Power

The sociological definition of power is having the ability or capability to impose your will on others. It is related to the exercising of control. Max Weber defines power as being the "opportunity existing within a social [relationship] which permits one to carry out one's own will even against resistance and regardless of the basis on which this opportunity rests."

Power can be physical and it could be mental, you could have the power to physically enforce a certain thing to occur, you could just the same change a persons mind or thinking through "power" or "having the power to do that". Power can be of different types, one could have persuasion power, thinking power, physical power, social class power (depending on how aristocratic you are by example) that could also come under financial power, skill power there is also authority power , power that is obtained through the personality you are.

Power has also been seen to be an important attribute to religious affairs, in terms of leadership. Many religions have introduced this theory of "the powerful one being the knowledgeable one" gains leadership. We see in history that various "religious" leaders obtained the power to lead solely because they had the "power" in the first place. They were either rich, or famous perhaps. This then poses as a question, as to how a "religious" leader can actually in anyway be linked to a materialistic issue, one of money in example.

Defining Religion

Religion has been defined in many ways. While some regard religion to be related to a beleif in God or Gods and how they worship their Gods, others define religion to be a particular system invoking particular moral codes and practices that relate to beleifs. My personal definition on Religion would be that it is an abode for a particular belief or set of beliefs in some cases, related to understanding of cosmic being in relation to the universe system as a whole.

There are occasionally laws to a belief and conditions that should be undertaken before embracing that particular religion, whether by means of purification (being baptised by example) or by stating a decleration (in example, the "shahada" in islam, where one must submitt to a certain will, beleif in god and his messengers). However, with all that in consideration, is one to have a particular value or worth before others, in order to be accepted?

Sometimes religion is not only about agreeing to a certain agenda set by a group of people, or about following what your fathers beleived in, or beleiving (or claiming to beleive) in something for the sake of being accepted, in order to be "normal". Religion is sometimes seen as a spiritual driver towards something that can bring you closer to your creator, something that helps you understand why you are the created and why this came to be.

Those who refuse or fail to come to terms with the great force behind this, have not found a convincing enough arguement to drive people away from their beleifs. So an important question here would be.. what is the reason behind this? Why do people seek a means to understand how they come to be? Curiosity as a part of ones innate features? why a particular method of worship? why the dedication?

It seems that humans have always throughout the generations found the need to have a beleif n a creator in order to satisfy themselves as to their presence, and in order to resolve the plucking curiosity humans have. The type of belief has come in different forms and measures, however the reason for those beliefs have obviously risen for the same reasons. The world being so phenomenal, and complicated in its way. When one looks around him an inevitable feling comes over him, in which he is overwhelmed by his surroundings, unable to grasp its complexity. This feeling allows humans to realise that there must be such a great force or power to bring about such an intricate system of life.

This is where man looks to what he sees to be his creator and provider who brought him into being. The belief in a creator does not however mean that one who does not have faith in god does not have a religion. We have to understand that there are certain values, moral and ethical ones which mankind agrees on, these agreed upon rules can still bring us closer to each other. The religion of Islam beleives that if one is not a brother in faith then he is a brother in mankind.

Advice for Women by Ameer Almumineen

In regards to men Women are adviced to:

1.Have pride
2.To be Stingy
3.To be fearful

Imam Ali (as) has said: If a woman has pride, she can not be touched, If she is Stingy she can safe guard her husbands wealth and if she is fearful she will not accept everything that comes her way.

Before People begin to object. Here is the explanation.

A woman who is proud can protect herself, by being inapproachable in the sense that guys are to fearful to come near her as her rection is unexpected. This pride does not necessarily mean she is displaying bad moral standards in a way, she is merely protecting herself, we have to note that this is only in regards to males, not females (unless they are attracted to the same sex, in which case it would probably be very advisable).

Stinginess we have to understand is in terms of not wasting purposely with no ends. Women often tend to buy unnecessary objects, which they dont end up using, the money wasted on such products could actually be put into efficient use, A woman can actually help her husband financially and allow him to prosper if she cut back these inappropriate expenditures. This stinginess should not be confused with that where people do not offer to people.. No one is saying in order to save money you should starve your guests or anything!!! One should know when to be stingy and when not to.

A woman who is fearful can protect herself, in the sense that she does not accpet everything that is put forward to her. She will not commit a sin because she is fearing. This fear does not mean that she is not to stand up for her rights, or to protect her children if they were ever attacked. No. Not that kind of fear. A fear from getting involved in wrong acts is the fear we are speaking of.

Wa Salaam

Manners.. Part 2

The manners a person owns reflects their personality, at the same time the actions of a person are built upon the manners which they own. People are judges as to what type of person you are, how mannered you are. The way you treat others, reflects your own self to them, and from the treatment they get a judgement is made about you.

Imam Al-Sadiq (as) has said: If you have been given the opportunity to live for 2 days you should build your manners on the first day and use it for the next day.

If we are to fully comprehend the statement above, we learn that manners are above all the most crucial aspect of ones life in terms of how they live it. Our manners are processed through our communication and interaction with people, if we possess the correct form of attribute needed for interaction (good manners) then we can by practicing these manners achieve a great deal in life, one example would be to draw people closer to your group of faith.

The Holy Prophet (pbuh) has famously said: "Inama Bu'thtu li utamima makarim al-akhlaq", I was sent down by Allah to demonstrate the importance of akhlaq (moral standards). He has further said: "Good manners are your best friend and the title of your next day are those manners"

People are often known as to how well mannered they are, they are seen as either beautiful or revolting through these same manners. We often see models for example who look absolutely stunning, yet the minute that we begin to interact with them we may realise that they are rather shallow minded, rude, conceited a demonstration of "bad manners" that same person then drops in our eyes, because they begin to appear like a monster. The title people address you with is again dependant on your moral standards.

