The Story of a Larva

"That night, I directed my light towards the flowers and the blades of grass, in a location far from the highway, " said the Moon when she arrived, after saying Basmalah and Salaam. "Then I saw a group of larvae, circling a larva. Wondering what the larva was doing, so I focused my attention on him. Oh, it turned out, he was telling a bit story about the adventures of 'Alice in Wonderland.

'The great question certainly was, what?' said the Larva, went on. 'Alice looked all round her, but she could not see anything that looked like the right thing to eat or drink under the circumstances. There was a large mushroom growing near her, about the same height as herself ; and when she had looked under it, and on both sides of it, and behind it, it occurred to her that she might as well look and see what was on the top of it.

She stretched herself up on tiptoe, and peeped over the edge of the mushroom, and her eyes immediately met those of a large blue caterpillar—the larval stage of members of the insect order comprising butterflies and moths, that eat plant material, often leave, but not all; some eat insects, and some are even cannibalistic. Some feed on other animal products—was sitting on the top with its arms folded, quietly smoking a long hookah—water pipes that are used to smoke specially made tobacco that comes in different flavors, such as apple, mint, cherry, chocolate, coconut, licorice, cappuccino, and watermelon—and taking not the smallest notice of her or of anything else. The Caterpillar and Alice looked at each other for some time in silence : at last, the Caterpillar took the hookah out of its mouth, and addressed her in a languid, sleepy voice.

'Who are you?' said the Caterpillar. This was not an encouraging opening for a conversation. Alice replied, rather shyly, 'I—I hardly know, sir, just at present—at least I know who I was when I got up this morning, but I think, I must have been changed several times since then.'

'What do you mean by that?' said the Caterpillar sternly. 'Explain yourself !'

'I can't explain myself, I'm afraid, sir,' said Alice, 'because I'm not myself, you see.'

'I don't see,' said the Caterpillar. 'I'm afraid, I can't put it more clearly,' Alice replied very politely, 'for I can't understand it myself to begin with; and being so many different sizes in a day is very confusing.'

'It isn't,' said the Caterpillar. 'Well, perhaps you haven't found it so yet,' said Alice; 'but when you have to turn into a chrysalis—you will some day, you know—and then after that into a butterfly, I should think you'll feel it a little queer, won't you?'

'Not a bit,' said the Caterpillar. 'Well, perhaps your feelings, may be different,' said Alice; 'all I know is, it would feel very queer to me.'

'You!' said the Caterpillar contemptuously. 'Who are you?' Which brought them back again to the begining of the conversation. Alice felt a little irritated at the Caterpillar's making such very short remarks, and she drew herself up and said, very gravely, 'I think you ought to tell me who you are, first.'

'Why?' said the Caterpillar. Here was another puzzling question; and, as Alice could not think of any good reason, and as the Caterpillar seemed to be in a very unpleasant state of mind, she turned away.

'Come back!' the Caterpillar called after her. 'I've something important to say!' This sounded promising, certainly : Alice turned and came back again. 'Keep your temper,' said the Caterpillar.

'Is that all?' said Alice, swallowing down her anger as well as she could. 'No,' said the Caterpillar. Alice thought, she might as well wait, as she had nothing else to do, and perhaps, after all, it might tell her something; worth hearing.

For some minutes, it puffed away without speaking, but at last, it unfolded its arms, took the hookah out of its mouth again, and said, ''So, you think you're changed, do you ?'

'I'm afraid I am, sir,' said Alice; 'I can't remember things as I used—and I don't keep the same size for ten minutes together !'

'Can't remember what things?' said the Caterpillar.

'Well, I've tried to say 'How doth the little busy bee,' but it all came different !' Alice replied in a very melancholy voice. 

'Repeat ' You are old, Father William,' said the Caterpillar. Alice folded her hands, and began,

'You are old, Father William,'' the young man said, 'And your hair has hecome very white. And yet you. incessantly stand on your head—do you think, at your age, it is right ?'

'In my youth,' Father William replied to his son, 'I feared it might injure the brain; but now, that I'm perfectly sure I have none. Why, I do it again and again.'

'You are old,' said the youth, 'as I mentioned hefore. And have grown most uncommontly fat; Yet, you turned a back-somersault in at the door—pray, what is the reason of that?'

'In my youth,' said the sage, as he shook his grey locks, 'I kept all my limbs very supple, by the use of this ointment—one shilling the box—allow me to sell you a couple?'

'You are old,'' said the youth, and your jaws are too weak, for anything tougher than suet; yet, you finished the goose, with the bones and the beak. Pray, how did you manage to do it?'

'In my youth'!'' said his father, 'I took to the law. And argued each case with my wife; And the muscular strength, 'which it gave to my jaw, has lasted the rest of my life.'

'You are old,' said the youth, 'one would hardly suppose that your eye was as steady as ever; yet, you balanced an eel on the end of your nose—What wade you so awfully clever?'

'I have answered three questions, and that is enough,' said his father; 'dont give yourself airs! Do you think, I can listen all day to such stuff? Be of, or I'll kick you down stairs!'

'That is not said right,' said the Caterpillar. 'Not quite right, I'm afraid,' said Alice, timidly; 'some of the words have got altered.'

'It is wrong from beginning to end,' said the Caterpillar decidedly, and there was silence for some minutes.

The Caterpillar was the first to speak. 'What size do you want to be ?' it asked. 'Oh, I'm not particular as to size,' Alice hastily replied, 'only one doesn't like changing so often, you know.'

'I dont know,' said the Caterpillar. Alice said nothing : she had never been so much contradicted in all her life before, and she felt that she was losing her temper.

'Are you content now ?' said the Caterpillar.

'Well, I should like to be a little larger, sir, if you wouldn't mind,' said Alice, 'three inches is such a wretched height to be.'

