Allah Says: Come to Common Terms

I'm not sure if you heard about the conflict of Muslims and Christians in Malaysia. In short, a government band on Christians using the word Allah was lifted, allowing them to do so. For specifics, click here. Some Muslims (if we can even call them that) didn't take it lightly at all. Consequently, three Christian Churches were firebombed.

Now, if one were to search the Quran, and let the holy words within judge the aforesaid circumstance, they would clearly come across this:
Qur'an 3:64-71 Surah Ale-'Imran (The Family of 'Imran)
Say: "O people of the Book (a reference to Christians-my emphasis)! come to common terms as between us and you: that we worship none but Allah; that we associate no partners with Him; that we erect not from among ourselves Lords and patrons other than Allah."

Perhaps the people that bombed the churches aren't Muslims at all, similar to the K.K.K. who claims to be Christians (but are far from it). The fact is, it's a step in unity and Islam is a religion that unites Divine light to the utmost. I bear witness to that. Lastly, check out Harun Yahya, a renown Islamic scholar. I myself harbored mixed emotions about the matter until I stumbled across his sight. It was an opportunity for me to be educated and I didn't pass it up. Salaam to all.

Samsara: Steps in the Liberation of Your Soul

I didn't have enough courage this year to set a New Year's resolution. But one thing is for sure, I'm definitely tired of spinning my wheels. Isn't that why we make resolutions anyway? Indeed, resolutions are usually created due to some level of suffering we have produced via the vessel of bad habits. Maybe it's smoking or drinking for you. Some could be bad spending habits, or the usage of profanity. Either way, whatever habit it might be, you want to be "released" from it because it does not pack the punch you thought it had. Better put, maybe it does but you know that it has disadvantages that leads to your own insecurities and sufferings.

Why does your inner being have urges to shed these mishaps? Perhaps it is because the soul is inherently perfect. It is indeed a reflection of the eternal. And with that comes complete perfection and a direct connection to your creator, no matter what you choose to call Him. However, in your worldly existence, you see not the soul. Moreover, you see everything that is temporary. The day comes and then it departs by nightfall. The mother who birthed you will one day be gone. The money in your pocket is burning so hot that it is sure to leave you soon. Today you will experience one day and when you wake up, that day will be gone (for no day is exactly the same).

And thus we are caught in what Buddha would call-samsara. Whether you believe in reincarnation or not is insignificant for the purpose of this blog...but indeed people often relate to the inherent notion of this buddhist term.

Quoted by Thanissaro Bikku, Samsara is:

Samsara literally means "wandering-on." Many people think of it as the Buddhist name for the place where we currently live — the place we leave when we go to nibbana. But in the early Buddhist texts, it's the answer, not to the question, "Where are we?" but to the question, "What are we doing?" Instead of a place, it's a process: the tendency to keep creating worlds and then moving into them. As one world falls apart, you create another one and go there. At the same time, you bump into other people who are creating their own worlds, too.

According to the ancient sages, this process continues until we are released or liberated from all of our iniquities. Does that mean we must reach perfection? The answer is yes...Even Jesus said:

You must, therefore, be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect." --Matt. 5:48

And if you subscribe to God making us in the image of Himself...then perfection is the final frontier.

Indeed, it is intimidating to consider the notion of being perfect when one looks at the condition of the human race. After all, pitfalls come more often than opportunities for enlightenment, and by in large, the ways of this world do not match the perfect vibration of the divine primordial spirit. Our only option is to dive in ourselves and listen to the soul within us. Does it not guide us? But then, how often do we ignore it's voice?

Use every moment this year to shape, build and add on to your perfect foundation. The more you chisel away at the useless thoughts and actions of your being...you will find that you will get closer and closer to who you really are.

If you're like me...you're fed up and only radical changes can sway the momentum of actuating the brilliance in you.