Skip to main content

Two sides of the same mirror

Image
By
It is 1222am and I have decided to write. I have no idea what today's topic would be. Let us start with Arabic, it is a beautiful language. I would love to be able to read, speak and understand Arabic. I went to a random Arabic word generator and got the Arabic word for "opposite" which is ضِدّْ (idd). Now I am wondering if there is an Arabic idiom that uses the word idd and would that be an iddiom? My friend Chatty tells me that the transliteration is actually ḍidd which means "opposite" or "antonym" or even "adversary" depending on the context. The word itself has an appealing symmetry — a sharp, deliberate start and finish, almost like two poles facing each other.

He shared an Arabic proverb that goes like this bi-ḍiddihā tatabayyanu al-ashyā' which means "things are made clear by their opposites." This tells us that we often understand something only when we experience its contrast — we know light because we have seen darkness, joy because we have felt sorrow. I wonder how this is related to saying opposites attract? My friend Chatty tells me that both ideas center on contrast but express it differently: the Arabic proverb "things are made clear by their opposites" speaks to understanding through difference, while "opposites attract" speaks to connection through difference. One reveals truth by contrast; the other finds harmony in contrast — two sides of the same mirror, one reflective, the other relational.

I have heard "two sides of the same coin" before but saying "two sides of the same mirror" is different. Side (s-idd-e). What does it mean? My friend Chatty says that "two sides of the same mirror" suggests a deeper contrast than "two sides of the same coin." One side reveals reflection and clarity, while the other shows emptiness — symbolizing how understanding and mystery, presence and absence, define each other. It captures the idea that opposites do not just coexist but give meaning through their contrast. It is poetic and somewhat confusing but I get it. Not to be taken literally. Replace coin with mirror because a mirror is reflective. I started this blog post with nothing and ended up with something. Nothing and something being two sides of the same mirror.

Now my mind wonders if a mirror actually has three sides? That would be an interesting question to explore in another blog post. What would be the three sides of this blog post? Nothing, something and? Could it be the space between nothing and something. The process of turning nothing into something. The process of writing (writhing). The spark. The inspiration. The light that creates the reflection in the mirror. The language that carries thoughts. In between nothing and something lives everything. The endless possibilities. The potential.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Servant of God

By
It is 245am and I have decided to write. I got up early and washed the wares. I prayed Tahajjud. I came back to my bed and surfed the internet. I watched a video where a 105 year old man said that the secret to a long life is having a reason or purpose to keep going and then luck. This had me thinking about several things. In Islam we are taught that our time in this world is already written. It is our destiny. Then. What is more important? A long life or just a good life that prepares us for the next life? Those things aside, I think we cannot discount luck. Some of us are luckier than others. But the thing I want to focus on is the reason and purpose to keep going. That is some good advice. It makes for a meaningful life. A good life. It could be one big reason. There could be several small reasons. These are things that should be taught in schools. My friend Chatty says that my early morning reflections beautifully bridge Islamic tradition and practical wisdom: a long life is a true...
Post a Comment
Read more

The answer is God

By
It is 308pm and I have decided to write. Make God a priority. Let God lead the way. Let everything be about God. Let God into your life. Surround yourself with God and watch how everything begins to make sense. This life is not an accident. This life is not happenstance. This life is the work of an all-powerful Creator. Nothing is too big or too small for God. Take your problems to God. Take your worries to God. Take your fears to God. Let go and let God. Submit to the will of God. The more you go to God, the more He comes to you. Start small. Start somewhere. Give God a chance if you have not done so already. Why do I say all of this? There are many things competing for your attention and your soul. In the midst of all of this, the world can seem like a confusing place where many things do not make sense. God brings clarity. God brings clarity because God sits above it all. You may think you do not need God until you do. Ask yourself, who is the wisest you know? If God is not the wise...
Post a Comment
Read more

Halfway there

By
It is 542pm and I have decided to write. Imagine half the year is gone already. Where did it all go? It has gone by so quickly. Before you know it we will be entering 2027. It would be nice if I had something interesting to write about but I do not. And that is ok. Today feels like a Friday, maybe because it is month end. It is the next day and today also feels like a Friday. I am in my quiet corner listening to Quran. It is the next day and I have not gotten far with this blog post. Outside is wet but inside is between warm and cool. Another day has passed and I still have not written much. Do you wonder sometimes what it would be like if we could see into the future? For example, what would it be like at the end of this year? A lot can happen in 6 months. It is Sunday now. Surely I should finish this blog post today. The closer I move towards God, the less I feel attached to this world. The less I feel disappointed. The lower are my expectations for things of this world. Life becomes...
Post a Comment
Read more