'It is a very good height indeed!' said the Caterpillar angrily, rearing itself upright as it spoke—it was exactly three inches high.

'But I 'm not used to it!' pleaded poor Alice in a piteous tone. And she thought to herself, 'I wish the creatures wouldn't be so easily offended.'

'You'll get used to it in time,' said the Caterpillar; and it put the hookah into its mouth and began smoking again.

This time, Alice waited patiently until it chose to speak again. In a minute or two, the Caterpillar took the hookah out of its mouth and yawned once or twice, and shook itself. Then it got down off the mushroom, and crawled away into the grass, merely remarking as it went, 'One side will make you grow taller, and the other side will make you grow shorter.'

'One side of what ? The other side of what?' thought Alice to herself.'

Not continuing the last sentences of the story, the Larva ended it by singing,

There's a lady that's sure, all that glitters is gold

And she's buying a stairway to heaven

When she gets there she knows, if the stores are all closed

With a word, she can get what she came for

And she's buying a stairway to heaven

There's a sign on the wall, but she wants to be sure

'Cause you know, sometimes words have two meanings

In a tree by the brook, there's a songbird who sings

Sometimes all of our thoughts, are misgiven *)

It's time to go, and before she left, the Moon made a closing statement, "Over time, the Larvae will metamorphose. The interesting thing is, what the larvae will become: a beautiful butterfly, flying among the pretty flowers, or, simply as a moth, who will die in a bonfire? And Allah knows best."

Citations & References:
- Lewis Carroll, Alice's Adventures in the Wonderland, MacMillan & Co
*) "Stairway To Heaven" written by Robert Plant & James Patrick Page

Bahasa

Canary in a Coal Mine

"'Natural inclinations may be moulded and wrought upon by good councell and discipline; but there are certain specific properties and impressions, that are never to be altered or decaf’d,' said a Canary in a cage after a coal miner put her in a tunnel coal mine in a land called Boorni," the Moon told a story after saying Basmalah and Salaam. 'The Canary, with her beatiful voice, sang,

First to fall over when the atmosphere is less than perfect

Your sensibilities are shaken by the slightest defect

You live your life like a canary in a coal mine

You get so dizzy even walking in a straight line

You say you want to spend the winter in Firenza

You're so afraid to catch a dose of influenza

You live your life like a canary in a coal mine *)

Then she said,

'A black crow, black as coal, wanted to be like the Swan, as her feathers were as white as the purest snow. This black bird, got the idea that if he lived like the Swan, swimming and diving all day long and eating the weeds and plants that grow in the water, his feathers would turn white like the Swan’s.

So, he left his home in the woods and fields and flew down to live on the lakes and in the marshes. But, though he washed and washed all day long, almost drowning himself at it, his feathers remained as black as ever. And as the water weeds he ate did not agree with him, he got thinner and thinner, and at last he died.

The Swan, who saw this, said,

A Coal was hid beneath the grate, which often modest merit’s fate. It was small, and so perhaps forgotten. Whilst in the room, and near in size, in a fine casket lin’d with cotton, in pomp and state, a Diamond lies, ‘So, little gentleman in black,’ the brilliant spark in anger cried, ‘I hear, in philosophic clack, that our families are close allied, but, know, the splendour of my hue, excell’d by nothing in existence, should teach such little folks as you, to keep a more respectful distance.’

At these reflections on his name, the Coal soon redden’d to a flame, of his own real use aware, he only answer’d with a sneer, ‘I scorn your taunts, good Blaze creature. And envy not your charms divine, for, know, I boast a double praise, as I can warm as well as shine.’

The Canary, summarized her story,

Now if I tell you that you suffer from delusions

You pay your analyst to reach the same conclusions

You live your life like a canary in a coal mine *)

Suddenly, the Canary became weak, then died."

The Moon said, 'In a mining tradition dating back to 1911, the miners use canaries in coal mines to detect carbon monoxide and other toxic gases. If the animal became ill or died, the miners knew, that the air, was not healthy. And Allah knows best."

Citations & References:
- James Northcote, RA, One Hundred Fables, Originals and Selected, J. Johnson
- Rev. Geo. Fyler Townsend, M.A., Aesop Fables, George Routledge and Sons
*) "Canary in a Coal Mine" written by 'Sting' Gordon Summer

Bahasa

The Sunflower

"As a Schoolmaster was walking upon the bank of a river, not far from his School, he heard a cry, as of someone in distress," the Moon told a story when she came, after pronouncing Basmalah and greeting with a Salaam. "Running to the side of the river, he saw one of his Scholars in the water, hanging by the bough of a willow. The Boy, it seems, had been learning to swim with corks, and fancying that he could now do without them, had thrown them aside. The force of the stream hurried him out of his depth, and he would certainly have been drowned, had not the friendly branch of a willow hung in his way. The Master took up the corks, which were lying upon the bank, and threw them to his Scholar. Thereafter his scholar had saved and calmed down, the Schoolmaster told him a story,

'A Bear, who was bred in the savage deserts of Siberia, had an inclination to see the world. He travelled from forest to forest, and from one kingdom to another, making many profound observations on his way.

One day he made his way by accident into a farmer’s yard, where he saw a number of Fowls standing to drink by the side of a pool. Observing that after every sip they turned up their heads towards the sky, he could not forbear inquiring the reason of so peculiar a ceremony.

They told him that it was by way of returning thanks to Heaven for the benefits they received; and was, indeed, a religious custom, which they could not, with a safe conscience, or without impiety, omit.

Here the Bear burst into a fit of laughter, at once mimicking their gestures and ridiculing, what he thoght, their superstition, in the most contemptuous manner. 

On this the Cock, with a spirit suitable to the boldness of his character, addressed him in the following words, "Sir, let me tell you sir,

Once on a time, a Bumblebee addressed a Sunflower, 'Dear Sunflower, tell me is it true, what everybody says of you?' says he. The Sunflower replied, 'Tell me, how should I know what people say? Why should I even care? 'Tis some ill-natured tale without a word of truth; but tell me, Bee, what is it people say of me?'

