Words & Numbers

I like words a lot more than numbers. 

I feel at home in words.

I can taste, smell, and feel words. 

Numbers, they never tell me the whole story.

4.6 million Syrian refugees 

11.3% of the world's population hungry 

244 schools damaged in Palestine 

38.8% -Trumps wins primary in Illinois 

2 am. 3 am. 

See, Only words can capture infinity. 

Only words can explain fear.

Only words can pronounce hope.

Only words can be powerful, even when they're not there. 

Numbers they, tell of what's present.

Of what meets the eye. Of what can be multiplied. And subtracted. 

Of what can be defined.

Numbers, they label. 

Blood pressure 120/80

Heart rate 95

But he feels dead, inside.

7 doctor visits. 12 stitches. 

But she's grateful, for another day. 

Words, they have this ability. 

To capture what's on the mind. 

To release what's in the heart.

To enrich what's in the soul.  

They tell of stories untold. 

And of generations long ago.

They turn on candles in the dark.

They form prayers out of tears.

Numbers and words they, work together sometimes. 

They paint with different strokes. And speak different tales.

But words, they remain permanent. 

Even after numbers lose their count. 

And if you were to count God's favors, you would never be able to number them.

For numbers cannot grasp, the amount of blessings that, pour and pour into our lives. 

The amount of times we are given second chances. 

The amount of times that we breathe.

Inhales. Exhales. Sighs and Reliefs.

Numbers will tell you how many. Words will tell you who. Numbers will tell you if you passed. Words will remind you, you are more than that. 

Numbers will say it's 5 words total.

Words will say: You Can Change The World

Numbers will say, that's not accurate.

Words will say, read between the lines. 

Illuminating Potential

Based off "The Allegory of the Cave" in Plato's Republic

As we grow and mature in the world we live in, we begin to learn more about our personal fears, hopes, and beliefs. We begin to mold a self-concept of who we think we are. This self-concept is a composite of ideas and attitudes that a person has about his or her own identity. Factors such as the values and opinions of others, however, can play a significant role in the shaping of this self-concept. Although this compound of ideas that we believe is true about ourselves can be one that is admirable, it can also be one that diminishes the light of true self-actualization. Instead of a person becoming more of who they already are, a self-concept can be a chain that merely traps a person in a state of longing to become something they hope they are, while at the same time fearing they are not truly that person they are striving to be. Concepts like these that are conceived in the mind usually represent abstract ideas generalized from mental perceptions about life. Who you truly are does not stem from these abstract and general ideas; however, it stems from something not conceived in your mind. Who you truly are rather stems from something deeper and more real and that is from the depth of your being, your soul.

Recognizing and being in tune with the true essence of our being is what can lead us to self-actualization and the true illumination of our potential. If we live our lives based off a false or generalized concept of who we wish we were, we will never truly realize the things we are capable of overcoming and becoming; we will be shackled in a mindset of false illusions and desires. We will find ourselves in a cave of false hopes, beliefs, and perceptions. Like the cumulative image of the Cave that Plato illustrates in The Republic, we will be trapped in our own misconceptions of reality. The Allegory of the Cave presented in Book VII helps us understand this concept further as it illustrates what is truly preventing us from being enlightened and from attaining true knowledge of ourselves and the world around us.

Through Socrates, we are able to visualize and understand the multi-faceted meanings from the Cave metaphor. These can be seen in the beginning with the presence of prisoners that are chained within the cave; they are bound to the floor and are unable to turn their heads to see what goes on behind them (514a-15a; 516a-c). Behind the prisoners, under the protection of the parapet, lie the puppeteers that create the shadows on the walls that the prisoners perceive as being reality. Since the prisoners are incapable of turning around, they are thus incapable of realizing that the realities they are witnessing are merely shadows created from wooden and iron objects. And so, through the allegory at this point, we can conclude that the prisoners have “names” for only things they can fathom with their minds and not things they are actually able to see.

