I tend to blog about what I spend my time thinking about. And lately, I've been thinking about my move across the country. What will my life be like there? Should I start a new blog when I move, to be more anonymous? Are there other Muslim bloggers in the area? What are the Muslims there like? What will they think of me? And even: How will I decorate?
I've also spent some time thinking about my upcoming honeymoon, the actual trip across the country. Since I've been away from my husband now for two full weeks, I'm really starting to miss him. I missed him at first but three days together was not enough time to prepare me for this separation. Frankly it's just weird--I didn't realize how weird it would feel.
Alhamdulillah, at any rate. My husband (can you tell I like saying that?) will eventually inshaaAllaah make it back to my side of the country to drive me to our new home. When he hasn't been insanely busy at work, he managed to find time to lease an apartment and take some lovely photographs of it with his brand new fancy camera. I'm excited.
The next few days will be extremely busy. InshaaAllaah, tomorrow is Thanksgiving, Friday is Eid and my brother's wedding rehearsal and dinner, and Saturday is the wedding!
On Eid--did anyone see the Best Buy advertisement saying "Happy Eid al-Adha?" What I found more intriguing than the actual ad were the complaints from some "Christian Americans" on various blogs when the subject came up. Now, these folks were not in any sense the majority, but they were certainly the most amusing, from complaining that Eid was a goat-slaughtering holiday and that Best Buy had banned Christmas. (Rolling my eyes at that one.)
These proud Christian Americans are no doubt the ones who will gather around a festively decorated table tomorrow to chow down on a carefully cooked and carved turkey. In fact, it's almost more common to hear people say "Turkey Day" than "Thanksgiving." But Eid is a goat-slaughtering holiday? Excuse my rant, but seriously? When an animal is slaughtered on Eid (and it can be a lamb, sheep, goat, cow, or camel, not just goat) it is done with a pretty clear purpose--to remember how Abraham, with his tremendous faith, was willing to sacrifice his son. The sacrifice also keeps the family in touch with nature, at least in a sense that the animal has to be slaughtered a certain way and so forth. It's not bought in a grocery store. And then the meat from the animal is to be eaten, and shared, especially with the poor and needy. So it's also a charity.
I tend to view Thanksgiving more as an exercise in gluttony than one of faith, sacrifice, or charity. Now that's just my perspective, but I find it pretty laughable to hear those "Christian Americans" complaining about Eid.
But on the other hand, I could care less (and they probably should or they might wind up with high blood pressure) if Best Buy wants to wish anyone a happy holiday, regardless of what the holiday is, and regardless of how specific they choose to be when conveying the greeting. Meaning, it doesn't bother me one bit to hear someone say "Merry Christmas" for example. So I can just keep on laughing at the whack-jobs who need to bother about holiday greetings in sale papers.
So there... a few random thoughts to say I blogged today! :-)
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6 comments:
I agree with the 'exercise in gluttony' comment.. :)
As you probably know I'm an Eid only kind of gal. I don't find it necessary at all to celebrate these other holidays...
Best wishes with your new marriage.
I hope you keep your blog with the same level of transparency, so that people in Raleigh will still be able to identify you check up on you :-)
Jamilah, I think you're right, it's not necessary at all. And mashaaAllaah the Eid khutbah (at least, the shift I went to) for this Eid was about the true value and beauty of Islamic holidays as opposed to the non-Islamic ones.
Were I not here with my family, I wouldn't do Thanksgiving (nor the rest.)
Zaeneb, I think you're right. The transparency keeps me accountable also. InshaaAllaah I won't go anonymous. :-)
BTW, you and the 9th grade will have my du'aat inshaaAllaah. :-)
Salam Amy
Where are you moving to?
When you recall Abraham sacrificing his son, why do you not realize it was a prophecy that Allah would actually sacrifice His to redeem the world?
Half-truths allow confusion: Seekers of Truth fill in details and lead themselves astray. The Prophet (pbuh) was sincere but he too was taken in. He knew Allah (swt) had an adversary but did not suspect that he was being used. Mohamed (pbuh) made belief easy, and many chose it (and many do so still.).
Contiguous dimensional worlds tell us where God is and why we can't see Him. God's great love sent Jesus, who redeemed the world. Islam asks, "Who needs redeeming?" , but it is obvious something is wrong with mankind. Evil Satan rebelled against he whom God appointed as 'King of Heaven and Earth', and Satan uses Islam to frustrate Allah's great plan. Is there really 'peace' in Islam?
The real shape of the worlds is described in 'Techie Worlds, Visible & Invisible' (available from Amazon.com). It explains these things in an understandable, mechanistic and logical way. It shows how Allah's vast love for mankind and for His worlds includes you and me and all His children, God's love can bring happiness to us all. Read 'Techie Worlds' for a true understanding of what Allah has done for us.
GeorgeRic
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