'Oh, no!' the Bee made haste to add, 'Tis really not so very bad. I got it from the Ant. She said, she’d heard the Sun had turned your head, and that, whenever he walks the skies, you follow him with all your eyes, from morn till eve—”

'Oh, what a shame!' exclaimed the Sunflower, aflame, 'To say such things of me! They know, the very opposite is so.

They know full well that it is he—the Sun—who always follows me.

I turn away my head until I fear my stalk will break; and still, he tags along from morn till night, starting as soon as it is light, and never takes his eyes off me, until it is too dark to see!

They really ought to be ashamed. Soon they’ll be saying I was named for him, when they know well, it was he, who took the name of Sun from me.'

The Sunflower paused, with anger dumb. The Bee said naught, but murmured, 'H’m! It was very evident that he was much impressed.

Then this Bumblebee, spread his wings at once and flew, to tell some other bees he knew, who, being also much impressed, saying, 'H’m!' and flew to tell the rest.

And now if you should chance to see, in field or grove, a Bumblebee, and hear him murmur, 'H’m!' then you will know, whom he’s alluding to.

'As you are a stranger, sir,' said the Cock, 'you may perhaps be excused the indecency of your behaviour; yet give me leave to tell you that none but a Black Bear or a White Bear, would ridicule any religious ceremonies whatsoever in the presence of those who believe them of importance.'

'Let this be a warning to you,' said the Schoolmaster, 'and in your future life never throw away your corks until you are quite sure you have strength and experience enough to swim without them.'

Before she took her leave, the Moon said, "Such was their conversation. And Allah knows best."

Citations & Reference:
- Oliver Herford, The Bashful Earthquake, Charles Scribner’s Sons
- J.B. Rundell, Aesop's Fables, Cassell, Petter and Galpin

Bahasa

Succession Planning in Islamic Perspective

"That night, I went to a land called Emerald of the Equator," the Moon told the Owl when she came to visit, after saying the Basmala and Salaam. "Everyone was eager to know who would be their new Leader, even if General election will be held in two years. Several candidates, mostly state officials, began to introduce themselves.

Then, my light fell on a place where there was a circle of knowledge. A Guru and his students, were also talking about what was being discussed by the society. The teacher said, 'No goal can be achieved by anyone alone, no matter how talented or powerful of wealthy that person may be. The biggest challenge for any leader—indeed the single factor which can mean success or failure of his mission—is his ability to inspire others to follow him—without paying the Buzzers amd Influencers or a mocking survey—and commit time, energy, wealth and talent for the achievement of his goal. This 'Goal' is not the Leaders whims or ambitions, or some people force atau persuade him to do something for the sake of their personal interests, but rather, raised in knowledge, ethics and morality, and guided by the Quran and Sunnah.

As it was said, ‘They don’t care what you say, until they know that you care.’ The Prophet’s concern, was not only for his followers, but even for those who denied him and tried to harm him, only because he wanted to invite them to the truth and save them from the Hellfire. This sounds like a strange thing, because in all worldly matters, people love those who are willing to give them things for free. But when someone invites a person toward eternal success, some people find it offensive and oppose him, and even try to harm him.

This happened to the Prophet (ﷺ) many times and in many ways. Most of all, was his own frustration and grief at the fact that despite his best efforts, his own people refused to listen to him. His concern for them was such that Allah revealed,

لَعَلَّكَ بَاخِعٌ نَّفْسَكَ اَلَّا يَكُوْنُوْا مُؤْمِنِيْنَ

'Perhaps you ˹O Prophet˺ will grieve yourself to death over their disbelief.' [QS. Ash-Shu'ara (26):3]

فَلَعَلَّكَ بَاخِعٌ نَّفْسَكَ عَلٰٓى اٰثَارِهِمْ اِنْ لَّمْ يُؤْمِنُوْا بِهٰذَا الْحَدِيْثِ اَسَفًا

'Now, perhaps you ˹O Prophet˺ will grieve yourself to death over their denial, if they ˹continue to˺ disbelieve in this message.' [QS. Al-Kahf (18):6]

It was this concern that came through, and to which they responded and not only believed in him but then supported him and were willing to do anything to protect him and propagate his message even if it meant losing their lives. Allah said about the love of the Prophet (ﷺ) for his people,

لَقَدْ جَاۤءَكُمْ رَسُوْلٌ مِّنْ اَنْفُسِكُمْ عَزِيْزٌ عَلَيْهِ مَا عَنِتُّمْ حَرِيْصٌ عَلَيْكُمْ بِالْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ رَءُوْفٌ رَّحِيْمٌ

'There certainly has come to you a messenger from among yourselves. He is concerned by your suffering, anxious for your well-being, and gracious and merciful to the believers.' [QS. (9):128]

The Prophet (ﷺ) as a leader, it is his patience and gentleness. There are several instances in his life where others behaved with him in such foolish and harsh ways that those who were with him drew their swords to teach the person a lesson. But the Prophet (ﷺ) never allowed them to take that course. His way was to deal with the harshest of treatment with calmness, gentleness and a smile. Allah said,

فَبِمَا رَحْمَةٍ مِّنَ اللّٰهِ لِنْتَ لَهُمْ ۚ وَلَوْ كُنْتَ فَظًّا غَلِيْظَ الْقَلْبِ لَانْفَضُّوْا مِنْ حَوْلِكَ ۖ فَاعْفُ عَنْهُمْ وَاسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ وَشَاوِرْهُمْ فِى الْاَمْرِۚ فَاِذَا عَزَمْتَ فَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللّٰهِ ۗ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُتَوَكِّلِيْنَ

'It is out of Allah’s mercy that you ˹O Prophet˺ have been lenient with them. Had you been cruel or hard-hearted, they would have certainly abandoned you. So pardon them, ask Allah’s forgiveness for them, and consult with them in ˹conducting˺ matters. Once you make a decision, put your trust in Allah. Surely Allah loves those who trust in Him.' [QS. Ali 'Imran (3):159]

The Prophet (ﷺ) would follow the command of Allah, scrupulously, to consult with his Sahaba before he took any decision. This may seem strange, because for one thing, he knew more and better than they did as he was the recipient of Wahi (revelation) as well as being the wisest and most experienced of them. Yet we realize the wisdom of this when we reflect on the effect that this consultation had on the Sahaba themselves. It made them feel included, valued and responsible for the effort and outcomes. In addtion, it ensured their commitment to the cause, because they had been consulted as well as it was training in decision making for them for the future for the time when the Prophet (ﷺ) would no longer be among them.

Sometimes, they had critical information about local matters which came to light, when they were consulted and enabled a better decision. Further, it served to create cohesion among them and enabled them to think across their tribal and local boundaries for the benefit of all concerned and the success of the mission of propagating Islam.

A combination of picking the right people, setting a high personal example and intensive hands on training, The Prophet (ﷺ) created not one but a set of leaders, who were able to take his message forward long after he had passed away. It is true that there were various conflicts three decades after he (ﷺ) passed away, which led to consequences that he (ﷺ) wouldn’t have wanted or approved of, but this fact only underlines the reality that no great effort is sufficient for all time. It must be continued generation after generation if one is to continue to reap its benefits.

What human beings need above all else is a great principle based leadership. What better model for that than the life of the Messenger of Allah, our beloved Prophet (ﷺ). A life that is clearly documented, free from legend and mythology, and a living example that it is indeed possible to live ethically, morally and responsibly, with compassion for others and courage to stand up against oppression and yet be highly successful in life.'

The Guru closed his discussion with, 'The Prophet's mission was not merely to convey his message, but to prepare a generation to take it forward from generation to generation. history is witness to what happened thereafter and continues to happen to this day fourteen centuries later in times and lands that the Prophet (ﷺ) neither knew about nor did he ever see.

The most difficult task for the leader is not to get people to follow his commands, but to get them to dream his dream. To get them motivated to commit fully to a vision that only he can truly see. It is only when people fully commit to the vision, that they will do what it takes to make it come true.

For any leader in any field, this is the most difficult task. The Prophet (ﷺ) was able to do this successfully, not only with his own generation, but was able to pass this on to generations yet unborn. Those who didn’t live in the Prophet's time, didn’t know him and haven’t heard his voice, still carry his message far and wide, as if it had come to them directly from him (ﷺ).'"

Before she went to another hemisphere, the Moon conveyed, "The Prophet (ﷺ) said, ‘When any calamity befalls you, think of my death, and that calamity, will seem like nothing.’ Whatever happened in history, the example and model that our beloved, Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) left for the world, remains clear, vibrant and valid for anyone who is interested in benefiting from it. It is true that the world has changed beyond recognition from the world of Muhammad (ﷺ), but the principles he (ﷺ) laid down, are still as true as other laws of nature that don’t change because society changes. Just like gravity or the law of aerodynamics, the law of success in this world and the next, remains the same. That is what Muhammad (ﷺ) was sent to teach the world. To that we bear witness and ask Allah, Subhanahu wa Ta'ala, to make us worthy of being his followers. And Allah knows best."

Citations & Reference:
- Mirza Yawar Baig, Leadership Lesson from the Life of Rasoolullah (ﷺ), Standard Bearer Academy.

Bahasa

Anti-Clockwise

"Once upon a time, in Jambudvipa, there was a King, who had a daughter, when he was old," the Moon began her story when her shape was fully rounded and her light was glowing, after saying Basmalah and Salaam. She then said, "She was the fairest King’s daughter between two seas; her hair was like spun gold and her eyes like pools in a river; and the King gave her a castle upon the sea beach, with a terrace, and a court of the hewn stone, and four towers at the four comers. Here, she dwelt and grew up, and had no care for the morrow and no power upon the hour, after the manner of simple men. It befell that she walked one day by the beach of the sea, when it was autumn, and the wind blew from the place of rains; and upon the one hand of her the sea beat, and upon the other the dead leaves ran. This was the loneliest beach between two seas, and strange things had been done there in the ancient ages. Now the King’s daughter was aware of a crone—an old woman who is thin and ugly—that sat upon the beach. The sea foam ran to her feet, and the dead leaves swarmed about her back, and the rags blew about her face in the blowing of the wind.

'Now,' said the King’s daughter, and she named a holy name, 'this is the most unhappy old crone between two seas.’

'Daughter of a King,' said the crone, 'you dwell in a stone house, and your hair is like the gold, but what is your profit ? Life is not long, nor lives strong ; and you live after the way of simple men, and have no thought for the morrow and no power upon the hour.'

'Thought for the morrow, that I have,' said the King’s daughter; 'but power upon the hour, that have I not.' And she mused with herself.

Then the crone smote her lean hands one within the other, and laughed like a seagull. 'Home,' cried she, 'O daughter of a King, home to your stone house, for the longing is come upon you now, nor can you live any more after the manner of simple men. Home, and toil and suffer, till the gift come that will make you bare.'

The King’s daughter made no more ado, but she turned about and went home to her house in silence. And she came into her chamber, thought the thought. However, throughout the night, he didn't find the answer.

The next day, the King's daughter walked along the beach, in search of the crone. There came a sound in the wind like a sound of piping. At that, she lifted up her finger in the vaulted house. 'I hear a sound in the wind, like the sound of piping. It is but a little sound, but yet is it sound enough for me.'

