al-Ishs

my album, “visions”, is out already! you can buy it from cd baby.

i wrote a new song yesterday, “birth of love”. it almost resembles the popular “happy birthday”. it’s also short.

what’s been happening?

i’ve been busy working. since february this year, i’ve been working as an analyst programmer for linfox armaguard. in addition, i’ve revised my thesis (i know, i know, i already submitted it to the school, but i was required to buff it with more stuffs), and i’ve re-submitted it to the school about two weeks ago. but anyway, i went on with my life, partially…

earlier in 2008 (or was it the end of 2007?), i wrote a new song, “summer rain.” i haven’t got time to record it yet. while on the topic of music, i twisted my right thumb a few months ago. the pain was excruciating. recovering took a while… well, actually, it’s not back 100% yet. i still occasionally feel the pain, although it’s not bad and not hindering me from doing most things, and best of all, it doesn’t make me sad.

my second bro has also taken bay’a to the sultan of saints, through shaykh mustafa haqqani, shaykh nazim’s representative in indonesia. he has also enjoyed the presence of shaykh hisham during the shaykh’s recent visit to indonesia (bahasa indonesia).

my family and i had a nice trip to ruffy and euroa (and unexpectedly, shepparton. more on that later) to fulfill an invitation from shaykh abdul wahid to gather at his house for nisf sha’ban. we also met the sydneysiders there. daud had an accident while we were in euroa. he fell from the chair and it caused a little cut on his lower lip. we ran him to a clinic in shepparton with the help of motaki and amatullah. to our relief, it wasn’t a serious wound. it recovered pretty quickly.

recently, in front of my house, there’s been a white ford fairmont (built in the 90s) parked everyday. big thanks to the big chief and siraaj.

and just yesterday, my wife and son obtained their pr visa. so, the circle is now complete. we’re all permanent residents of australia.

yesterday, i just finished writing a new song, “dave’s toy.” again, inspired by my son.

in the past two months, i’ve written two new songs. i just haven’t got the chance to record them and put them online. “morning feeling” was written on 2 march 2007. “solitude” was written on 14 april 2007.

last sunday, i wrote a new song, “light speed,” inspired by daud’s activeness.

some time around mid day… about 0p30. the condition is okay. just needs a bit of tuning. my playing is a bit rusty though. i need to practise again.

tomorrow, a piano will arrive at my home. well, it won’t be technically mine. it belongs to the melbourne naqshbandi haqqani zawiya, but sort of being lent to me, as habib hazem ordered.

it will be a challenge for me, as i’ll have to play to accompany liturgies of remembrance of god. not that i mind. i’ll be delighted to do that. it’s just that i’ve never really done that. well, my songs typically have the spiritual dimension, albeit more personal. and this time, well… i don’t really know how it will turn out. i’m going to do an act of serving god, so i’m asking for divine inspiration for him through the guidance of his most perfect prophet muhammad, peace and blessings upon him, through the guidance of the masters of the golden chain, through the guidance of my living masters, mawlana shaykhs nazim, hisham, and adnan, may god sanctify their secrets.

last but not least, a big gratitude goes to sandra for the piano.