New project for Joe Mad!

[Sketchlogic]

SlaveofAllah, in all kindness and respect (especially considering your desire to bridge spiritual gaps), Joe would never have the time to pull this off given his current career path. You should also be aware and even sensitive in some ways to Joe's spiritual beliefs as he either may or may not be or feel comfortable drawing such a story for many reasons. Much of what you've said should also be posted in another thread (such as the lounge) as this is a personal religious conviction and not about Joe Mad per se.

[kable]

slave of allah - your faith in your religon is admirable, however this is a website dedicated to a great artist ... who simply draws comics and creates games for our pleasure and he does a fantastic job of it. I think it would be unfair to mix the subject of religion into his arena..i really do not mean to offend

[antichristian]

please dude, can the religion.

[artxtra]

glad somebody noticed!

no offence,SOA.

[SlaveofAllah]

Thank you all for putting up with me, I do realise now that Joe is too busy to participate in the Awliya project.

I still have the hope that maybe in the future he might get involved, but for now i'll have to proceed with what I've got.

I only try to advise you because I care about you. It is important for you all to ask yourself questions like, "What is the purpose of life?" This is so so that you have a direction and goal in life.

You may silence me, but you will never silence that little voice inside you that prompts you to get to know Allah (God).

You can "can" religion, but will ignorance provide you with better comfort?

Will darkness be more suitable than warm daylight?

Ponder over this my friends...

[maverick1104]

SlaveofAllah, it is okay for one to believe in a certain religion. Many people do. But you must also remember that many people have their own thoughts and beliefs concerning that subject matter. When you post yours on a forum you have to understand that not everyone thinks or believes in what you do. Joe I'm sure has his own beliefs, but I don't think this is the place to really talk about them or to try and commission him. This is a forum on a comic book artist's fansite. Joe is a very busy guy and has a lot on his plate already. I commend you for your passion for your religion but I personally think that this is not a topic to bring up. Religion and politics are best kept between friends and family. I hope you don't take this as mean. I'm just trying to help.

[SlaveofAllah]

Thank you maverick1104,

By all means, I always encourage free thought and beliefs. I am aware that not everyone thinks or believes in what I do but it is still my duty to declare the message for those who actually care about the truth. That way, I can say to Allah on the Day of Judgement that at least I conveyed the message: the result is beyond my power.

But Islam does, and always has, invited people to have free thought. To ponder over this marvelous creation and reach their own conclusions. It is not my position to force anyone. That is against my faith. "Let there be no compulsion in Religion, Truth stands out clear from error. Whoever rejects evil and beleives in Allah has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that never breaks. And He is the All-Hearing, All-Knowing." (The Noble Quran 2:256)

As you can see, there is to be no compulsion (forcing) anything on anybody. I recognize that Joe has his own beliefs and I respect that. You are right, I was trying to get him to participate in this project but I realise now that it may not be possible-yet.

But you see, mave, religion and politics concerns us all, not just family and friends. Closing your eyes doesn't solve the problem. It's up to us to be active members of society.

I don't consider what you said as mean and I do realise you are trying to help and I thank you for your efforts.

[SlaveofAllah]

I have written a letter to Joe Mad! on my website at:

www.Awliyaworld.piczo.com

Look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you

[DaveCummings]

It's not about closing your eyes to religion. I understand that you're passionate towards your religion. But, the reason why people tend to not talk about Politics or Religion is because generally people are passionate and very set in their beliefs and stances and all it tends to do is create a lot of heated, angry discussion with no one changing their minds at all. As a matter of fact, most of the time when someone is pushing the issue as much as you're doing, all you accomplish is pushing those people further against you.

A lot of people are taking issue with this thread is because of you trying to push this project on Joe and titling it as "New Project for Joe Mad", making people think that it's something that he is working on. And then pushing the religion angle very heavily.

Hell, I'm surprised that this thread still exists. Most of the time...at least on other boards, threads like this are quickly deleted.

[SlaveofAllah]

Hello DaveCummings, I thank you for your reply,

I agree that religious or political discussions are generally heated and angry because people have firm belief in their point of view. But it doesn't always have to be like that. You see, with knowledge and wisdom, the said discussion can be quite peaceful and calm depending on the people themselves. Personally, I have had many discussions which went quite well. It is all about the approach and understanding what the other person is saying.

You know what they say: Understanding the question is half the answer. But when convincing arguments are placed before people, there are two outcomes: 1. Those who are wise and sincerely searching for truth will accept it, repent and make amends and 2. Those who are stubborn and arrogant will only see it as a challenge and try their utmost to oppose it. So that is where wisdom and knowledge come in. A wise person can distinguish between the two and can easily diffuse the situation.

