Jun 30, 2009 Posted by arif in General | 0 comments

And that’s why I am not too hot about Facebook and Twitter

I may not lend you money or help you move, but it would be my pleasure to take you out for a cup of coffee. If that’s good enough for you, you my follow me and Ali on Twitter here.  :-)

Jun 25, 2009 Posted by arif in General | 3 comments

Want a gift copy of the Quran? Click Here.

Since Salaam Centre, started the “Quran for All” project in Aug 2008, they have distributed more than 20,000 copies of the Quran on request. If you are in Bangalore, you can get your gift copy of the Quran by calling the number displayed on the hoarding.

You cannot simply read the Qur’an, not if you take it seriously. You either have surrendered to it already or you fight it. It attacks teanciously, directly, personally; it debates, criticizes, shames and challenges. From the outset it draws the line of battle, and I was on the other side.

I was at a severe disadvantage, for it became clear that the Author knew me better than I knew myself. Painters can make the yes of a portrait appear to be following you from one place ot another, but what author can write a scripture that anticipates your daily vicissitudes? The Qur’an was always way ahead of my thinkng; it was erasing barriers I had built years ago and was addressing my queries.

Each night I would formulate questions and objections, and somehow discover the answer the next day as I continues on in the accepted order. It was that the Author was reading my ideas and writing in the appropriate lines in time for my next reading. I had met myself in its pages, and I was afraid of what I saw. I was being led, working my way into corner that contained only one choice. – Jeffery Lang, Struggling to Surrender

Jun 24, 2009 Posted by arif in Reviews | 0 comments

The Coolest Desktop Wallpaper Service on the Planet

I never thought that I would pay for something as frivolous as desktop wallpapers, but when I came across Vladstudio.com, I had a change of heart. Vlad Gerasimov, is the Picasso of the Desktop world. Although $29.99 does sound pricey, but considering that one gets lifetime access that too, to hundreds of great looking wallpapers, I’ve been able to digest the price tag, (specially since I’ve already paid). So now whenever I’m in mood for a change of scenery, using the Vladstudio Companion, I just click a button and I can change my desktop wallpaper from one great work of art to another. Since all of Vlad’s wallpapers are stunning, it’s a treat to wait and see what will grace my desktop next.   

The free version is pretty cool too. The only catch there is that Vlad has his signature to his wallpaper and some may be lo-res versions, but if you just use a single monitor setup, that may be all you need. So if you are tired with the default wallpapers that come bundled with your pc or mac (and who isn’t), go round to Vladstudio.com, download & install the VladStudio Companion and then get ready to receive Ooohs and Aaahs from all those who pass by your workstation. If you do go ahead and try out Vladstudio, do drop in a comment on how you’ve found it to be.

Below are screenshots to some of my favourite wallpapers:

Jun 23, 2009 Posted by Mohammed Ali in Sufi Comics | 0 comments

Sufi Comics: The Forgiving Commander

Malik ibn Ashtar was the Commander in Chief of Imam Ali’s army. He was also made the governor of Egypt. The beauty of this anecdote is the wonderful balance of character displayed.

Did you like this comic? Copy this Code to add the above Comic to your Blog / Website:

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<img src="http://www.vakil.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/Sufi-Comics-The-Forgiving-Commander-231x300.jpg" alt="Sufi Comics - The Forgiving Commander" title="Sufi Comics - The Forgiving Commander" width="231" height="300" class="size-medium wp-image-547" />
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Jun 19, 2009 Posted by arif in General | 1 comment

How to run a Business. – A Quote

Your goal in life (or business) should be to never retire, but always have the option to. — William Hazlitt

A brilliant quote. Pretty much sums up how a business should be run according to Michael Gerber’s E-Myth. What’s really spectacular about this quote is that it was written somewhere in between the 17th and 18th century! Did people really have the same stress levels even then?