transfixed by screens glowing white flashing text immediate gratification, see who’s next beep ping sounds of bells check the vacant dream don’t look around at real sounds, be who’s next ringing, singing, zinging like pin ball. real fixation, woops almost tripped, he’s who’s next isolated heads in virtual clouds look around…

I was suddenly captivated this morning by an ayat in the Surah Ihsan that refers to the mystical drink of Kafur; a drink from the purest of springs infused with a sweet fragrant herb such that the subtle smell wafts beautiful even before the water is sipped. “…the righteous will…

An Allegory… “O [humankind], indeed we have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is knowing and acquainted.” Qur’an 49:13 …

For Palestine… Dark gray metal and bullet holes and you can’t walk on the streets, the wailing and moaning and the mothers cries, the soldiers laughter as they smoke another cigarette. And the rape and the slaughter just another day in a genocide. And why does the mournful mother cry? Her young son has too much bravado, and it…

Dedicated to Omid Safi for his beautiful teaching on Ibrahim in the fire “Every prophet was hard-faced in this world, and bent single-handed against the army of kings. And did not avert his face from any fear or pain, (but) single and alone dashed against a (whole) world.” Rumi (Mathnawi…

For Social Justice and Action — MLK if you don’t hold on you is going to unravel FAMILY hold on! Sunday come round religion lettin ya down? CHURCH hold on! young black man down in da street? CITY hold on! social injustice finger on the trigga LAW hold on! …

When color doesn’t blind, but only binds.

Civilization purposed to be the epitome of civility fragile like a capitalistic spider web formed by gluttony ravenous and never satiated. Civilization buttressed by religions morality bittersweet hypocrisy when the believer enters the spider’s web caught by its caustic illusion. Civilization what are you when no one is civilized? Sodom…

On Muhammad Iqbal’s poem, A Dialogue Between God and Man Iqbal’s poem: GOD I made the whole world with the same water and clay, But You created Iran, Tartary, and Ethiopia. From the earth I brought forth pure iron, But you made from that iron sword, arrow, and gun. You made an axe for…