So she went down in the dusk to the doors of the house, and along the beach of the sea. The waves beat upon the one hand, and upon the other the dead leaves ran; and the clouds raced in the sky, and the gulls flew widdershins—to go counter-clockwise. And when she came to that part of the beach where strange things had been done in the ancient ages, lo, there was the crone, and she was dancing widdershins.

'What makes you dance widdershins, old crone?' said the King’s daughter, 'here upon the bleak beach between the waves and the dead leaves?'

'I hear a sound in the wind that is like a sound of piping,' quoth the crone. 'And it is for that that I dance widdershins. For the gift comes that will make you bare. But for me, the morrow is come that I have thought upon, and the hour of my power.'

'How comes it, crone,' said the King’s daughter, 'that you waver like a rag, and pale like a dead leaf before my eyes?'

'Listen, daughter of a King,' said the crone,

Heretofore, two merchants of the new trade, sir Present and sir Future, opened shop in this world. They lived close by each other, only Present lived in a narrow passage, but Future in the open Air. One was plain and simple, the other very adroit.

They cried their goods to all that passed by. 'Stop here, observe me well, my is Present , come to me. I’ve all what you want, the true Good is with me. My neighbour indeed, calls to you, but, alas! What will you do with him ? He'll promise much, but give you nothing. But he might bawl as long as he would, he was not much minded.'

In the mean time, Future was got upon a large stage, shining with much address and pomp. 'Here, Gentlemen,' says he, 'tis I who have disintangled the Thread of your Days. I foretell every thing that must be, and more. I have all things, desire what you will. What would you have? You have no more to do than to name it. Tell me, I comfort people in trouble. I do more, I give people good fortune before hand. It is I alone who fell hopes : What do I say? Sell them, I give them for nothing. Here, take them, Gentlemen, see, here are Treasures, Honours, Pleasures, pure and unmixed; have you ever tasted the like? No. Have patience, you must believe every word I say. They’ll come to you better prepar’d. But will you have a better Proof or my Ability and absolute Power? Present there deafens you with his superfluous Cant, you’ll see him disappear inftantly. There you see him, and now you don’t see him at all.'

And thus, Futurity, which is a meer Pitfall, amuses all Mankind.'

Then the crone smote her lean hands one within the other, and laughed like a seagull. 'Home,' cried she, 'O daughter of a King, home to your stone house, for the longing is come upon you now, nor can you live any more after the manner of simple men. Home, and toil and suffer, till the gift come that will make you bare.'

The King’s daughter made no more ado, but she turned about and went home to her house, not in silence, but singing,

तुम को बुलाऊँ, ये पलकें बिछाऊँ

Tumko bulaaoon, yeh palkein bichhaaoon

[I will call out to you, I will lay out my eyelashes]

क़दम तुम जहाँ-जहाँ रखो

Kadam tum jahan jahan rakho

[Wherever you leave your footsteps]

ज़मीं को आसमाँ बनाऊँ,

Zameen ko aasmaan banaaoon

[I will turn the ground into the sky]

सितारों से सजाऊँ, अगर तुम कहो

Sitaaron se sajaaoon, agar tum kaho

[I will adorn it with stars, if you say so]

मैं कोई ऐसा गीत गाऊँ

Main koi aisa geet gaaoon

[I will sing such a song]

कि आरज़ू जगाऊँ, अगर तुम कहो,

Ke aarzoo jagaaoon, agar tum kaho

[That I will awaken desires, if you say so]

Before her light dimmed and her shape became crescent, the Moon said, "Only today we have, while the future, surely, is approaching. Sir Future will bring two choices, change for the better, or for the worse. Therefore, we must collect provisions as much as possible, to explore, to observe, and even test, so as not to be trapped by repeated mistakes. And Allah knows best."

Citations & References:
- Robert Louis Stevenson, Fables, Charles Scribner's Sons
- Sieur De La Motte, One Hundred New Court Fables, Peter-Nofter-Row
*) "Main Koi Aisa Geet Gaoon" written by Javed Akhtar

Bahasa

Two Kings

"'In a certain space and time, in a land, known to grow a lot of grain, called the Land of Yavadvipa, two Kings met, ' the Courtier, told a story,' said the Moon after saying Basmalah and Salaam. "'The Courtier went on, 'The First King is known as the True King, because the Blue-blood flowing in his body, and his Crown, is a gift to him. While the Second King, known as—to borrow the words of a well-known economist—representative of a ruler who works as a businessman or a businessman who works as a ruler. It is said that his Crown and Throne, gotten from—whether in the right way or not—the election of the entire people.

Rumors has it, that the two Kings were talking about Infrastructure or Megaproject, which was ended by the First King's decree, 'No!' But something strange appeared, after the meeting of two Kings, the Second King immediately issued new rules for an ambitious Megaproject. Could the meeting between the two kings give the impression that the First King approved the project? I don't know what exactly happened, I can only guess, that the True King would say the following things,

First, awkward in movement or action; without skill or grace, is no joke. 

A farmer, went to the stables to see to his beasts of burden; among them was his favorite Ass, that was always well fed and often carried his master. With the farmer, came his Lapdog, who danced about and licked his hand and frisked about. The farmer gave the Lapdog some food, and sat down. The Lapdog jumped into his master’s lap, and lay there while the farmer stroked his ears.

The Ass, seeing this, broke loose from his halter and commenced prancing about in imitation of the Lapdog. The farmer could not hold his sides with laughter, so the Ass went up to him, and attempted to climb into his lap. The farmer’s servants rushed up with sticks and pitchforks and drove the Ass back to the stables. 

Secondly, fooling those trying to fool you is beneficial.

A Lion, who had got old and infirm, saw a fine plump Nag—a horse, particularly an old one or one in poor condition, or, a person who constantly urges, annoys or scolds—and longed for a bit of him. Knowing that the animal would prove too fleet for him in the chase, he had recourse to artifice. He gave out to all the beasts that, having spent many years in studying physic, he was now prepared to heal any malady or distemper with which they might be afflicted. He hoped by that means to get admittance among them, and so find a chance of gratifying his appetite.

