I said, "O Allah's Apostle! I have two neighbors; which of them should I give a gift to?" The Prophet said, "(Give) to the one whose door is nearer to you."

Narrated Ibn 'Abbas: The Prophet said, "One who takes back his gift (which he has already given) is like a dog that swallows its vomit."

Hadith

A companion of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "(The Prophet) took hold of my shoulder and said, 'Be in this world as if you were a stranger or a traveler.'"

Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 8, Hadith 425

Jamila Smiles

Poem on exhibit at the grand war Museum on New Malaysia. The poem was found on the body of Sgt. Kazem Al Saher after the siege of the capitol of New Gaul during the great war. The Franks in a desperate attempt to dislodge the confederate troops used Nuclear weapons on their own planet. The desperate bid failed and the capitol was captured.

I am down in the muck
Waist deep in blood and mud
And then Jamila smiles
And I don’t care anymore.

The sky lights up
A Sun has been created at midnight
A thunderous wave of wind
Beats me down

And then Jamila smiles
And I don’t care

The pain fades away
I feel myself becoming lighter
And the darkness
Begins to close in
And then Jamila smiles
And I don’t care


It is believed from where Sgt Kazem Al Saher body was found that he survived the injuries and radiation poisoning from the nuclear blast for several days.

HADITH

The Prophet Muhammad (SAW), as reported by Anas bin Malik
A true believer loves for his brother what he loves for himself.
-The Prophet Muhammad (SAW), as reported by Anas bin Malik

Hadith

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "On the Day of Judgment, the dearest and closest to me. . .will be those persons who will bear the best moral character."
Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 218

The Prophet also said: "Among the Muslims the most perfect, in regard to his faith, is the one whose character is excellent. And the best among you are those who treat their wives well."Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 217

where does the wind go

“Where does the wind goes when it Stops?” Question put to the court of Jagi on Khalwat by Sultan Mohammed Abdel Wahab, when he ascended to the throne at age six after his parents deaths in a shuttle accident.

Sana’i: "Hadiqat al-haqiqa"

Sana’i: "Hadiqat al-haqiqa"

Both infidelity and faith
upon his path run apace,
united in their praise confess
that "He is One without likeness."

-Sana’i: "Hadiqat al-haqiqa"

Independent worlds

A picture of Thaiworld from high orbit

Not all star systems, after the invention of the Wormhole drive, decided to join into or create alliances with other star system many prized their long held independence and did not want to give it up. Some planets are able to maintain their independence by having large militaries such as, New Prussia and Thor. Others are able to do so as the environmental conditions are so harsh as to make them not worth the effort, an example of this is Kalistan Prime. Of course the primary reason these worlds are unable to maintain their Independence is with such a vast universe to explore and colonize there is little need to conquer another star system.

This is a list of known independent worlds. This is by no means all of them, as most scholars agree there are many more to be discovered. It is known that during man’s first expansion into interstellar space that the Koreans sent out 7 giant colony arks over a four year period and none of the colonies have yet to be discovered.

New Tibet
Freya
Finnworld
Slavia
Thaiworld
Orange World
New Rome
Ottland
Seaworld
Winter
Tamil
New Kerala
New Ceylon
Zion
New Brazil
Thor
New Prussia
Kalistan
Singh’s World
New Canada
New Judea
Ahaggar
Tamanrasset
Draa

Celestial Empire

New China

The Celestial Empire is ruled by the Chang Dynasty. The Government is a constitutional monarchy. The Royal family holds most of the power through their control of the civil service. The Celestial Empire has flourished mostly because of the extremely efficient civil service. The Empire’s civil service is the very model of a meritocracy at its best.
The empire has managed to avoid entangling alliances and with a sizable Space navy has made the other powers in the galaxy show them respect.

Dawn on New China. Chan Birds flying at dawn. The Chan birds hunt for prey at dawn and dusk every day.

Worlds of the Celestial Empire
New Manchuria
New China
New Guangxi
High Jiangxi
High Qinghai
Heilongjiang
Xiang gang
Guxiang
Qian
Hao
Shashi
Bing Tian Xue DI
Sen
An Quan

Saying of the Prophet Muhammad in Khanaqahi:

Your worst enemy lies between your two ribs.

-Saying of the Prophet Muhammad in Khanaqahi

Sa’di: “Kulliyyat-I Sa’di”

Sa’di: "Kulliyyat-I Sa’di"

Unless a benefit exists for someone else within,
buried in such a heart,
rough-hewn granite
and precious stones are one.

-Sa’di: "Kulliyyat-I Sa’di"

Wormhole

Shia Systems Alliance

New Qom From Orbit

The Shia Systems Alliance is a highly centralized socialist state; all major industries are controlled by the state. The capitol is on New Qom where the Supreme Council of Ayatollahs meets. It is also from here that they dispatch Judges to oversee the local governments, who are typically democratically elected. The Shia Systems Alliance has a large active military, with all males 18-40, who are not in the active military, in the reserves. This allows them to draw up a huge reserve force when they need. They also have many females in the reserve planetary defense forces.

