James and Hana’s Summer Vacation

For our annual late-summer vacation,* my darling, adorable wife and I took a 1000 mile driving tour of central and south Texas. We had a great time, Alhamdulillah. I didn’t shoot much, for once, just 4 full rolls and 2 partials, so rather than whacking this up by day or film stock or city or something, and with apologies, here’s the whole 5 day, 4 night trip in one long post.**

Many of the places we visited were hit by Hurricane Harvey and intense rainfall, and are underwater as I write this. May God grant mercy and ease to the people and communities effected, and may He bring us all together to rebuild and to take clear, concrete steps to mitigate our impact on the environment, ameen.

Continue reading “James and Hana’s Summer Vacation”

Eid Mubarak!

Alhamdulillah, today is Eid al Adha, the celebration of the end of the Hajj (may Allah accept it from those blessed enough to attend this year, and may He allow the rest of us to participate in the future, ameen), an opportunity for us to remember Abraham’s sacrifice, and a chance for us to gather together in remembrance of Allah and his blessings, mercy, and guidance. Continue reading “Eid Mubarak!”

Diversity

Today, I’m thankful for Diversity: biodiversity, cultural diversity, diversity of genotypes and phenotypes, diversity of landscapes, foodstuffs, all of the variety in this world. Alhamdulillah!

Allah tells us some things about diversity in the Quran, and it’s worth reflecting on and marveling at His magnificence and benevolence in creating all this diversity. Continue reading “Diversity”

Happy Anniversary, Farhana Ali!

The past 4 years have been an absolute blessing, all praise and thanks be to God. May He grant us many more together, and keep us growing together, Ameen.

“Creeping Sharia”

Today, I’m thankful for “creeping sharia,” the slow, clandestine spread of Islam throughout this great country. I know that may be frightening to some, but don’t worry: despite it’s spread, Islam and Muslims still form only a tiny fraction of American society (3% or less) and so-called “sharia law” of the type practiced in some oil-producing and war-torn nations halfway around the world is not in any way encroaching on the Constitution or the rule of law here in the U.S.

Islam is here, though, and Muslims are establishing themselves all over the land. Allahu Akbar!
Continue reading ““Creeping Sharia””

A reminder for the traveller

In Surah Al Haj, Allah azza wa jall reminds us:

فَكَأَيِّن مِّن قَرْيَةٍ أَهْلَكْنَاهَا وَهِيَ ظَالِمَةٌ فَهِيَ خَاوِيَةٌ عَلَىٰ عُرُوشِهَا وَبِئْرٍ مُّعَطَّلَةٍ وَقَصْرٍ مَّشِيدٍ

And how many a city did We destroy while it was committing wrong – so it is [now] fallen into ruin – and [how many] an abandoned well and [how many] a lofty palace.

أَفَلَمْ يَسِيرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ فَتَكُونَ لَهُمْ قُلُوبٌ يَعْقِلُونَ بِهَا أَوْ آذَانٌ يَسْمَعُونَ بِهَا ۖ فَإِنَّهَا لَا تَعْمَى الْأَبْصَارُ وَلَٰكِن تَعْمَى الْقُلُوبُ الَّتِي فِي الصُّدُورِ

So have they not traveled through the earth and have hearts by which to reason and ears by which to hear? For indeed, it is not eyes that are blinded, but blinded are the hearts which are within the breasts.

May Allah open hearts as we travel through the land, seeking fortunes, educating ourselves, or simply enjoying some hard-won vacation time with significant others, Ya Muqallibal qulub, thabbit qalbi ‘ala dinik, Ameen. Continue reading “A reminder for the traveller”

Tyler, TX: pro-am & toy

For #DianaDay, I went to Tyler, TX in connection with another project.* I went with, perhaps, a few too many cameras…

Excessive, perhaps, but now, with film developed, I have a chance to look at the different formats and think some about the various use cases I have for them, maybe more effectively grab the right camera(s) when I’m on my way out the door in the morning, or head off for a trip, maybe. Continue reading “Tyler, TX: pro-am & toy”