Sleep

Creation is composed of vast spaces,spaces containing all manner of matter - planets; moons; stars;comets; and so on.They all travel through time and space, run their appointed courses - and then draw near to the end of their life-span, as designated and as ordained.They finally come to rest - they fall asleep. Some may evolve into other matter, after their rest is complete - others remain at sleep, permanently.

Sleep is a kind of interlude from activity,everything is in motion, moving from one stage to the next, from one state to the next, from one action to the next. All things and all beings need respite, they require rest from their constant activity. Since everything has been assigned a definite task, a function accorded to it, in order to properly and correctly fufill this function, everything must stop or pause. This temporary break from motion and action is necessary and without it, everything would break up or spin out of control.

Sleep is a beautiful way of moving through time.Time not only moves everything forward, but also permits everything to pass through it. As the sleeping take rest, creation continues on upon its long journey through light. Creatures sleep, some through the day, some through the night. The earth sleeps, seasons arriving and departing - bringing with them life in the form of rains, so that sleeping winter gives way to arising spring,and spring giving way to awaking summer - and summer leaving to give way to drowsy autumn - autumn finally fading to cause winter to return.

Mankind sleeps a great deal. Without sleep - or rest - Man behaves as if he is drunk. He is incapable of prolonged activity, actions tire and exhaust and even weaken him. His life is so intense, and he lives at such a high level of mental and physical consciousness, that any deprivation of sleep causes him to suffer a complete collapse. Man is also endowed with the ability to dream whilst asleep.Sleeping is life being withdrawn, some may never return to their earthly existence - others return, awake from their sleep,and are permitted to continue on for a short while. As Man falls asleep,he moves from one state of being into another. Life is in transition during sleep. Dreaming is another aspect of being and reality. Man may see himself in places he has never seen, or visited, or imagined. He may meet people he has never met or known or seen. He may be with those he loves - or those he hates. He may find himself saying something extraordinary,or doing something awesome. He may see himself committing good deeds or evil deeds.Whatever his sub-conscious wishes to convey to him, it reveals itself through his dreams.

There are also those dreams that are granted to some - dreams that are destined to come true.These are messages - dreams being the means by which they are delivered. Dreams that come true foretell a Day when all sleeping and dreaming shall cease,and when all of reality shall be revealed in its entirety,the veil of appearance being sharply torn away forever.

Sleeping reminds Man of his demise, and his waking up from sleep reminds him of his resurrection. Living is partial reality, a truth that is manifestly concealed beneath layers and layers of light. Sleeping can be similarly described, it too is partial reality, concealing the rest of creation from veiw, from thought. Upon awakening, a new reality steps forward. Upon resurrection, truth steps forward, and speaks.

Everything rests, and then returns. Until such a time arrives when all shall return to their true abode. Sometimes the sleeping give the impression that they are dead. Like a tree whose leaves have fallen upon the changing of the seasons. It seems as if the tree will forever be in that state of undress,or distress. And then, the seasons bring new life to it, new leaves. All of the earth's inhabitants - plant or animal - take rest. Gazing at the quiet gardens, empty of flower and scent, it seems as if they will never bloom again, as if the garden will remain forever in that barren state. And then, the seasons bring glad news,and flowers and their heavenly scent gladden the eye and heart once more.

All things sleep, therefore. And all things awake, eventually. Life is moving inexorably on to its final destination. Some believe Man cannot return to his original state,once he is dead he is dead, impossible that he could be resurrected. But all of creation and the earth belie that suggestion or that belief, or that denial. Everything revolves and returns, everything dies and then new life is regenerated through the old. Everything sleeps,and then wakes up.

Sleep speaks to us, sometimes quietly and sometimes loudly. Its languages are many - sleep is a peaceful break between living and dying. Sleep is dying as we live. All actions, intentions, thoughts,ideas, hopes,wishes, desires,cease. Sleep takes over,and transports us from doing to simply being. Sleeping and waking - living and dying. Waking and sleeping - leaving our physical bodies and becoming the spiritual beings that we really are. Sleeping - life lived through a different kind of vision, seeing with one's eyes closed. Waking - life resurrected through the element of water (water being the means by which all of life is resurrected or recreated) - this time seeing that which we were unable to see as we lived, or as we slept. None can see as they sleep, vision is redefined and reshaped, seeing is transformed into insight. None can truly see as they awake, vision is focused and concentrated, limited to space and time.

