I received a message from someone looking for an English translation of Zahvalnost by Hor Kewser. It had been awhile since I’d translated anything, and it was nice to get back into it!
The newest term of Seekers Guidance is underway. Registration is still open, but probably not for long, so register now! Remember that you (courses are open to anyone, not only Muslims) can take up to three courses for free and you can ask the teacher as many questions as you want! I am taking this course; it is really good so far:
The Bible Through a Muslim Lens
Instructor(s): Ustadh Ali Ataie Course Format: 12 downloadable sessions, 3 live sessions Starts On: January 6th, 2014 Length: 1 term(s) – 12 weeks Course ID: GEN165 Department: Guidance
Summary
This course will introduce students to the four gospels found in the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) and provide them with new insights and a more nuanced understanding of who Jesus (peace be upon him) was for the objective of calling others to the truth of Islam.
This course is offered in HD video format, taught by Ustadh Ali Ataie.
There’s lots of stuff I need to do to the blog. I also want to add more links but am having trouble with the widgets and all. As for us, we are fine here. Mini-Chef is 13 months now, and I’ve recently finished a couple articles.
It’s a collection of talks by Cambridge professor Tim Winter, a.k.a. Shaykh Abdul-Hakim Murad. There are A LOT of nice talks on there, but for now I’ll just link two that answer a few frequently-asked questions about the similarities and differences between Christianity and Islam.
It has been reported that a prominent Christian leader, Pat Robertson, has said that Haiti has been “cursed” by a “pact with the devil.” Fortunately, this is not the mainstream Christian position and my friend, the Reverend Paul Raushenbush, has rejected Robertson’s “blaming the victims” theology. Religious leaders must take a stance against extremist voices in their community, and I am glad to see Rev. Raushenbush respond to Robertson’s ridiculous and offensive suggestions.
As Muslims, we believe that human suffering is not always explainable or understandable. We do know that innocent people suffer all the time, from sickness and natural disaster, and that in such cases, we are required to do two things: First, pray and remember, as the Qur’an says that “to God we belong and to Him we return.” Second, we must help those who are suffering. The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, reported in a Sacred Hadith that if we want to be close to God, we should visit the sick and feed the needy. On the Day of Resurrection, Allah will say, “O son of Adam, I fell ill and you did not visit me.” The person will say, “O Lord, how could I visit you when You are the Lord of the worlds?” He will say, “Did you not know that So-and-so fell ill and you did not visit him? If you had visited him, you would have found Me with him [the hadith continues].”
We realize from this hadith that the path to closeness with God is, after worship, service to humanity. Perhaps the most needy collectivity of people in the world today are the Haitians after enduring this terrible earthquake. Helping the Haitians in this time of need is certainly a sign of religious sincerity.
Kewser is a Bosnian organization focused on educating women and children. Hor Kewser (hor means choir) has produced a CD and DVD and also tours within and outside Bosnia and Hercegovina (BiH). You can read all about them on the English section of their website; they sponsor a lot of cultural and spiritual events, especially to honor Fatima, the daughter of the Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him). They have published a magazine called Zehra for eight years, for women and families. Here is the video of their song “San” (A dream), followed by the Bosnian text and English translation.
San
U pećini Hira
Ugledah Muhammeda,
U snu mi se ukaza
Obris lika njegova,
A ja žedna krenula
Do vode sa Izvora
Kad me svjetlost okupa
Od meleka silnoga.
Hatidža sva zablista
U nastavku moga sna
Ona čvrsto zagrli
Voljenoga Ahmeda.
Izgubih se i ja sva
U ljepoti Kur’ana
Ikre bismi Rabbike
Uđe u moje srce.
Sallallah ala Muhammed
Sallallah alejke Ahmed
Tu sam, blago prošapta
Ljubav našeg Resula,
Istina je zasjala
Pomoću ti Mustafa,
Sve što imam dajem ja
Od imanja svojega
Moja duša bliska je
Tvojoj duši Ahmede.
Sa uzdahom pogledah
S bolom dun’ja ugledah
San k’o privid iščeze
Ali želja ostade.
Budi ukras mog ahlaka
Ja Mustafa, Ja Nazif
S tvojih vrata dozivam te
Šefaat podari mi.
Sallallah ala Muhammed
Sallallah alejke Ahmed
Dream
In the cave of Hira
I saw Muhammed
In the dream he appeared,
The silhouette of his countenance
And I, thirsty, gravitated
Toward water from the Source
When I was bathed in the light
Of the glorious angel
Khadija fully glowed
As my dream continued
She tightly hugged
Her beloved Muhammed
And I also was completely absorbed
In the beauty of the Kur’an
“Read in the Name of Your Lord”
Entered my heart.
Sallallah ala Muhammed
Sallallah alejke Ahmed
“I am here,” softly whispered
The beloved of our Messenger
The truth was illuminated
“For your assistance Mustafa
All that I have I give
Of my possessions
My soul is next to
Yours, O Ahmed”
With a sigh I opened my eyes
With grief I saw the world
The dream like a shadow disappeared
But the joy remained
Be the adornment of my character
Ja Mustafa, Ja Nazif
At your door I call you
Grant me assistance.
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