The Horse, who had doubts of the Lion’s honesty, came up limping, pretending that he had run a thorn into one of his hind feet, which gave him great pain. The Lion asked that the foot might be shown to him, and pored over it with a mock earnest air. The Horse, slyly looking round, saw that he was preparing to spring, and vigorously sending out both his heels at once, gave the Lion such a kick in the face, that it laid him stunned and sprawling upon the ground. Then laughing at the success of his trick, he trotted merrily away. 

Thirdly, an enemy is most dangerous when offering you help.

A Sow had just farrowed, and lay in the sty with her whole litter of pigs about her. A Wolf who longed for a little one but knew not how to come by it, endeavoured to insinuate herself in the good opinion of the mother. 'How do you find yourself today, Mrs. Sow?' said she. 'A little fresh air would certainly do you great good. Now, do go abroad and air yourself a little, and I will with pleasure mind your young ones till you return.'

'Many thanks for your offer,' replied the Sow. 'I know very well what kind of care you would take of my little ones. If you really wished to be as obliging as you pretend to be, you would not show me your face again!'

Next, about Equality.

A Horse and an Ass were travelling together, the Horse prancing along in its fine trappings, the Ass carrying with difficulty the heavy weight in its panniers. 'I wish I were you,' sighed the Ass, 'nothing to do and well fed, and all that fine harness upon you.'

Next day, however, there was a great battle, and the Horse was wounded to death in the final charge of the day. His friend, the Ass, happened to pass by shortly afterwards and found him on the point of death. 'I was wrong,' said the Ass, 'Better humble security than gilded danger.'

Political philosophers write of three types of Equality. First, democratic societies affirm the principle of equality of political rights—generally including the right to vote, the right to trial by jury, and the right to free speech and association. Secondly, in the 1960s, liberal philosophers espoused the view that people should also have equal economic opportunity. In other words, all people should play by the same rules on a level playing field. All should have equal access to the best schools, training, and jobs. Then discrimination on the basis of race or gender or religion would disappear. Many steps were taken to promote greater equality, but inequalities of opportunity have proved very stubborn.

These two types of equality are increasingly accepted in most advanced democracies.

A third, the most far-reaching ideal, but generally rejected, is equality of economic outcomes. In this utopia, people would have the same consumption whether they were smart or dull, eager or lazy, lucky or unfortunate. Wages would be the same for doctor and nurse, lawyer and secretary. 'From each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs' was Karl Marx’s formulation of this philosophy.

Today, even the most radical socialist recognizes that some differences in economic outcome are necessary if the economy is to function efficiently.

Latest news, in the Northern Hemisphere, Islamophobia has been abandoned. One of the definition of Islamophobia is the presumption that Islam is inherently violent, alien, and unassimilable, a presumption driven by the belief that expressions of Muslim identity correlate with a propensity for terrorism. Islamophobia is the modern progeny of Orientalism, a worldview that casts Islam as the civilizational antithesis of the West and that is built upon the core stereotypes and baseline distortions of Islam and Muslims, the popular imagination by Orientalist theory, narratives, and law. Underlying this definition are three dimensions of Islamophobia: private Islamophobia, structural Islamophobia, and dialectical Islamophobia. 

However, in the Southern Hemisphere, in the land of Yavadvipa, Islamophobia is the main selling point. The Second King's heroes, are very diligent selling Islamophobia in their stalls, no matter what it will cause hatred and division of the land. There's a story,

The Sun sought a wife, but people denied the wedding, as sons of the Sun would cause hardship. Imagine, if only one sun was hot, why asking for adding another sun? All agreed, because EVIL OFTEN PROMOTES EVIL.

The courtier ended with, 'May there be a better revival movement, after the Second King, has come out of his place of contemplation,' then, he sang,

Kalau bulan bisa ngomong

[If the moon could talk]

Sayang bulan tak bisa ngomong

[Too bad, the moon can't talk]

Coba kalau bisa ngomong

[When she could talk]

Ia pasti tak akan bohong

[She definitely won't lie]

Tentang cinta, cinta kita

[About love, our love]

Kalau bulan bisa ngomong

[If the moon could talk]

Ada cinta yang terlalu

[There will be excessive love]

Ada rindu yang terlalu

[There will be excessive yearning]

Semua serba terlalu

[Everything excessive]

Padamu, ya, padamu *)

[To you, yeah, to you]

So, the Moon talked, "Uncle Sam's treasurer has raised interest rates, instead of thinking about his Megaproject, has the Second King, pondered about Antipoverty policies? And Allah knows best."

Citations & References:
- Paul A. Samuelson and William Nordhaus, Economics, McGraw Hill
- Khaled A. Beydoun, American Islamophobia, University of California Press
- J.B. Rundell, Aesop's Fables, Cassell, Petter and Galpin
- Rev. Geo. Fyler Townsend, M.A., Aesop Fables, George Routledge and Sons
*) "Kalau Bulan Bisa Ngomong" written by Doel Sumbang

Bahasa

Eid is Tomorrow

"'Tomorrow is Eid and Eid is tomorrow. What is the meaning of Eid and how will it be?' added the Shaykh," the Moon continued when the Hilal had been seen, after with greeting with Basmalah and Salaam. "The Shaykh said, 'Eid is not for him who wears new clothes. Or who takes pride in his affluence. Surely Eid is for those who feared the Promised Day of Reckoning and the Owner of the Majestic Throne.

Eid is not rhythms and strings. It is not arbitrary amusement and wildness. Eid is rather an occasion of gratitude to the Beneficent and acknowledgement of His favour. It is a time to display His grace and advance in the convoy of believers, strengthening the religion and overcoming the patron of the Devil.

