what is with Allah is better

A reminder for myself, first: as Allah azza wa jall told us

فَمَا أُوتِيتُم مِّن شَيْءٍ فَمَتَاعُ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا ۖ وَمَا عِندَ اللَّهِ خَيْرٌ وَأَبْقَىٰ لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ

So whatever thing you have been given – it is but [for] enjoyment of the worldly life. But what is with Allah is better and more lasting for those who have believed and upon their Lord rely

May Allah guide me to rely on Him first, and to trust in Him, that what He has given is the best for me, for now, for here and, if He wills, for the Hereafter, ameen.

James Baldwin, Richard Avedon – ‘Nothing Personal’

‘Nothing Personal’ is a largely unflinching portrait of mid-Century America, strangely re-released by Taschen at this time of American Greatness, and we’re really, very, very, really Great, where we’re all, really very united—it’s stupendous, really.  The photographs of our heroes, they’re really, really great, really, and those other people in there, we love them, really. It’s stupendous.

Oh, right.

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Natalie Blom – ‘Return’ & ‘The Shattered Horizon’

Natalie Blom’s ‘Return’ and ‘The Shattered Horizon,’ are collections of beautiful, lo-fi, sub- ex- and urban landscapes, exploring her hometown and places she visits with an eye toward experimentation. The results are beautiful and inspirational.

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building for His sake

Uthman bin Affan heard the Prophet, peace be upon him, say

مَنْ بَنَى لِلَّهِ مَسْجِدًا بَنَى اللَّهُ لَهُ مِثْلَهُ فِي الْجَنَّةِ

Whoever builds a Masjid for (the sake of) Allah, then Allah will build a similar house for him in Paradise.

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