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Osmani's Sufi Blog:

A weekly update on new global information...

... highlighting a Sufistic viewpoint, with Poetry, Philosophy, Politics, Movies, Books, etc.

July 6, 2025

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Sufi Quote

The young people of today think of nothing but themselves. They have no reverence for parents or old age. They are impatient of all restraint. They talk as if they alone knew everything and what passes for wisdom with us is foolishness with them. As for girls, they are forward, immodest and unwomanly in speech, behavior and dress.


Socrates

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Gist of Summaries


I’ve lived my life in phases
and there is a summary for each phase

the wow-extractor period was the worst ever

but now,

with finite, ever diminishing period of time left
for me in this world,
I wonder what good there is

to get any more knowledge?

 

why burden the head more

it already has a lot of acquired waste

And there sure is
so much more to know
to learn, to reflect
but what good will it do for me

if I’m not there?

 

Just play for satisfaction.

Politics...

1. There are two perspectives on Islam:
1. God perceived.
2. Human perceived.
In God's perceived outcome, Islam was revealed only during the time revelations came to the holy Prophet. No revelation came before the first revelation or after the Prophet passed away. During the 23 years that the revelations came, many rules of following Islam were made and blessed by the Prophet himself. In the Human's perspective, humans interpreted Islam after the holy Prophet passed away. Three incidents during this period shine a light on the human's perspective: a) Three of the four immediate Caliphs after the Prophet were killed. b) There was a battle between the Prophet's son-in-law and one of the Prophet's noble wives. c) The prophet's grandson was killed. We can also see clearly when human perspectives influenced Judaism and Christianity. Zionism altered Judaism in a militant aggressive manner. For Christianity, the New Testament was written many decades after Jesus passed away. The concept of Trinity now dominates Christianity. And if we continue to follow the development, rise and fall of Islam after the initial period of the Prophet passing away, it becomes clear that when people followed God's perspective, they were successful. Other than that, they've always failed. Human imagination is limitless when interpreting guidance!

2. Smart move by Elon Musk on forming the "America Party":
One way to execute on this would be to laser-focus on just 2 or 3 Senate seats and 8 to 10 House districts. Given the razor-thin legislative margins, that would be enough to serve as the deciding vote on contentious laws, ensuring that they serve the true will of the people.

3. I'm glad Tucker Carlson is interviewing the President of Iran. I don't agree with Iran on a lot of issues, but it's great to hear from the other side.
I'm sick of listening to the Zionist lies all the time on TV.

Recent Movie Reviews: Blue ones are good!

* Secret Obsession (Netflix) 2019. Pretty good movie with suspense and betrayal. The heroine isn't particularly attractive.

* Lost in the Night (Netflix) 2023 A bit confusing but ok to watch on a slow day.

* Copycat (Netflix) 1995. Wonderful movie about a serial killer in San Francisco. Great to watch!
* I can't live without you Netflix) 2024. Argentinian. A bit drawn out, but a reasonable movie to watch.

* A Widow's Game (Netflix) 2025. Spanish. Based on a true story. Excellent murder mystery!

* I'm still Here (Netflix) Brazilian. Based on a true story. Very nicely done movie. Must watch!

* Guilty Pleasure (Netflix) 2024. Fillipino movie. A bit unusual, but ok to watch .

* Ittefaq (Netflix) 2017. Hindi. Well made detective film. Enjoyed watching it. Good acting also.

Oh Belinda (Netflix) 2023. Turkish. A bit unusual but enjoyable to watch. Good one to see.

* High Society (Netflix) 2018. Korean. A pretty deep story despite being a bit rauchy in parts.

* Fan Girl (Netflix) 2020. Malaysian. A bit different type of film. Some unexpected turns in plot. Ok to watch!

Book Review:

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Book Review:

 

Thoughtful and Contemplative Verses of the Quran

 

Author:  Rashid Osmani
 

Genre: Nonfiction / Religious / Islamic Studies Reviewed by Amy Brozio-Andrews

 

A motivational book of verses and affirming prose to help revive Muslim faith and spark action.

 

Rashid Osmani is a proud Muslim who grew to embrace his faith and invites readers to do the same in Thoughtful and Contemplative Verses of the Quran. Acknowledging the accomplished history of Muslims who embraced leadership and scholarship until around 500 years ago, he sees personal reading and reflection of the Quran as the best way to restore Muslims’ place in the world. This book acts as an important, accessible resource to do just that. Osmani is not talking about turning back the clock, though. He is eager to see a stronger commitment to education, charity, and science, akin to what made Islamic achievements in science, technology, philosophy, and similar fields possible in centuries past. But according to Osmani, many Muslims lack a solid understanding of the Quran and how to apply its teachings to their own lives. They could have a flawed view of sin and forgiveness and may wander away from the inherent truths revealed in the Quran. In this book, he proposes solutions that will empower Muslims to do better. And while the book is primarily directed at Muslims-in-name-only and those who have fallen away from practicing their religion, the author directly welcomes those of other faiths to accompany them. Christians and Jews are encouraged “to compare the Bible and the Quran with an open mind, as this is the only way to form a fair and balanced understanding.” Throughout, the tone is inclusive and welcoming. Osmani is firm in his faith and seeks to encourage others in their following of Islam; however, his way is gentle and fosters an eagerness in the reader to see where his writing leads. While it could be read in a single sitting at less than 75 pages, this is a book to return to in contemplative moods and at times of need. It’s organized with a table of contents so readers can quickly find the verses that best meet their situation. These curated verses are bookended by a thoughtful preface and introduction as well as a conclusion and list of references for readers’ convenience and continued education. More than 150 verses are provided in English with reference points so they can be located in the Quran. Beyond the Five Pillars, weekly mosque attendance, regular prayer, and reading the Quran, the author admits to a “selective” approach to following Islam, which might make it difficult for non-Muslim readers to evaluate his guidance with confidence. That said, many of the verses will feel familiar to nonMuslim readers too, like “4:32 -- Do not covet what God has bestowed more abundantly upon some of you than others.” There is much to appreciate here for Muslim and non-Muslim readers alike. There are certainly instances where the author's personal opinions won't match the reader’s; however, he is quick and clear in stating what is his opinion. One example is the statement, “I believe the practice of any religion is rooted in an inborn instinct akin to addiction.” Even describing it as a positive addiction and providing his reasons doesn't take away the sting some readers may feel. Whether it's expanding your understanding of the Quran or seeking new avenues for personal reflection, the author’s simple prose and generous tone offer sincere hospitality to all those who seek a more fruitful path toward inner peace.

© 2021 By Osmani Poetry

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