Sleep is formed as a measure to allow us to reflect, to contemplate life as it is - as it is intended to be. Life becomes weary and seeks the solace that sleep provides. Everything is sleeping,and then waking up. Everyone is escaping into sleep,and reluctantly arising to confront new happenings. Sleep affords rest from worry and anxiety - sleep is dreaming of waking up to beauty and purity and nobility and truth. One day it shall.

© Jadz Deen 2009

Imagination

In my endless imaginings..."i" cease to be....and become...

a particle of dust..

the dawn of a new day..

the warmth of the sun..

the song of a bird..

the flutter of a butterfly..

the scent of a flower..

the blue of the sky..

the green of the grass..

the sigh of a breeze..

the dark of the night..

the sparkle of a star..

the shine of the moon..

a drop in the ocean..

the peak of a mountain..

a fraction of space..

a minute in time..

a thought in the mind..

a beat of the heart..

the breath of existence..

the light and love of your life..

© Jadz Deen 2009

The Prize Giving

The ceremony was in full flow, progressing most excellently. All who had gathered were most beautifully attired. They smiled at one another, happy to be amongst such a rare gathering of greats. "And the Trophy for best perfume is awarded to Rose, for exuding the most delightful scent." Announced the Host.

There was hearty applause, the birds broke into an impromptu song, the bees buzzed with pleasure, and the butterflies flew nearby. Rose looked startled and embarrassed. She rose elegantly to the ocassion and delivered the following speech :

"I am profoundly honoured, and not a little taken aback, to be the recipient of this prestigious award. Everyone in this category deserves a prize, of that there is no doubt."

The audience happily concurred, and clapped loudly. Rose continued :

"May I take this opportunity to thank all those responsible for making this moment possible", and she then proceeded to unroll a list as long as the day. "Many thanks to Nature who produced and directed me; thanks to the Sun for the illumination and enlightenment; thanks to the clouds who brought forth the rains; thanks especially to the Earth, our abode; thanks to ..."

The speech continued on through the night, for Rose was loath to exclude any of those worthies who had so generously contributed to her success. The following morning, the Oldest-Known Tree was presented with a special honour for its long years of service to All. It stood tall and dignified, whilst it accepted its award, and gave a short talk:

"Whilst I am indeed deeply honoured to be presented with this prize, I cannot but feel real sadness at the thought of all those of my brethren so cruelly cut down in the prime of their lives", the Tree wiped away a tear, as its branches trembled with emotion.

After a brief moment, during which the Tree sought to collect itself, it proceeded:

"Shelter, shade, and sustenance, has been utterly destroyed by the iniquitious oings of Mankind. A contradiction, my dears! For there is nothing kind about this wretched creature! May I be permitted to offer an alternative title for this species that arrogantly proclaims its humanity, yet thus far has exhibited little of it?"

Cheers of support and encouragement from the audience prompted a sorrowful smile upon the aged countenance of the Tree.

"Let us, my friends, take the human out of humanity, and replace it with insane, and therefore give to this ignorant ass stalking our Realm the label he deserves, The Insane Race or Insanity!"

There was much laughter in evidence, though many oceans of tears were also shed. The Oldest-Known Tree retired, noble as ever.

The Award Ceremony continued on. Many categories of Flora and Fauna recieved recognition for their valuable work in enabling Nature to be what it is. Also mentioned in glowing terms, though not physically present, for obvious reasons, were the Mountains, who saw to it that the Earth did not sway by maintaining its balance, the deserts, valleys, seas, and so on. They were rewarded also for their outstanding beauty, and for providing the Heavens with a most tremendous view. Special awards were presented to hurricanes, monsoons, earthquakes, volcanoes, typhoons, thunderstorms, and the rest. They were given accolades for their awesome special effects, though often these effects were devastating, they gave to Nature the tools required to keep everything determined in accordance well-defined.

The Day and Night, the Moon and Stars, and all of Creations' very important personages, were among those present at the ceremony, they too recieved grateful mention, and generous rewards. Thus ended another memorable Prize-Giving ceremony for the real stars of the Universe.

