I just wanted to share some song lyrics I like.

No Regrets
by Aesop Rock

Lucy was 7 and wore a head of blue barettes
City born, into this world with no knowledge and no regrets
Had a piece of yellow chalk with which she'd draw upon the street
The many faces of the various locals that she would meet
There was joshua, age 10
Bully of the block
Who always took her milk money at the morning bus stop
There was Mrs. Crabtree, and her poodle
She always gave a wave and holler on her weekly trip down to the bingo
parlor
And she drew
Men, women, kids, sunsets, clouds
And she drew
Skyscrapers, fruit stands, cities, towns
Always said hello to passers-by
They'd ask her why she passed her time
Attachin lines to concrete
But she would only smile

Interesting blog post by my South African friend. Please note, this is not abut if meat is 'halal' for us, it quite clearly is, but whether it is ethical to eat meat NOW, when the world has changed a lot since 1400 years ago. PLEASE read fully before commenting.

Why I’m a vegetarian
by Bilal Randeree

I don’t believe that animals should not be killed for human consumption. In fact, I think that God has most definitely provided certain animals for man — some to assist us in our daily tasks and others to provide us with the nutrients and proteins (isn’t that what meat supplies?!) that eating meat provides.

Beijing Olympics Swimming Pool Special:

[IMG]http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/2803/chineseswimmmingpoolvy9.jpg[/IMG]

Interesting, scholarly article. Read it if you have time.

UNDERSTANDING THE FOUR MADHHABS

the problem with anti-madhhabism

© Abdal-Hakim Murad

The ummah's greatest achievement over the past millennium has undoubtedly been its internal intellectual cohesion. From the fifth century of the Hijra almost to the present day, and despite the outward drama of the clash of dynasties, the Sunni Muslims have maintained an almost unfailing attitude of religious respect and brotherhood among themselves. It is a striking fact that virtually no religious wars, riots or persecutions divided them during this extended period, so difficult in other ways.

Making the Qur’an the Spring of Our Hearts

Hamza Yusuf

There was once a Lion who came across three bulls: a red bull, a white bull and a black bull. The Lion tried to attack them but because they were strong together he decided to bide his time. He befriended the bulls and told them he was protecting them.

One day he called the Red Bull and the Black Bull and said ”My friends I am really concerned for you.”
“Why?” they asked. The Lion responded “The White Bull represents a threat to you; he stands out with his complexion and he is going to make you a target for other predators and hunters; the lives of both of you at risk, let me eliminate him.”

I love spring. It is a wonder to behold Allah's Creation coming to life again. I remember before I had converted, but was reading about and contemplating Islam, it was spring time. I sat in the park next to my work and watched the pigeons chasing each other in circles. This was one of the things that convinced me of God, and that all of creation has not occurred by some random accident.

I came across this wonderful story.

First, let me just clarify, I am a cynic. I take everything with a pinch of [i]NaCl[/i]. Except chips. I take them with more than just a pinch, and never ketchup. But I digress...

I have always thought of 9/11 conspiracy theories as absolute rubbish. Little more than wishful thinking by Muslims who fail to accept the fact that it was Muslims who were responsible for killing thousands of innocent people. That is until I saw this:

[url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5pz1ZW59Ys]Zeitgeist - 9/11 part 1[/url]
[url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBcA6oXoTvU]Zeitgeist - 9/11 part 2[/url]