Thursday 

I'll try to take some pictures to illustrate this sometime, or I might even put the video on site if I ever get to be able to afford the convertor. Until then you'll just have to make do with the words.


Evening Call - 03/02/94

Islam display cabinet

Close up of Alhambra souvenir

Close up of old prayer mat

Very close shot of threads

In the St. Mungo's Museum, stands a souvenir of the Alhambra Palace in Cordoba. Now, the gardens of the palace, with their fountains and shade may be a reminder of the Gardens of Paradise, and the intricate patternwork on the walls may be beautiful, but does it really have anything to do with religion? A rug may be used for prayer, but may equally well be just for decoration, so how does the effort involved in the 1000's of knots tied laboriously by hand relate to worship?  
 


Medium shot old prayer mat

Alhambra souvenir

Alhambra detail pictures

 

 In Islam, the word for worship is 'Ibadat, an Arabic word also meaning service or slavery. Worship is not confined to Prayer and Pilgrimage, but should run through every part of your life. Whatever you do, work or play, should be done to the best of your ability in the service of God.

Lustre tile close up

Alhambra tile detail

Taj Mahal tile detail

Taj Mahal souvenir

Alhambra detail pictures

Carpet knots Close up

Chain Mail Close up

Armour Medium shot

Armour Helmet
This brings very practical advantages. For example, trying to do the best you can has the effect of relieving boredom. Why do children not get bored from the repetitive actions of a computer game? Because they are always trying to do a little better than the time before. How much easier it is to get up in the morning to work on something you want to achieve, whether that be some hobby, fixing the car, decorating the house, or just improving your golf. Similarly, living our lives in the service of God relieves us of the anguish of our slavery to man.