© Jadz Deen 2009

The Purpose Of Knowledge

The universe is founded upon the All-Encompassing Knowledge of its Creator, HIS Masterpiece Reveals HIS Word, Will and Way. All that has been created and is unceasingly coming into being occurs in accordance with an inner Truth, please see 3:191; 10:5; 38:27.

The function of knowledge, therefore, is five-fold:
a) It informs Man that there is One Creator, Whose Creativity/Activity is constant;
b) it reveals the existence of things;
c) it conveys their true nature;
d) it supplies evidence of a Realm beyond that which is seen;
e) it thus manifests the essential unity underpinning creation.

In the Verses of Al-Qur'an relating to the creation of the first human being, Adam (pbuh), Allah SWT informs us of the dialogue that ensued between HIM and HIS Angels - whether allegorical or literal, HE Knows Best. During the course of this Conversation, the Angels wish to ask of their Sustainer why HE Willed to create one who would subsequently become a "spreader of corruption and a shedder of blood"

These passages Reveal that the Angels have a degree of knowledge and foreknowledge. Allah SWT utters HIS Word "BE!" and Adam enters into HIS Presence, thereupon he is Taught the "names of all things" HE Commands the Angels to "name" those things, which they are unable to do, expressing their fear and confessing that they only possess the knowledge granted to them by HIM and nothing other than that. Adam, Guided and Inspired by HIS Creator and in the Company of the Heavenly Hosts, conveys that which he has learned. Please see 2:30-37; 16:40

Thus, the Angels have been granted knowledge which enables them to perform their duties, fulfilling the purpose for which they were created, and Man has been endowed with the ability to acquire knowledge which permits him to live according to the manner in which his Reason interprets it, so fulfilling the purpose for which he was created. They hold limited cognition of each other's existence, but only Allah SWT is the Owner of all categories of knowledge.

Adam and Hawa's fall from Grace exhibits a recurring tendency on the part of humankind, which is to forget, discard, or reject knowledge beneficial to its well-being. For those who acknowledge the Existence and Presence of The Creator, they are informed of HIS Gracious, Merciful, Forgiving and Forbearing Nature through the Revelation of HIS having Accepted Adam's repentance and thereafter Promised to Guide him and his offspring. At the same time, Man is made aware of his inherent weaknesses by making manifest the opposing forces working within and outside of him.These opposites that when brought into balance cause serenity and harmony leading to peace, and when in conflict bring about chaos and catastrophe.

The purpose for which invisible beings and men were granted life is to worship The Ever-Living, Supreme Being. This relationship of Creator and created is the basis for all interaction and communication between both HIM and sentient beings. Seeking knowledge of The Maintainer of the Universe is, therefore, an imperative, for worship that rests upon ignorance necessarily implies a lack of awareness for the inner reason of it. In that sense, worship is actually a manifestation and comprehension of the Truth. Please see 51:56

The Lord Of The Worlds Conveys to humankind its common origins through the merging of the male and female. In addition, HE States that HE created peoples of diverse races so that they may come to know each other. When human beings belonging to different nations and tribes arrive at the realization of their similarities, they attain a greater sense of understanding and appreciation of each person's dignity. The Loving One Stresses that these differences exist by HIS Will and Design, and so that Man may be tested by means of them - whereas in HIS Sight the noblest from amongst people are those who are "most conscious of HIM" Please see 49:13; 30:22

The Guide To The Right Path Utters the imperative "Read!" - and informs Man that it is HE WHO Taught him by means of the pen that which he did not know. Thus, revealing the importance of seeking, acquiring knowledge as well as of recording it. Present and later generations inherit this legacy and gain benefits by its application. Further, they follow the example of their predeccessors by adding to this collective pool - creating oceans of knowledge in which the waters revive, refresh and sustain every living thing. For, the knowledge of Man inspires in him a love for/respect of all existing things, creating in him a profound desire to preserve and guard the beauties of his environment as well as its innocent inhabitants. All of this leads him to gain a wisdom that he could not otherwise have attained. Please see 96:1-5