This inability to see things for what they truly are is one of the major shackles that causes the prisoners to remain in their dwelling of darkness. The shadows cast by the puppets are those that keep the prisoners preoccupied with cultural myths and assumptions. In an unjust society these things can be prejudices, stereotypes, and other false conceptions that hinder members of society from seeing the truth about themselves or those around them. These false concepts are what hold back individuals from realizing their full potential; they conversely influence individuals into forming self-concepts that are not based on reality but rather on ideals and standards unjustly made. If these cultural shackles are not questioned or removed, they will continue to blind the prisoners from the truth of self-fulfillment that can only be achieved when the shackles are removed and one can witness the reality that is not a mere shadow of cultural presuppositions.

This ascent towards understanding the truth about one’s self and reality is not an easy task. Plato describes the vision of the real truth to be "aching" to the eyes of the prisoners, and that after seeing that which is truly real, a previous dweller of the cave would need some time to adjust to his new world above (516a-b). What allows the prisoner to free himself from his shackles and foolishness is the process of acquiring a certain type of education. This education is not obtained through simply putting knowledge into empty minds, but rather through making people realize that which they already know. Thus, the process of reaching enlightenment and self-actualization is not a process of creating one’s self but a process of discovering one’s self. Here we can again see the distinction between a self-concept and reality. If one is blinded about the reality of himself due to cultural assumptions or the opinions of others, he will never truly match his reality with his self-concept. This will ultimately shackle him in the cave and prevent him from illuminating his true potential.

Just like sight cannot be put into blind eyes, knowledge cannot simply be placed into souls that lack it; it requires awareness of one’s own self and understanding. Learning can only occur then when an individual frees himself from the chains that bind him, turns around towards the light, and learns to accept things as they are rather than as one perceives them to be. This learning can be marked and seen when those that achieve enlightenment can see their former chains. They no longer view these chains as being transparent, and the things that previously shackled them become noticeable. This is because the soul has become illuminated and the enlightened person has achieved true self-actualization where he understands the true essence of his being. When we realize that who we are is not the collection of abstract ideas that we have conjured in our minds and we comprehend that "the capacity to learn and the organ with which to do so are present in every person's soul" (518c), we can then begin to ascend from the shadows of our perceptions into the true awareness of our existence.

An allegory, like the Allegory of the Cave, is a representation of abstract meanings through symbolism to illustrate a truth or a moral. Being like an incomplete simile, it requires that the reader supply what is similar to the events described. For this reason, when one reads the Allegory of the Cave, he can make connections to his own life that may be different than the connections others make. These many connections that readers can establish do not take away from the elements of the allegory, but rather enforce them. Everyone must find his or her own path to self-actualization, and although the road may be tedious and difficult, it will always provide illumination to those who reach their full potential and understand reality as it truly is. No matter how strong one’s shackles were or how difficult it was to ascend into that understanding that is based on truth, the destination will yield similar results. Some may take longer than others and some may reach different answers, but no matter how shadowed their previous beliefs were, it is still possible for them to conquer the path to enlightenment.

Those who have been liberated from the cave have achieved the highest level of knowledge that comes with understanding. The contrasts formulated between the shadows, the reflections, and the actual objects are clues to discerning the different levels of enlightenment that can be attained. For example, the shadows reflected in the cave can be a wide variety of disagreements and opinions that individuals have about a certain truth. This can be how others view you or interpret your behavior. In order to “see” the real version of yourself, you must attain reliable knowledge that guides you towards a truth that is not blurred and a truth that is not changing. This truth is not always something that can be seen in your outward behavior and conduct because it stems from an intelligible source rather than a visible source—the soul. True understanding of your soul and the essence of your being is what can de-mystify the shackles that you may be blinded from; with this realization you can enter the world of thought and leave the world of only senses and wavering shadows.

