A little Poetry

You think you know me
 because you see
the reflection of a stereotype in your mind
You think you are clever
because you never
make a mistake summing up mankind
You fool only yourself in your contrived fantasy
Needing to label and caste people is ecstasy
But your fate is also with theirs intertwined

Look carefully your misplaced pity may a mirror of your life.

So Today is September 11, 2011

Bismillahi Rahimnir Raheem (In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful)

So today is the tenth anniversary of an abominable act allegedly committed by some who called themselves Muslim. I for one do not believe that it was an attack done by the accused but rather a plan to enslave Americans, mostly and the world, in general by fear to take something greater away from each individual. Each person was supposed to lose the ability to think for himself and be "with us"...us= United States...us= "not Muslims"..us=those who think and act as sheeple. But despite the best efforts, I see that the opposite is happening. Over the years people have learned more about each other, Islam, Buddhism, Judaism and their own individual faiths. People have worked harder to be a neighbor to their neighbors. Interfaith connections and alliances are growing stronger daily. And people have converted to Islam in much larger numbers.

So today is the tenth anniversary of a world made smaller, wars in every home in every country and heart. The United States set out to get "them" but in turn caused much suffering for the families of dedicated men and women in the armed forces in America and the nations of its allies. It is not just "over there", it is everywhere. There is even unrest in our hearts and majority Muslim nations by extension responded to this unrest. People will not tolerate tyrants, also known as puppets of greater nations. People have a right to live in a just society.

So today is the tenth anniversary of redefining what we believe, how we interact with each individual and each nation. We are learning new languages and words...frightening words like...Shariah! Shariah the sacred law in the Quran not a stone's throw from the Ten Commandments has been banned in 18 states in the US and counting. This is akin to rejection of belief in God. But just like the recent earthquakes and tremors and hurricanes and monsoons in the East Coast of the United States a huge wave of overriding the hearts of men is in the works. We can not live in fear forever. Human beings need one another to survive so like it or not we must swallow and GET ALONG!

So today is the tenth anniversary to reflect and change our hearts and minds about one another. We are all brothers and sisters in the eyes of Allah, God or whatever you call our Creator. Make today the beginning of a new way of seeing humanity. Smile when you see angry eyes and say hello to that woman in a head scarf (hijab) or that face with so much distrust. A smile CAN change the world.

Reshaping My Argument Against Public School

We have just have a beautiful month of fasting and remembrance of Allah and how we should be with others. Compassion, putting others needs first especially neighbors, relatives, siblings, children and our spouses should be considered first as an extension of our relationship with our Creator. Our relationship with these people reflects our relationship with Him. This is the real meaning of socialization. Knowing how to live in a society with others, regardless of their religion, political views, ethnicity, etc.,  in an appropriate manner is the epitome of proper socialization. As Muslims we are bonded to do this for the sake of our relationship with Allah, the Creator of All Mankind.

For many years now, I have been home schooling my children. I believed this the best way to "socialize" my children. My argument against public school was that "socialization" is not taught or inculcated in children. Rather they were encouraged to forget their self-identity and trade it for similitude. Therefore in this mass brainwashing children were taught that homogenity was best and family values and traditions be tossed. My argument was that children are supposed to only be and accept one way of being. What if you could have the best of both worlds?

What if children were "socialized" at home according to my aforementioned definition and simply learned how to apply that in a setting that discouraged it? What if you could strengthen your child's character with this strong belief and then allow them to inculcate it within themselves everyday? By extension, when they spent time with others, they would reflect and infect others with it. Is that so hard to believe? Muslims also believe that the first 7 or 8 years are most important for enjoining this deep belief system. Therefore, by the time your child reaches this age their judgement should be sound, depending on the child. For some it may take longer or a shorter amount of time. Our job as parents is simply to SEE our children for WHO they are and educate each accordingly. We can not give them perspective no matter how we try. At some point it is their own creation. However, we can help them shape it over time once they are secure in who and how they are.

So this year after much reflection, I am allowing my children to create their own perspective. Leaving my home and going into a public school under the complete protection of Allah to guide them throughout their day, I remain in dua and await the moment they return so that I may help them shape it. I am no longer arguing against public school just reshaping my perspective. May Allah protect our children and our selves from the evil of His creation, allow us to evolve as guides for our children and grant from the good things of His creation. Ameen.

Breastfeeding: more than bonding

Ma shaAllah a have a child who I remember nursing until I almost shrank back down to my pre-martial size. At the time, I thought that it would never end but was pleased with the temperment it resulted. For the first time I had a calmer, more confident and happier toddler. Even today, I can calm them down with a smile or forehead to forehead nuzzle. These days I am noticing something more. In every successive stage, this child is welcoming me into their play and aha moments. How strange it is to me that breastfeeding is simply viewed as 'good food' when it is so much more. It is a vehicle of interpersonal communication that transcends human comprehension. We have words...we have skin... we have breath. All are means of transmitting parts of who we are and validating who our children are.

As muslims we are limited to two years of breastfeeding. Although I think thirty months is the absolute limit if it is difficult for the child. In my experience, the longer you nurse/ (nurture their emotional state in infancy) the more confident and courageous they become when they are older. But even if you stop breastfeeding at thirty months, continue the communication with eyes, skin and breath. Words are sometimes bereft of softening a heart or changing it. But a motherly nuzzle and remembrance of your special time past is very effective at heart changing even in the most obstinate preteen.