Noah (pbuh) makes his invocation to Allah SWT regarding his son, wherein HE admonishes his Noble Messenger - "you shall not ask of ME anything of which you cannot have any knowledge..." This narrative informs Man that whilst the Prophets (pbut) have been granted the most comprehensive knowledge regarding the Realms of the Seen and Unseen, it is nevertheless finite. To continue and expand upon this theme, Al-Qur'an takes the reader upon a journey of discovery with Musa (pbuh) Embarking upon this Path with the Wise Sage reveals to Musa the fundamental differences between appearance and reality. Only those extremely close to Allah SWT are granted a degree of insight into this difference. In addition, Yusuf's (pbuh) experiences make evident the fact that The Most Wise employs both the waking and sleeping states in order to send Messages by means of dreams and visions, which make manifest hidden knowledge of the past, present or future. In this manner, those phases and stages of Man that appear far distant and silent in fact speak and express themselves when required to do so. Please see 11:45-48; 18:60-82; 12:4-5, 36-41, 43-50; 48:27

Thus, the acquisition and sharing of knowledge is an imperative for human beings. Also, a humble acknowledgement that the categories of knowledge open to Man are not as great as may at first sight appear. The Provision of knowledge is a form of spiritual/intellectual Sustenance, it enables Man to ascend above the mere physical aspect of his life, causing him to submit to the Truth about his nature, origins and ultimate destination.

© Jadz Deen 2009

I Am Hell

What is hell ? Where is hell ? I, and I alone am hell. And hell is in none but me. There is no description to describe hell, neither imagination nor perception are able to encompass hell and all it's horrors. It is a state and a place devoid of being, empty of light. When all hope is gone and when brittle life is withdrawn, hell welcomes the unwelcome.

Despair knows no boundaries, here even the dark trembles in fear. Hell is the disease of every corrupted heart, it's likeness is of a vastly expanding black hole - where the sensation of falling never ceases, and the desire for an ending is never realised.

Death gives life to every form of suffering, terror lives alongside torment, and pain becomes a hideous, permanant companion. Death is created, recreated for the creatures who inhabit this barren landscape - they are the wretched ones who believed not that they would ever be called to account, the hapless sinners who prepared not for death in that realm now lost to them forever.

Hell is a world where the living are denied life, and the dead of heart denied death. Hell enfolds all within it's spaces like a garment aflame - the fires ascending and descending in billowing waves. Screams and cries of anguish are the only language spoken here, yet there is none to respond, for there are none who care. This is a place from which there is no escape, nor any relief or respite.

I sought that which brought me no benefit and I strived for that which ultimately rejected me. I sought the world and tried to possess it, I strived for it with all my might. Every ability and quality with which I was endowed, was employed for the purposes of bringing the world and it's allurements within my grasp. But the world is elusive, it cannot be constrained nor contained within the compass of one's desires. It's seductive appearance belies a terrible reality - all who seek it are
destined to perish.

I lived to feed the vanity that existed in me, no praise was high enough or good enough for me, but that I must needs demand more and more. I never tired of being told how clever I was, nor was I ever satisfied when others praised my beauty - I believed I was a great deal better than the fools who followed me about with their empty words and their shallow thoughts.

I indulged in every fantasy of the mind, and descended to the very depths of depravity - there was no act or thought or word that was too despicable for me. I gloried in the performance of deeds that others dared not even dream of. The purpose of my life was to commit evil, for I did not believe in the existence of good.

As I journeyed through the world, I encountered many people and many things. I exploited everyone and everything, whosever, whatsoever had the misfortune to enter into my domain found themselves used. When they no longer served any useful purpose, they were discarded, I unceremoniously and callously removed them from my presence. I was first and last, my needs were paramount, and were fed by my deeds. Life was only about taking, grabbing, cheating, stealing, decieving, I had never entertained the thought of giving. I was the centre, everyone and everything revolved around me, so I had convinced myself.

