“The words are not good for the secret meaning, everything always becomes a bit different, as soon as it is put into words, gets distorted a bit, a bit silly—yes, and this is also very good, and I like it a lot, I also very much agree with this, that this what is one man’s treasure and wisdom always sounds like foolishness to another person.” ― Hermann Hesse, Siddhartha
Abstract: This paper explores the traditionally accepted claim that Aisha bint Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with her, was married to the Prophet Muhammad,(ﷺ) peace be upon him, at the age of six and that the marriage was consummated at the age of nine. Drawing from both hadith literature and early Islamic historical sources,… Continue reading Reassessing Aisha’s Age at Marriage: A Historical and Hadith-Based Inquiry
With the demise of film director Marilou Diaz-Abaya, I am re-posting this film critique I did in Jan. 2002. The film is Bagong Buwan (New Moon). This is a once-in-a blue moon film and as I wrote then, it would take some time before Filipinos could see another one like it. Ms. Diaz-Abaya dreamed of a peaceful Mindanao… Continue reading Bagong Buwan, a Marilou Diaz-Abaya film
Today is Mother’s Day in many countries including U.S.A. and the Philippines. May all Mothers bring out the best in their husbands and children while living up to their own full potential. Below is an article I wrote for The Philippine Post on December 14, 1999. It is about Eve, the Mother of all the Living.… Continue reading Eve, the First Woman, Wife and Mother
Postprandial Musings, 2.0 