You may begin to question as to what exactly these Moral standards are, and as to what the benefits are of these good manners are. Well a short answer to this would be that Moral standards are the measurement of how we display morality, how we present ourselves in terms of moral actions which we partake with other mortals. There are many benefits of Good moral conduct in both worlds, in this world and in the hereafter. God looks at this world before the enxt, thus our deeds are important in both worlds. In order to improve the status of your life, you should practice good moral stnadards today before tommorow.

Imam Al-Sadiq (as) says: Whoever worsens himself, tortures himself.

One can not attain peace and harmony with loved ones, with family and friends if one does not act upon the regulations of good manners. You end up destroying yourself.

A person came to Imam Al-Ridha (as) and said to him, I have a daughter, a man approached me for her, he is a good man but lacks manners. The Imam said Dont give him your daughter.

Owning good manners provides compatability with other human beings as they respect decency, often pursued by good manners. In order for one to suceed in his life, one must gain the respect of other people and in return that respect should be given back to mark ones position in society.

Imam Al-Sadiq (as) has said: Good Akhlaq can increase your wealth/ earnings.

Good manners are therefore part of faith, they increase the means of your living, making life better as retold by our Imam.

Imam Al-Sadiq has also said: Good behaviour melts bad deeds like the sun melts the ice.

The prophet (pbuh) has also said: Good manners are half of faith. The other half is marriage.
He has also said: If you have good manners in this life you will be my neighbour in heaven. In addition to that: The one closer to me tommorow is the one with best manners and the one closest to the people.

Imam Al-Sadiq (as): Bad manners corrupt faith similar to how Vinegar corrupts Honey.

The prophet (pbuh): Have good manners for if you do you go to heaven no doubt, if you dont then you go to hell no doubt.

Having the power of performing an action easily and regularly as that action becomes a habit, is needed to be repeated, for example making yourself to be the one to commence greetings. saying "salam" or sending peace to your friend.

An action that becomes a habit is known as "khalq" in arabic, this reffers to manners, and that is where the word "akhlaq" comes from, meaning to be acquained with manners of such.

Good manners should be approached often until they become a habit. This then simplifies our moral conduct with people. Inappropriate moral conduct however can also become habitual, causing problems, as one begins to express themselves in ways which are not acceptable without realisation.

In a Hadith by Imam Al-Sadiq he lists 10 things which are seen to be of high moral standards they are:

1. Honesty with ones self
2.Honesty with people
3.Paying people back, returnign their favours
4.Remaining in contact with friends and relatives
5.Respecting guests
6.Helping the needy (giving chairty)
7.Rewarding workers
8.Being good towards your neighbour
9.Politeness to friends
10.Modesty, Shame

Salaam for now.

The Bedouin

Susan's Art

"ride of a lifetime"

"join the butterflies"

"light creation"

"Heritage"

"Cloud games"

"Baroque"

"Good dream"

"Revival"

Tony Carlton's Paintings

"Dreams of the Goddess"

"Ancient voice of wisdom"

"Spirit of the wind"

"Stillness of the heart"

Forceful Hate

Forceful hate..This is something i feel many people experience through different stages in their life. Some may ask.. What is it? I would define forceful hate as a feeling of hate with which one forces on to him/herself to have towards another being. This can often be driven for numerous reasons, at times when one experiences a feeling of disappointment or betrayl, they begin to feel lost and down. Here i am speaking of the feelings one would have towards a person they previosuly cherished. Many people who are let down by a person they loved truly begin to feel the need to dislike or hate that person, this is where love is questionable yet again. Could a person who loves someone hate them? Should one not forgive those whom they love? If one begins to hate those he previously loved because of one crime or sin, then does that mean they ever loved that person?

As well as the definition of hate being an emotion of great dislike, enmity and revulsion it is also one of a desire to get rid of that object, to remove it and anhilate it. It is this second part of the definition that should be looked into. The question that now lies is this: Does the hate come from the need and want of removal of that object, or is hate the need or want to express hatred towards that object. For some it could be absolutely the same thing, however if you looked into this deeper you would actually realise that when you are in love or if you were in love it could mean something totally different.

I beleive that if your feelings are ever so true about a person or thing, then there would never be a feeling of hate or resentment for that person, no matter how much they let you down, however its a matter of whether strong enough love like that exists or not. We often read of these excellent love stories in novels, yet ive failed to see any exist in reality.

Flying back from death as a bird.

I flew to the window, so high, it seemed to be
The wind rattling the shutters quite so suddenly
I sat on the sill, for a while before perching on a tree
I waited for some sound, hiding so noone could see
Nobody was in my old room, it was left so empty
I looked around slowly to stare at old pictures of me
I was dead now for a few years, just two or maybe three
Missing my loved ones, I say Ive come back for thee
It is released from my lips like a croack not a speech
I remember now, im no longer mortal, a bird im made to be
This chance I took, so my beloved i could see
I get this one last chance to on look those whom with i used to be
Yet in the empty silence, I wish to fly and flee
I fly to another window, this time to the room serving tea
My loved ones sit around, some on the table some on the settee
I call out to them but no one hears my cries, not one, nobody
Have they forgotten me? How come? Im here dont you see
I was your mother, your daughter and your wife, yes me
But how could you forget, who i used to be
You laugh and live, like i was never ever there ,no we?no me?
It saddens my heart, You have all moved on, no one cares about me
Im alone in my grave for hours on end, waiting for a visit from all of thee
Yet you sit here with joy, living like I was an autum leaf looked on with glee
Once it became dry it was stepped on ironically cordially
I will fly back, I will go to the place I now rest in peacefully.
I know now why God, Why must we all turn solely to thee.