A person of Faith walked into my life, and walked out again greatly disillusioned. His love for me compelled him to attempt the impossible, he tried to make me believe in the unbelievable. Was I so stupid as to believe in a God of creation ? I was being asked to consider all manner of strange things. I was even urged to change, otherwise I would incur the Wrath of this mythical God and thus recieve HIS punishment. Me, change ? How ridiculous ! Why would I want to change ? I saw no need to mend my ways, I certainly did not require any changes to my personality and character. After all , was I not perfect ? Was I not complete as a human being ? Was I not self-sufficient ? I needed no " God " to enlighten or enliven me. I was all I wanted to be, and even more than that. I was accused of arrogantly and quite deliberately turning away from the truth. I laughed, so far as I was concerned, the only truth that mattered or counted was my truth. I was too important to believe in anything outside of my ownself. If any god existed, it did so in the fulfillment of my desires. My desires were my gods, their worship and attainment was my life's work.

A day dawned that was destined to be my last. Rage consumed me, how could I die? Life was mine, who dare snatch it from me ? Then, I found myself facing a stranger, whose appearance and stench were so repulsive and disgusting as to cause me to turn aside. I made to move, but was prevented from doing so. I heard a voice commanding me to look and look again at the creature confronting me. I could not but acquiesce, because my eyes refused to be shielded from the horrific sight. I gazed at the thing before me, and it spoke. It said my name repeatedly - and, "I am you! I am you! I am you!". I cried out in anguish, " No, no, no, no, no, no....! " I was perfect in my beauty, and beautiful in my perfection. I rejected the possibility that this monster claiming to be me, could be.

Suddenly, my skin tore itself away from me, and I collapsed in absolute pain. It stood before me, and accused me of despoiling it. One by one my senses emerged, they pointed at me, and declared that I had knowingly and willingly corrupted them. My reason stepped forward, and stated that I had never employed it to achieve good, but that I had always engaged it in evil designs - or that I had ignored and abandoned it whenever it sought to make me see reason. Everything that I believed to be mine, left me and bore witness against me. I saw my entire being disintegrate and shatter, I
experienced supreme pain, such as I had never imagined existed. My outward appearance gave way to the reality in me, I was not as I had always believed myself to be. Instead, I was this mutilated, disfigured, hateful creature, ugly beyond comprehension. I saw my soul weep, and I knew then the meaning of grief. In life I had been a spiritual vandal, and I saw before me the terrible consequences of that vandalism.

Time became immaterial. Here time told a tale of wasted lives. And the time that I had spent whilst alive - and how brief it seemed now - presented itself to me. I stared in terror as each and every one of my deeds were exhibited to me. These endevours, that had so greatly occupied me during my wretched lifetime, took on shape and form - they assumed a life of their own. The evil that I did, and had been so proud of, now disowned me - even as every part of me rejected me. But even though that evil dismissed me as the contemptible thing I was, it alone remained - and I saw myself take on it's aspect. Henceforth, evil and I would be inseparable, we were one, as we had been in life.

I felt myself being dragged, face down, upon surfaces that were so hot, they caused me to melt. I was created and recreated only in order that I may experience this excrutiating pain. For each of my sinful acts, a new form of punishment had been devised. Every grade of sin met with it's own particular punishment. I had committed virtually every sin known to pathetic Man, in consequence therefore, I was to be the unhappy recipient of every degree of punishment. Here pain was limitless, it was unceasing, unrelenting - it was the only living thing present.

I found myself deprived of my senses, I was deaf and dumb and blind - as I had been throughout my life. They had not, nor had anyone or anything, belonged to me. I became a being without true identity, an anonymous creature, without freind or foe. Since I had rejected the Truth, and mocked at it, the Truth now rejected me, I stood condemned in It's Majestic Court. I realised at last that creation had not been an outcome of a series of fortuitious accidents or coincidents, and I was made painfully aware that I had not been created in vain, or without meaning and purpose. I had rendered myself meaningless and useless. Now the only reason for my existence was to suffer the consequences of my intended actions. The time for repentance and remorse had long since passed away, no hope of return to make amends.

I never knew heaven and hell existed in me, and that I had a choice as to my ultimate destination. My actions decided my destiny, my permanant abode composed of the misery of profound regret, and the grief of everlasting despair. I was falling through the regions of my diseased heart, a bottomless stinking pit, no light nor life - just the darkness of an undying death. The place of hell and the person in hell merged, this is hell, my sustenance is hell, my companion is hell - I am hell, and hell forever abides in me.

© Jadz Deen 2009