The Allegory of the Cave represents a complex model of how we journey in our lives towards understanding ourselves and reality. The progress of thought, introspection, and human development is what can guide our souls to true self-actualization. Our path to complete awareness will require that we drop created self-concepts that are shadowed and adopt truths about ourselves that are based on reality. In many instances in our lives we may find ourselves placed in situations where we are challenged to stand in the integrity of our soul and who we truly are. But as we accept the reality of our essence, we may find that the opinions of others will affect us less and less. We may discover that through accepting who we are, we are able to relieve ourselves of shackles imposed on us by others; we may find our finally unveiled truths ultimately guiding us from the Cave to illuminated potential.

Real Change

Made of paper, exchanged through hands, crumbled in wallets, and sometimes written on—how can this seemingly insignificant object have the power to create power. When you have a lot of it you are “rich”, but rich in what? We are told over and over again that money can’t buy happiness, but isn’t happiness the most fulfilling richness? Money can be a tool; it can get you places and give you things but it is not anything more than a tool. It will take you wherever you wish, but it will not replace you as the driver. Without you, it is worth nothing. If we live our lives thinking that money will do everything, we will eventually live to do everything for money. Money will not create the success we desire, but it can be our tool to create change. But to make any progress, we must first severe our attachment to money and our attachment to the idea that its accumulation is what can bring us success and happiness. We are the driving force behind our success and our personal enrichment. The only change money can give us is that in quarters, nickels and dimes. We have to bring about the change we wish to see and enrich ourselves with that which money can’t buy.     

Like a Sky Scraper

When you go to the city, something about your vision changes. You find yourself looking up, around, and way-ahead more than looking down at your feet in the crowd. In fact, sometimes you forget to look where you're walking because what's ahead seems more exciting. Headphones plugged in, suitcase in hand, camera to the eye--everyone seems in their own world walking to a personalized destination following their own pace, and the only thing in common is the sky scrapers above. As they watch over the busy workers of the Chicago streets, they share something in common with the explorers that search above. No need to peer from their infinite windows in horizontal rows; they stretch high into the skies vertically reaching for the clouds while abiding at the center of their being. Maybe we are all sky scrapers. 

Picture taken in Downtown Chicago 09/06/13

An Easy Game of Tic Tac Toe?

Tic Tack Toe, three in a row. Just match the three symbols, X or O, and you're a winner I always thought. Notice a pattern and fill in the blanks, it's one of the easiest games I always thought. But play the game now with any intellectual mind, and you'll find a once too simple game something almost impossible to win. Cat's game, they call it. Life is a cat's game: you win some and you lose some and sometimes the winner isn't immediately known. It's not always as easy as filling in the last O--sometimes life places that O before you do and you have to find a way around it. Sometimes someone finds the pattern before you. Sometimes it's harder than just filling in the blank. But, ultimately, you win if you don't think you lose. Love the game. Appreciate the blessings that surround your day to day struggles and remember that life can be simple if you make it so. Remember you destination and your commitment to Allah, and you'll notice that the struggles in your life are either a lesson or a blessing--two things that you can ultimately benefit from. So if you find yourself frustrated by the events in your life or those happening around the world, remember that beauty can be found when we follow the simple instructions that God has given us. They are the answer to every puzzle. No matter the conflict, love the One who can give you strength to get through it all and have faith that Allah is on your side. Love what's around you. After all, it is XOXO.

Beautiful Imperfection

Coffee stains my porcelain cup as ink spills on to this neatly penned page. Blotted with unease, spilled with grace; what’s permanent and imperfect is not always flawed. Imperfection clings to me and yet it frees me. I feel liberated from straight lines and boundaries. I seek bold images and lasting impressions. Like the art that remains after one sip, my words scramble and rearrange into paragraphs enclosing my thoughts. The white of my paper and the white of my cup create a contrast of who I am. I am flawed; I am imperfect—take a sip of my words.