In these last ten days, now seven, of Ramadan re-establish that bond with your child. Forgive, forget move on and rekindle the attachment. Share something of yourself and something of your bond with your Lord with your child. In sha Allah you can build a bond for them with Him.

EC Revisited: The bond established

These past months have been filled with bonding, evolution and resolve. Instead of missing every new nuance of her (the baby) movements and discovery, I have resolved to be mesmerized by it. In this resolve I have evolved in my mothering (to all of them) to truly live in each moment and stop planning and charting their futures. The result is true and nearer bonding...contentment with who and how they are.

She has surpassed all previous milestones in our family and has rapidly at nine months graduated to not only walking, talking but almost regular meals. With regular food comes a different consistency of BM :) So now when I see that she needs to go, I confirm by looking her in the eye. She stops trying and we are off to the bathroom to complete the elimination. Sometimes when she wakes up from naps or in the mornings, we greet and meet and then she babbles the EC for urination. I believe her sensitivity is increased simply by using the cloth diapers and our ability to communicate. Who knew you could accomplish EC with a house full of children?

Now I have learned no matter the amount of children you have, the inidividual relationship that you build with each allows trust and the bond. Slow down and SEE them. Know them...enjoy them!

Making better food selections

I believe that we should weigh our purchasing options and in turn our purchasing power. There is so much information today about what is ‘good’ for us. But to really understand what our bodies need we must start from our humble beginnings. I recommend that we begin with obtaining and reading Healing with the Medicine of the Prophet (SWS). Read it for scientific and factual content. Then adjust your food selection, eating and cooking practices accordingly. You will notice that using simple whole food selections will bring you more energy, health and mental clarity. Notice the recommended state of food. You should be inclined to go against genetically modified foods and against poisoning our children with deadly toxins. The ancient art of eating foods in season and eating for health was gradually stolen from humanity with the dawn of industrialization which spawned greed. If we grow what we need and eat what is in season, instead of growing more than we need, we could solve almost 60% of common health issues. We can do this by following the knowledge of our scholars from the 12th century and the guidelines of our Prophet from the 7th century. How? Allah has provided everything we need most of it literally in our own backyards. For example, dandelion leaves are a great source of calcium, iron, and vitamins A-K. The flowers and roots can be made into syrup, coffee and detoxifying tonics. But we just kill them so that we can have a beautiful lawn and poison the other nutrient rich ‘weeds’ in the yard (chickweed, which can empower the body against allergies; plantain weed, commonly used for diaper rashes or skin irritants; and red clover, a lymphatic system cleanser). Chickweed and plantain weed can also be sprinkled in omelets, salads or just as a tea. Dandelion leaves can be eaten also raw or cooked. Another naturally occurring beneficial weed is nettle. Dandelion and nettle are off the chart with iron and potassium contain and very cooling or alkaline for the body. Simply they help digestion, stimulate circulation, balance the endocrine system and promote liver function. Eating these “super food” bitters can turn your health around. The sugar we inundate our bodies with these days are opposite to its need for bitters in the form of herbs, greens and roots. The further we are from this basic need the more acidic we make our bodies. Consequently we develop diabetes, PMS, cancer, high blood pressure and variety of now common medical conditions. Recent studies have been published stating that changing your diet can stop the development of cancer. There are several resources that provide a template diet to begin on the anti-cancer path. In addition to bitters, we need colorful foods. These foods with natural occurring astaxanthin and other carotenoids give the body stamina, resistance in heat and build the immune system better than Vitamins C and E. Astaxanthin is most readily available in salmon which are known for their upstream struggle during spawning season. It is the Astaxanthin that gives them the stamina. This is the perfect example of you are what you eat. Also we have always been told that carrots are good for our eyes. But more than just your eyes, other foods in this family like sweet potatoes and kale, can help your reproductive system function properly. I have mentioned several recommendations here for small diet changes but to better understand how and why these changes can benefit you read more.

On Freedom of Thought

Free thinking is freedom of thought from the insidious babble of the “spin doctors”. Spin doctors is a term that has its origins in the nineteenth century but did not develop into an actual career for another century around the 1980’s. Spin means to tell a tale to sway the stories printed and broadcast by mass media. The original spin doctor also known as the father of PR was Edward Bernays who worked during the WWI in the Wilson administration to promote the idea that America's war efforts were primarily aimed at “bringing democracy to all of Europe". Once the war was over he decided to find ways to use it during peace times. His efforts were called public relations. Now every politician in the “free” world has a spin doctor, forgive me, a Press Secretary on staff. But this nephew of none other than Sigmund Freud was able to “spin” any governmental idea into believable shall we call it propaganda? These were the humble beginnings to the end of free thought. Plant an idea for the sheeple to grasp and believe. But as Muslims we are reminded constantly to “reflect”. We are encouraged to verify information that we are told. If we fail to do that we are also contributing to spreading lies. We are not supposed to be sheeple but pensive reflectors of light. In reflecting, we will think deeply, freely, as prescribed by our Creator to follow the just path. So being free thinking is to be Muslim.