Saturday, April 15th, 2006

Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “The speed of development of mutual feelings between two good people when they meet is similar to that of combining rain water with river water even if they do not verbally express their friendship.”

Allah has provided wonderful creations including the living, the lifeless, the stationary, and the moving. (Imam Ali, Nahju Balagha, sermon 164)

When the cloud prostrated itself on the ground, and delivered all the water it carried on itself, Allah grew vegetation on the plain earth, and herbage on dry mountains.
As a result, the earth felt pleased at being decorated with its gardens, and wondered at her dress of soft vegetation and the ornaments of its blossoms.
Allah made all this the means of sustenance for the people, and feed for the animals. (Imam Ali (AS) sermon 90, Nahjul Balagha)

Faith is supported by four pillars: Endurance, Certitude, Justice and struggle (in the way of Allah). (Imam Ali (AS))

The Imam is as the rain-bearing cloud, the drenching rainfall, the shining sun, the shadow providing sky, the open fields, the gushing forth spring, as a pond and a garden. The Imam is as a comforting friend, a very kind father, a real brother, a tender-hearted mother of a small child, a refuge for people in disastrous conditions. (Imam al-Rida (AS) attributed in al-Kafi, H523)

The Tarahumara designs on the chuch walls depict rivers, canyons, and other indigenous religious symbols.
