Game 3

Brave Fencer Musashi

Salaam,

F4

Game 2

Shadow of the Colossus

Salaam,

F4

Game 1

I'm going to periodically post games that I like that not many people know too much about. They are all worth the try if you can get your hands on them.

Myst

Salaam,

F4

Is Man Flawed?

There are many ideas in the world that are known as Truths. These ideas are without a doubt, and leaving no room for uncertainty, correct. That is what makes up a truth. One such truth, is the belief that man is flawed. I am not saying that everyone believes that man is flawed, and I myself am not a believer in that philosophy. However, It has been repeated over and over and has become the standard for most people, and that is what an idea needs to be a truth. This is mainly for the three biggest religions, which include most of the people on earth. When someone says that man is flawed, one needs to think about what he is actually saying. Dictating that man is flawed means that God created man with flaws. Now, one can also look at it this way. God could have had the intention of making a flawed being. When the job was done, it could be said that He created man perfectly as He wanted. In this way, God's perfection was for man to be flawed. Ruminate upon this notion.

What is an American?

What indeed... Upon looking in a dictionary, he or she would find a general definition of being born in the country of America and embracing its ideals. However, the secret to understand what is an American, is found via a more analytical approach. The roots of American ideals can be found as early as the first Puritan settlement. From this, an American can be described as the descendant of the first experimental settlers. The Puritan ideal of a "City Upon A Hill" is the major aspect that we can still observe today, and every American is an example of this. As the years progressed, and the earliest notion of the existence of America came into view, the ideals of America were written down and spread throughout all the colonies. It is from these that we may interpret the question"What is an American?". An American similar to that of a piece of a large puzzle, assuming that America is the puzzle. And just like one of those 5,000 piece puzzles you can get, it takes many pieces to make America. Usually, an American is not one nationality, much like other countries where one is born into the society, but a conglomeration of such. Essentially, an American is one that exhibits both social and religious tolerance, mainly because of the fact that they come from all around to a country with no boundaries, where religion to them is not a factor in their lives. This was the way Crevecoeur saw America upon first visit, and it's still the way we see it today.

Knowledge is Power

I saw this great video in Chemistry where an experiment with Alkali Metals in water is conducted. Warning: Do not attempt without professional supervision!

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2134266654801392897&q=Alkali+Metals&hl=en

Salaam,
F4

There's a lesson in here, somewhere...

Only a few weeks into the new year, and we're already looking at homecoming themes. This year is music, and personally, I think it's a fairly broad topic, leaving many themes to choose from. It looks like it's going to be a choice between Rock, Salsa, or Gospel (What the Heck?!). I could see already why Gospel would be problematic, for me and others, so I'd put my vote on Rock. Either way, this will make for an interesting homecoming week.

Salaam,
F4

A Salute to the Fallen

But our comedies never endured long without tragedy (1). In sundry of these storms... (2) these murtherous wretches went on, burning, and destroying before them (3). But here I cannot but stay and make a pause, and stand half amazed at this poor people's present condition (2). There were twelve killed, some shot, some stab'd with their Spears, some knock'd down with their Hatchets (3). These farewell lines to recommend to thee... (4) that when we live no more we may live ever (4).

(1) John Smith
(2) William Bradford
(3) Mary Rowlandson
(4) Anne Bradstreet

Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of the Qasidah Burdah. This in English translates to "The Poem of the Scarf" just in case you were wondering.
Chapter Two

Concerning restraining lust and carnal desires.

In this chapter Allamah Busairi R.A. mentions two reasons for restraining of lust and carnal desires.
Firstly: A person falls in love due to lust and carnal desires. After mentioning love in the first chapter he now mentions restraining lust and carnal desires. He also mentions that his entire life has been spent in sin. He sincerely regrets what he has done and repents to Allah Ta’aala.
Secondly: Restraining lust and carnal desires is essential for gaining love for Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam. The love which has for Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam, is a pure love and can only be attained by purifying oneself of lust and carnal desires.

1. Verily my soul which is laden evil did not heed the advice.
2. Due to its ignorance, from the warning by grey hair and old age.
3. And I have not prepared, for good deeds, a feast,
4. For a guest (that) has lodged on (my) head nor did I honour (him).
5. Had I known that I would not be able to honour him (it).
6. I would have concealed my secret, which is exposed, by dyeing.
7. Who is there that can restrain my wayward-self from its waywardness.
8. Just as unmanageable horses are restrained by resins.
9. Do not try, through sinning, to subdue sensual desires.
10. For verily food, only increases sensual desires.
11. Your self (desires) is like when breastfed.
12. Loves suckling but when you wean it, will stop.
13. Then stop its inclinations and beware that it does not overpower you.
14. Verily lust whenever it overpowers (it will) kill or maim (your character).
15. And guard it while it is grazing in (the field of ) actions
16. If it enjoys pasture, do not let it roam (graze) freely.
17. How often has pleasure been considered good, whereas it turned out to be deadly.
18. Because he does not know that there is poison in the fat.
19. And fear the evil of (both) hunger and satiation.
20. For most times hungers (poverty) is more evil that overeating.
21. And shed tears from those eyes which have become full.
22. Of forbidden sights and regard it as obligatory (upon yourself) to guard your eyes from forbidden things.
23. And oppose (your) self (nafs) and shaytaan and disobey them both.
24. And if both of them give you sincere advice regard it as lies.
25. And do not obey them both (nafs and shaytaan) as an enemy or as a wise (person).
26. For you know well the deception of (such) an enemy or a wise (person).
27. I seek forgiveness from Allah from such sayings (preachings) which I do practice upon.
28. For verily I have attributed (claimed), through this, offspring from a barren woman.
29. I command you to do good but I do not command myself to do the same.
30. And I was not steadfast ( on deen) so then of what use (value) is my saying to you: "Be steadfast!" (on deen).
31. And I made no provisions before death of voluntary (nafl) worship. And I did not perform salaat nor did I fast except what was obligatory.

Salaam,
F4

The world is crumbling...

Just recently (actually a few weeks ago) I figured out something, EVERYTHING I KNOW IS A LIE!!!!! One of the universal truths I learned when I was young is now being falsified. Pluto is no longer one of our 9 (or 8) planets and thanks to those crazy scientists, it is now considered a "Dwarf Planet". Some may argue that having 8 planets is easier to keep up with, that Pluto was insignificant anyway, or that now we don't have to deal with the switching orbits of Neptune and the former Pluto, but all of these claims are wrong! One day Pluto will get its due, and on that day, those astronomers who mocked and laughed at its size will pay...

Salaam,
F4