The affairs of Eid include, one should eat something before the Eid prayer. This may take the form of dates in accord with the command of Allah as was demonstrated while fasting. Likewise, the alms for the breaking of the fast (Zakaat al-Fitr ) acquits the fasting person from mistakes and obscenities committed during Ramadan. It brings happiness to the poor, revives the spirit of cooperation and kindness among Muslims, purifies their souls and suppresses their tendencies toward stinginess.

The affairs of Eid include, one should eat something before the Eid prayer. This may take the form of dates in accord with the command of Allah as was demonstrated while fasting. Likewise, the alms for the breaking of the fast (Zakaat al-Fitr ) acquits the fasting person from mistakes and obscenities committed during Ramadan. It brings happiness to the poor, revives the spirit of cooperation and kindness among Muslims, purifies their souls and suppresses their tendencies toward stinginess.

Wearing new clothes and perfumes is one of the practices of Eid. It is a means of recognizing the kindness of Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala. It involves Beautification because Allah is Beautiful and He loves that which is beautiful. Eid is a time to display the favour of Allah as there is a hadith that says, ‘Verily Allah loves to see the effect of His favour upon His servant if He blesses him.’ It is an occasion to exchange visits, greetings, love and good wishes. It demands contact with relatives, kindness to parents, empathy for the poor and compassion for neighbours. 

The Muslim Eid reflects happiness that is governed by the Islamic rules and mores. It enjoins dignified fun, courteous and innocent games, caring smiles, legitimate picnics and creative stories. This is an occasion that evokes images of the Day of the Great Exhibition. Eid gathers thousands upon thousands of rich, poor, big, small, ruler, ruled, happy and sad.

Eid is a day of rewards. Whoever fasted with faith and consciousness grant him glad tidings of a great prize, a major success and a huge reward. Whosoever sinned while fasting, was careless with the command of Allah and transgressed His boundaries, he will regret it and feel deeply sorry. And what a great loss that would be.

On the day of Eid, there will be two groups of people returning from the prayer. One group has been rewarded and is grateful. Allah will say to them, ‘Go you have been forgiven. You pleased Me and I have been pleased with you.'

The other group is that of the losers and despondent. They will be returning with disappointment, loss, regret, and denial.

Umar ibn Abdul Aziz saw some people hastening away from Arafat on their horses and camels at sunset. He said to them, ‘The one who wins not he who goes fastest on his horse or camel; but the winner is he whose sins are forgiven.’

O Muslim! Think about those with whom you prayed last Eid. They included your fathers, grandfathers, beloved ones and friends. Where are they ? Where have they gone ? Tomorrow you will receive the prize. Tomorrow you will be given your full recompense in a record of your deeds. Make sure that only good is written in it. And, await your greatest Eid. The day when you would win the pleasure and forgiveness of Allah by His permission.'"

The Moon left with a closing, 'O you who fast! May the peace, blessings and mercy of Allah be upon you. I entrust you in Allah’s care, the One who does not cause to lose anything in His trust. May your fasting and standing in prayer at nights, be good. Enjoy what you have striven for. Taqabbalallahu minna wa minkum, wa taqabbal, yaa Kareem! And Allah knows best."

Citations & Reference:
- Aa'id Abdullah Al-Qarni, Thirty Lessons for Those Who Fast, translated by Dr. Daud A. Abdullah, Darussalam

Bahasa

Til'ka Ayaatullahi ...

"'Ibn al-Jawzi, once wrote, '"The month of Ramadan to the other months is like Yusuf to his brothers. So, just like Yusuf was the most beloved son to Ya'qub, Ramadan is likewise the most beloved month to Allah,' the Shaykh opened a conversation,' said Rembulan after saying Basmala and Salaam. "'Then, how about the Quran and Ramadan?' he continued, 'Shaykh Dr. Aaidh ibn Abdullah al-Qarni, wrote, 'The Quran loves Ramadan and Ramadan loves the Quran. They are two beloved friends. Allah Almighty says,

شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِيْٓ اُنْزِلَ فِيْهِ الْقُرْاٰنُ هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنٰتٍ مِّنَ الْهُدٰى وَالْفُرْقَانِۚ

'Ramaḍan is the month in which the Quran was revealed as a guide for humanity with clear proofs of guidance and the standard to distinguish between right and wrong ....' [QS. Al-Baqarah (2):185]

The entire Quran was sent down from the ‘Preserved Tablet’ to the heavens of the earth in the month of Ramadan. It was, therefore, an honour for this month that the Quran should be revealed in it. For this reason, the Prophet (ﷺ) used to study the Quran with the angel Gabriel during Ramadan. He (ﷺ) used to listen and reflect upon its meanings, recite it, live with its calls, allow his heart to roam in its fields and release all his love in its treasures.

The person who reads while fasting, combines Ramadan with the Glorious Quran. He, therefore, lives this month with the Noble Book about which, Allah says,

كِتٰبٌ اَنْزَلْنٰهُ اِلَيْكَ مُبٰرَكٌ لِّيَدَّبَّرُوْٓا اٰيٰتِهٖ وَلِيَتَذَكَّرَ اُولُوا الْاَلْبَابِ

'This is a blessed Book which We have revealed to you ˹O Prophet˺ so that they may contemplate its verses, and people of reason may be mindful.' [QS. Sad (36):29]

اَفَلَا يَتَدَبَّرُوْنَ الْقُرْاٰنَ اَمْ عَلٰى قُلُوْبٍ اَقْفَالُهَا

'Do they not then reflect on the Quran? Or are there locks upon their hearts?' [QS. Muhammad (47):24]

اَفَلَا يَتَدَبَّرُوْنَ الْقُرْاٰنَ ۗ وَلَوْ كَانَ مِنْ عِنْدِ غَيْرِ اللّٰهِ لَوَجَدُوْا فِيْهِ اخْتِلَافًا كَثِيْرًا

