heavensgladyoucame:

Jackson, demonstrated the foundation for the song in an impromptu acappella performance in his 1993 interview with Oprah Winfrey. The moment elicited such a strong reaction that Sony decided to issue it as the album’s next single (in place of “Give in to Me”). The Village Voice’s Greg Tate later wrote of the moment: “My official all-time-favorite Michael clip is the one of him on Oprah viciously beatboxing (his 808 kick sound could straight castrate even Rahzel’s!) and freestyling a new jam into creation – instantaneously connecting Michael in a syncopating heartbeat to those spiritual tributaries that Langston Hughes described, the one’s ancient as the world and older than the flow of human blood in human veins. Bottom line: Anyone whose racial-litmus-test challenge to Michael came with a rhythm-and-blues battle royal event would have gotten their ass royally waxed.”

- Man in the Music

"if you want to talk to someone that really has a struggle within the Muslim community then talk to a black Muslim and ask them how they’re treated. I think you might learn a thing or to about what it’s like to be treated like an outsider in the Muslim community when all you want to do is worship Allah."

Samira (via statedebeing)

I didn’t know someone quoted this but this is probably the realest thing I’ve said. No one really understands or acknowledges the struggles of the black Muslim community. Racism within the Muslim community is ridiculous but they all turn around and quote Malcolm X while turning away people that look just like him.

WTF kinda logic…

(via samirathejerk)

samirathejerk:

My Tumblr quality

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Yours

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"For the love of a rose, the gardener becomes the slave of a thousand thorns."

Turkish Proverb  (via arabarabarab)

"They simply never understand,
do they,
that sometimes solitude is
one of the most beautiful things
on earth?"

Charles Bukowski (via h-o-r-n-g-r-y)

"You must love in such a way that the person you love feels free."

Thich Nhat Hanh (via imaan-daar)
arpandholiphotography: Acrylic on canvas. February 10, 2013. Arpan Bhandari
samirathejerk: Ah, this. Yes. Anonymous asked: So since you’re kinda shy and seem not nearly as outspoken/bossy as Samira is she kind of like the man in the relationship? :P The Answer: No? I know that it might be funny to joke around about things like that but it’s actually harmful in my opinion and just reiterates that whole, “real men don’t cry” sort of thought process. A man having a less dominate personality in a marriage or a man being a stay at home dad or a man that cooks, cleans, etc .. isn’t less of a man because of that. There are no set personality traits or roles that define what makes a man a man. And vice versa, honestly. Saying that because a woman is more dominating or upfront, she’s acting like a “man” just reiterates the idea that women need to be silent, shy, and passive or else they’re not acting how they should.

"What if our religion was each other,
If our practice was our life,
if prayer our words?
What if the temple was the Earth,
if forests were our church,
if holy waters—the rivers, lakes, and oceans.
What if meditation was our relationships,
if the teacher was life,
if wisdom was self-knowledge,
if love was the center of our being."

Ganga White (via mirroir)
  • Ayah: Amina is reading a book about Caesar it's by Shakespeare.
  • Me: That's cool.
  • Ayah: Who is Shakespeare? What masjid is he the Sheikh at?
  • Ayah: And how come everyone in the book is scared of the eyes of March? I thought March was a month how does it have eyes?
  • Ayah: And did Caesar make Caesar salad? I love that salad best.
My little sister (well not so little anymore) Sa’adah. 
I think the best part of hanging dhikr beads in our car is that having in front of you reminds you to say a quick “bismillah” before starting your trip. 
souls-of-my-shoes: Guatemalan Girl by David_Lazar on Flickr.
travelingcolors: Zenith Beach, New South Wales | Australia (by Rhys Pope)