Category Archives for Reflections

In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of night and day, there are Signs for people of intelligence

Taksim Square

Two weeks ago the big news was that Turkey had paid off its IMF debt and had pledged a $5 billion loan to the IMF to help alleviate the European debt crisis. Turkey seemed to have an air of confidence. … Continue reading

04. June 2013 by Timothy Bowes
Categories: Reflections, Society, Turkey | Tags: , , | Leave a comment

Truth unheard

No, converts have been told the truth — if they have read the Qur’an. The truths we learned were that each of us is accountable for our own actions, that God demands righteousness, but is equally forgiving of all those who … Continue reading

18. May 2013 by Timothy Bowes
Categories: Conversion, Reflections | Tags: , , | 2 comments

Words I forgot to utter

I wish I had planted these words firmly in my mind and on the tip of my tongue when I first set out on this path: A’uzu billahi min ash shaitani r rajimi. Still I fail to recall them when the whispers … Continue reading

14. April 2013 by Timothy Bowes
Categories: Nafs, Reflections | 2 comments

Be with those you’re with

Are we smartphone gageteers addicted? Do we not realise we’re neglecting the companions sitting beside us just to be with the lines of text on our screen? I have just returned from my evening class—one that I cherish greatly—pondering, were … Continue reading

13. March 2013 by Timothy Bowes
Categories: Reflections, Technology | Leave a comment

Transgressions

In the past we transgressed many boundaries, wandering into the lives of others, into private homes, into relationships between people. A website: a gateway. We wandered in where we were not invited, entering private realms, unconscious of the realities of … Continue reading

24. May 2012 by Timothy Bowes
Categories: Faith, Reflections | Tags: , , | 2 comments

Unspeakable Evil

As the years pass by I grow ever more depressed by our reaction to evil in our midst. We care more about how we are represented than how we represent ourselves. How many more years must we engage in futile … Continue reading

23. May 2012 by Timothy Bowes
Categories: Reflections, Representation | Tags: , , | Leave a comment

Insignificant

Sometimes my ego petitions me: “Why does nobody care what you have to say?” Why are gatherings too intolerant, too impatient? Why do forums wander on as if I never uttered a word? Why are my thoughts and concerns between … Continue reading

20. May 2012 by Timothy Bowes
Categories: Nafs, Reflections | Tags: , , , | 2 comments

Undue Praise

I return once more to the word of our Prophet, peace be upon him, when he told his companions to throw dust in the faces of those who praised people in their presence. I was in Turkey, taking tea with … Continue reading

15. May 2012 by Timothy Bowes
Categories: Conversion, Reflections | Tags: , , , | Leave a comment

Muslamic Ray Guns

Indeed, how hilarious: those Muslamic ray guns. How our sides split when we encountered the slurred petitions of the EDL supporter interviewed by Press TV last year. Or not. No, instead I just think of that video and the vile … Continue reading

08. May 2012 by Timothy Bowes
Categories: Reflections, Representation | Tags: , , | 1 comment

Reflections on Qurbani

I have become rather passive of late. The practice of my deen has been confined pretty much to the performance of the five prayers; I don’t think I am in a very good place spiritually and my relationship with my … Continue reading

09. November 2011 by Timothy Bowes
Categories: Faith, Reflections | Tags: , , , , | 2 comments

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