We are Ants

A small hardworking ant: so minuscule to the human eye, yet so vital in its natural functions. A player on a large team, but an individual in its survival. Most of the time, we too are ants-so carried away with the busy work, the day to day tasks, the collecting of things, so busy that we often can’t see the big picture. Like ants on a beautifully designed carpet, we scurry on not knowing that we are walking on beauty, simply because we cannot see the full design yet. It’s important we take a second and look around: to remember the destination and to remember that where we are is truly beautiful, in the present moment and in the greater picture…if we just took the time to reflect. So don’t just hear what's around you, listen. Don’t just look, see. Be a hard working ant, but remember you have the capability of looking at the big picture.

Ego Amongst the Dead

Narrated Abu al-Darda: “Worship God as if you see Him, and count your ego amongst the dead, and beware of the supplication of the oppressed." (Quoted by al-Tabarani) In this hadith, we can learn a wide variety of things varying from conquering the ego to detaching from the world and its desires. In the first line we see what is described as “ihsan” or worshiping God as if we see Him. This level of spiritual excellence is not something easily achieved. In order to see God everywhere, one must not see oneself anymore. This means, we must extinguish our concupiscent desires and detach from the world in a humbling manner. Only by eliminating our egos and remembering our graves, can we begin to journey on this path towards “ihsan”. Before reaching this level, we must perfect the levels before it. Preceding “ihsan” are the levels of “Islam” and “Iman”. Islam involves the basics: practicing the five pillars sincerely and testifying that there is no God but Allah and that Muhammad (pbuh) is his Messenger. In order to reach “Iman”, a deeper degree of acknowledgment is required. “Iman” is to believe in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, the Last Day, and to believe in divine destiny, both the good and the evil thereof. In all of this, the Muslim is aware that life is a test: that we will be held accountable for our actions and that the Angels on our shoulders record all of our deeds. The level discussed in this hadith however, is the highest level of spiritual excellence: worshiping God as if you see Him. This means you are aware that although you do not see Allah (swt), He sees you.This is the level of righteousness, the level of perfection, the level of doing and saying the ultimate good, the level of I'hsan. As Muslims, we must always strive to reach this level of Faith. And the easiest way to do so is to detach from the world and “count our ego amongst the dead”. By doing so, we forget our selfish desires and we focus on praising the One who created us, the One who sees all that we do. Whoever purifies his character will extinguish jealousy, hatred, greed, anger, pride and all the other maladies of the soul from his heart. Once the heart is pure, it will illuminate all that you see and do. With the recent events in Syria and all over the world, many have asked, “what can I do?!” and “why is there so much hate?” Eliminating these evil things, believe it or not, starts with you. If you want to eliminate all that his dark in the world, cleans your heart until it is able to provide light for the darkness and hope for despair. If you want to eliminate the hate in the world, start by loving for your brother what you love for yourself. Dua is a powerful tool that can help you reach this level of “ihsan”. We must remember to pray for the oppressed, detach from the world, and purify our hearts from impure desires…surely then we will find peace.      

Submission

Eid Al-Adha is an important time of year where we as Muslims honor the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his only son Ismail as an act of obedience to God, before God intervened to allow him to sacrifice a sheep instead. We all know the beautiful story, but there is so much more than knowledge that we can attain from this story. The story teaches a multitude of lessons and demonstrates ideal qualities of pious Muslims that we should strive to imitate. Indeed it was the greatest test for Ibrahim: to sacrifice his only son, one born to him after reaching old age and longing for a son for a very long time. Even with that, Ibrahim demonstrated willingness to sacrifice all his belongings to God out of faith and humility. This same submission can be seen in Ismail. After being told the news from his father, Ismail, the pious son of a pious father, was committed to submit to God and give up his own life. This is true faith: to trust Allah in all circumstances in life for He always knows best. This story is the epitome of true trust and submission to God which hundreds of Muslims try to live by. So as we go about our daily lives, there will be times when we don’t want to give things up because it may seem difficult. There will be times when the future will scare us and so we cling to the past. By learning to submit to God in all circumstances of our lives, we learn that in the end, God is the best of planners. If what’s ahead scares you, just remember Allah(swt), the Most High, and go forth in your path with confidence. Give up the worldly desires and submit to God alone, the One who gave you life and continues to help you live.