tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5932073500331645879.post6432800389236144857..comments2024-03-01T02:27:33.746-08:00Comments on Nostalgia, Scream and Flower: tabsraMeem Seenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14884172540924283823noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5932073500331645879.post-59451067002584371962019-08-05T23:23:26.249-07:002019-08-05T23:23:26.249-07:00As salaam o alaikum, wanted to share an excerpt fr...As salaam o alaikum, wanted to share an excerpt from a amazon customer review on michael wolfe travelogue on hajj : <br /><br />An Assyrian friend of mine once said: "Many Americans have an odd way of treating religion: They pick and choose as if they were at a spiritual buffet. They pluck what they need from each culture to meet their conveniences." It's true. We drop Zen when we're too lazy to provide an explanation; we pull out the Kaballah when we have lost our mystery; we get a bit of relaxation from the Hindu yogis after a hard week at work, and confess to being a Christian when there's a sale on red wine.<br /><br />Islam is not on the menu. Islam means "obedience, submission to god, surrender of the self."<br /><br />So when Wolfe prefaces his book about a spiritual journey by announcing that Islam appeals to his personal needs, it pretty much sets the stage for one's expectations from the book in terms of spirituality. I felt that there were moments when the author was more intent on observing his surroundings, seeking comfort and relief from the heat and exhaustion, and completing a business deal involving the sale of used cars, then embarking on a spiritual journey. At the height of the Hadj for example (at Mount Mercy) when colleagues of the author busied themselves with reading the Qu'ran, he goes off to look for drinks, friends, shelter, and a better view. I was continually befuddled at why a novice wouldn't try his hardest to seek enlightenment when standing on the spiritual center of his new religion. <br /><br />It's these moments I felt the book should really be read as a travelogue about the Hadj, and not as one man's personal spiritual journey. I won't rule out the fact that as a novice convert at that time, Wolfe may still have some time before coming into his own. So there's no judgment made here. <br />Just sharing an observation for those who expect to gain insight on the spiritual angle.<br /><br />A bibliography of further reading and a helpful glossary completes this book. A breezy read for us Kafirs who need a bit of education about our Muslim brothers and sisters."<br /><br />Source : https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R31MRA3V0JZP0R/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_viewpnt?ie=UTF8&ASIN=0802135862#R31MRA3V0JZP0R<br /><br />Muhammad Alihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13669489740566621017noreply@blogger.com