A Picture taken in the Southern Continent of Hazarastan which is volcanically very active

The Shia Systems Alliance is known to be made up of seven worlds but it is suspected that they have several hidden colony worlds.
The seven known worlds are;
Ali’s World
New Iraq
Hazarastan
New Qom
New Markazi
Nabatiye
New Saida



A Picture taken in the Southern Continent of Hazarastan which is volcanically very active

Nizam al-Din, "Fawa'id al-Fu'ad

Nizam al-Din, "Fawa'id al-Fu'ad"

The master continued, "If you put oil, pepper, garlic and onion in a cauldron, and merely add water, you have not made a stew. The basis for a stew is meat; the other ingredients are optional. Similarly, spiritual progress depends on detaching yourself from material posessions; other virtuous practices are optional."

-Nizam al-Din, "Fawa'id al-Fu'ad"

Al-Ghazzali, "Ihya Ulum Id-Din"

Al-Ghazzali, "Ihya Ulum Id-Din"

Even before accomplishing enlightenment a person knows that everything attests to the existence of God. But these virtuous feelings of innocence disappear as he begins to mingle with corrupt society, because worldly affairs hinder him from swimming in the vast ocean of insight.

Al-Ghazzali, "Ihya Ulum Id-Din"

Junayd: Tawhid

Junayd: Tawhid

Most people act on their own account; they pursue personal ambitions without seeking God’s guidance and grace. By asserting the self they will achieve nothing.

-Junayd: Tawhid

Alliance of Free worlds

High California

The Alliance of Free Worlds is headquartered on the planet New Texas and is a loose confederation of worlds settled primarily by colonist from North America on Earth. All but Amazonia and Azaltalan are predominantly English speaking worlds. The Alliance has a small standing navy. In Times of crisis individual members are to place their systems military starships under the control of the Alliance’s naval command.

The Alliance of Free Worlds is made up of the following star systems
New Texas; New America; High California; Amazonia; Azaltalan
New Saxony; World of 3 nations; New Terra; Camelot; Reagan; Elohi
Echota; New Virgina; New Nauvoo; New Colorado; Washington
Narnia; Valhalla; Lafayette; Nuevo Amazonas; Roosevelt; Lincoln

Galveston, the Equatorial continent of New Texas, has a large preserve for the large native Saurian fauna.

Hadith

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) would pray, saying: "O God! I ask You for the means to do good, to avoid evil and to love the poor.”Fiqh-us-Sunnah, Volume 4, Number 13A

The Prophet also told his wife: “If you love the poor and bring them near you. . .God will bring you near Him on the Day of Resurrection."Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 1376

Confederation of Islamic Worlds

The Confederation of Islamic Worlds

The confederation is the oldest known human interstellar government, born from the first use of the worm drive. The Confederate capitol is on New Malaysia. There the grand Parliament meets. The grand parliament is made up of two houses the upper and lower, quite literally as the both meet in the same building one on the 2nd floor the other on the seventh, each world gets 2 senators in the upper house and one spokesman for every 25 million inhabitants of its star system.

Individual star systems have a great deal of freedom on how they govern themselves.

The Confederates maintain a large space navy for both military purposes and exploration. Colony arks, now outfitted with worm drives, are still used to colonize new worlds. Most colonization efforts are still done by one ethic group, but any Confederate citizen may settle on any Confederation world. The largest change in Confederate Colonization policies is there are now two private companies operating from Confederate space, which seek out star systems to colonize.

The Confederation of Islamic Worlds is made up of the following planets.

New Arabia, Pulau, New Tajikistan, Tamazight
New Malaysia, Hausa World, New Khashmir, Mars
High Palestine, Turkmen Prime, New Kurdistan, New Bengal
New Kalimantan, New Daura, New Palestine, New Siraf
Himyarite, Orman, Okyanus, Berlindung
Kebaruan, Khalwat, New Sulawesi, New Kelantan
Cantik, Laut, New Durnia, High Malaysia
New Pahang, Tawanna, Nur

Frankish Empire

The planets of the Frankish Empire
New France
Franks World
New Gaul
New Brittney
New Quebec
Damona
Epona
Toutatis
Lugus
Foret
Sanctuaire
Asile
Abritez
Vert
Sable
Jardin
Mer
La Nouvelle Terra
Walloon

The French were one of the most enthusiastic ethnic groups when it came to sending out colony arks during the mankind’s first expansion into interstellar space. After the discovery of the worm hole drive most of the French colonies were united under the king of the Vert star system. The Frankish empire is ruled by a noble/military elite which maintains the empires large space fleet. They also own large estates all over the empire. Most of the local governments within the empire are democratic; typically city and provincial leaders being elected. The grand star palace is on Vert but the king maintains a residence in every star system of the empire.

Unity of Saints

The Unity of Saints was formed by planets whose colonists were originally from North America on Earth and members of the LDS church. The Unity is considered a break away sect of the LDS church headquartered on Earth. The Unity maintains that they are the rightful church. The Unity is a theocracy with democratic trappings. They are extremely centralized with all important decisions coming from the capitol. The economy is socialistic and many of the smaller communities have communal living arrangements. Since their defeat in the grand war the size of their space fleet has been very limited.
They have a large exploration fleet for a population of their size.

The Unity of Saints is made up of the following planets.

New Zarahemla
New Utah
Deseret
High Nephi
New Lemuel

Rumi, "Mathnawi"

Rumi, "Mathnawi"

Give your life for that cup of divine wisdom. How can you succeed without endurance and patience? To wait for the sake of that cup is no hardship. Show patience, for patience is the key to joy.

-Rumi, "Mathnawi"