And the important points are gentleness and love. When we do things with a heart full of love and gentleness, it will brush out on even the most ardent opponents. As I said, it is only our duty to convey the message; the result is beyond our power. But when Allah wants an end, he will provide the means.

What we must realise is that JoeMad!'s comics, so far, are not the end. Most of you think it is. But that is just a means to the higher end which is: to save mankind from destruction. I enjoy Joe Mad!'s art, there is no doubt about that. But there is a higher responsibility that he must assume. It's like Garrison.

When Maestro approached Garrison to solve the problem, what was his reply? "...I'm retired." He thought that just because he had all of his accomplishments, that they were the end. But in reality, they were the means! So Maestro woke him up and Garrison once again weilded the powerful sword and leapt into action with all the zeal and determination of a Marshal Paladin. And through that, he was able to attain a higher purpose and even met up with his friends.

Isn't it ironic that you people profess to love Joe Mad! but you are trying very hard to block out the light that would save his future life on the Day of Judgement? I advise Joe because I care about him and want the best for him. He has changed my life for the better and I believe he has done the same for all of you.

I am eternally grateful.

Thank you Joe Mad!

[maverick1104]

I'm not fully understanding. Are you saying that Joe is like a messiah or something? By the will of his pencil he will save mankind from destruction? I'm not trying to mock you, but I just don't fully understand why you feel it is your duty to turn everyone onto your beliefs? And by the way it sounds, you feel that we either believe in what you do or we are wrong. Is that correct?

Again, I respect your passion, dude. I really do, but it's beginning to be a bit much. I am a really open-minded person and have my opinions on religion and such. But I am not broadcasting them on this forum and I also do not feel that it is my job to make people believe in the beliefs I believe in. They believe in what they believe in and I believe in what I believe in. That's okay by me. This is a comic book artist's fansite. We are here because we all like/love Joe's artwork. I'm not trying to be rude but we are not here to hear about your religious beliefs. Basically, it seems you want people to believe the way you do. It's understandable, but when you keep at it and at it, you only push people away to even the possibility of them listening to you. My question to you is this: Why can't everyone live and believe in what they believe in and just leave it at that?

My suggestion is that you tone it down some. I'm not saying you can't believe what you believe in. I just don't think it really belongs on a comic book forum.

Ps. I love Joe's artwork. I do not know him personally and therefore cannot proclaim any love for the man himself. No offense, Joe. I'm sure you're a kick-ass guy, really.

[SlaveofAllah]

Hi maverick, thank you for your reply,

To put it simply: Joe is a special person with a special responsibility. Don't you see? Throughout the ages, people recieved the message in their own language. Not so much as verbal or written language, but the message suited their lifestyle and the message healed their problems.

The language for the modern lifestyle is pictures and stories, but now we have a wider scope for education, training and exploration. We live in an age of science and discovery, and that is the language which is modern.

Joe is the best person, highly equipped to bring a powerful message of unity with his artwork. Infact, he is the only qualified person to do it, because his artwork and storytelling is unmatched.

Maverick, it is not my duty to turn everyone onto my beliefs. It is only my duty to convey the message. The result is beyond my power. I am happy that you are an open-minded person, we need more people like you and I respect your opinions & beliefs. I know now that that (freedom of belief) is O.K for you, and I never said otherwise. I understand that this is a comic book artist website, that's why I'm appealling to the best artist on the face of the earth.

To answer your question, people are, generally, unable to reach the truth on their own. They need a teacher. That's why our Creator has sent many prophets and messengers to teach us knowledge and wisdom.

From Adam to Noah to Abraham to Moses to Jesus to Muhammad, peace be upon them all. Without revelation, humans are worse than the beasts. That is a fact. We need nurturing and teaching. We need education.

Revelation is a burning sword that cuts through ignorance. It is a big mistake to let people follow their own lusts and desires: that will lead to destruction. We, as humans, are supposed to be intelligent beings. That's why God made us His agents on earth. To bring justice and mercy.

To bring order, not chaos.

Issue #1 of Awliya is finished with #2 on the way. I would like to send a copy of each to Joe and let the comic speak for itself. It is rather involved but the story is consistent nonetheless. Since Joe is the expert in comics, I want to see what impression he gets from it. Please Joe, overlook my artwork, just focus on the story. I pray to God that you like it

P.s. I love Joe's artwork too, even though I may not know him personally and I, too, am sure he is a top guy