'Do they not then reflect on the Quran? Had it been from anyone other than Allah, they would have certainly found in it many inconsistencies.' [QS. An-Nisa (4):82]

In Ramadan, the Noble Quran has its own special taste and flavour. It offers exceptional inspiration and distinct rationales. Still besides, the Quran bestows fresh vitality. Ramadan brings back memories of the Quran’s revelation, its days of collective study, and the periods of attention devoted to it by our predecessors. The Prophet (ﷺ) once advised, ‘Read the Quran, for surely it will be an intercessor for you on the Day of Judgement.’ He (ﷺ) also said, ‘The best of you are those who learn the Quran and teach it.’ And, ‘Read the two flowers, Surah al Baqarah and Ali Imran. They will come as two clouds or as a barrier of crowded birds that would shade their readers on the Day of Judgement.

The Prophet (ﷺ) also said, 'The one who reads the Quran, and is expert in doing so, will be with the noble and virtuous angels. And the one who reads the Quran and stutters with it, he will have two rewards.’

When Ramadan came, our forefathers, used to disengage themselves and set out on a spiritual journey with the Glorious Quran. It was said that when Ramadan came, Imam Malik never preoccupied himself except with the Quran. He used to suspend teaching and issuing legal rulings during this time, pointing out that this was the month of the Quran. And so the homes of our forebears had a special buzz as that of bees. Their homes radiated light and filled hearts with happiness. They used to recite the Quran in the most melodious voices, stopping at its wonders and crying because of its admonitions, becoming happy with its tidings, enjoining its commands and forbidding its prohibitions.

It was confirmed that Ibn Mas’ud once read the first part of Surah an-Nisa for our Prophet (ﷺ), until he reached the verse,

فَكَيْفَ اِذَا جِئْنَا مِنْ كُلِّ اُمَّةٍۢ بِشَهِيْدٍ وَّجِئْنَا بِكَ عَلٰى هٰٓؤُلَاۤءِ شَهِيْدًاۗ

'So how will it be when We bring a witness from every faith-community and bring you ˹O Prophet˺ as a witness against yours?' [QS. An-Nisa (4):41]

Then the Prophet (ﷺ) stopped him saying, ‘That is enough for now.’ Ibn Mas’ud said when he looked at the Prophet (ﷺ), his eyes were flowing with tears. Clearly, it was the admirer hearing the words of his beloved and crying.

Still, according to another account, the Prophet (ﷺ) once listened to Abi Musa reciting the Quran while the latter was unaware that he was being listened to. Then the Prophet (ﷺ) said to him, ‘Did you not see me listening to your skilful recitation ? You were given a flute from the flutes of David.’

Abu Musa replied, ‘If I knew, O Messenger of Allah that you were listening to me, I would have embellished it considerably.’ Meaning that he would have beautified his voice more than ever, thereby making the Quran more effective, impressive and elegant.

In this context, it was reported that when Umar ibn al Khattab sat with the companions, he used to say, ‘O Abu Musa! Remind us of our Rabb.’ The latter would surge forward and recite with his beautiful voice leaving them all crying.

Verily, the listening to his words has caused me to cry, for how would it be, if my eyes were to see Him manifest. He recited the remembrance of his Master and yearned to meet Him. And the longing of the hearts of those who know Him, are renewed.

When the whims of later generations, turned them away from listening to the words of Allah, learning became distorted, dispositions were turned upside down and understandings became afflicted.

When the Quran was substituted by other sources of guidance, corruption became common, calamities multiplied, understandings were thrown into disarray and fortitude disappeared. Surely the purpose of the Quran is to guide people to the straight path. It is a light and remedy for the illnesses of the heart. It is knowledge, culture and evidence. The Quran is life, spirit, salvation, happiness, reward and recompense. It is a divine teaching, a constitution and eternal wisdom.

Will we not then live with the Quran in Ramadan and outside of Ramadan ? Will we not recognize the greatness of the Quran and fill our hearts with its happiness, and radiance ? Will we not do this?'

Then, the Shaykh recited two verses,

تِلْكَ اٰيٰتُ اللّٰهِ نَتْلُوْهَا عَلَيْكَ بِالْحَقِّ ۗ وَمَا اللّٰهُ يُرِيْدُ ظُلْمًا لِّلْعٰلَمِيْنَ

وَلِلّٰهِ مَا فِى السَّمٰوٰتِ وَمَا فِى الْاَرْضِ ۗوَاِلَى اللّٰهِ تُرْجَعُ الْاُمُوْرُ

'These are Allah’s revelations We recite to you ˹O Prophet˺ in truth. And Allah desires no injustice to ˹His˺ creation.

To Allah ˹alone˺ belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. And to Allah ˹all˺ matters will be returned 'for judgment'.' [QS. Ali 'Imran (3):108-109]

Before she leaves, the Moon added, "In a journal, which contains the question, 'Does fasting have any social benefits?' Sheikh Mohammad Ibn Saalih Al-'Uthaymeen, wrote his answer, 'Yes, it does. Among these is that people feel that they are one single nation, eating at the same time and fasting at the same time. The wealthy become more aware of Allah's blessings and are thus more sympathetic to the poor. Fasting weakens the devil's evil effect on people. It produces fear of Allah, which, in its turn, strengthens the [social] bonds between members of the Muslim community.'

Eid Mubarak guys! May, on this Joyous Eid al-Fitr, Allah bless us all with Happines, and Grace our home with Warmth and Peace! Amin. Barakallahu feekum!

And Allah knows best."

Citations & References:
- Aa'id Abdullah Al-Qarni, Thirty Lessons for Those Who Fast, translated by Dr. Daud A. Abdullah, Darussalam.
- Ramadan Al-Jumuah Magazine

Bahasa