Dorothea

‘Oh, my life is very simple,’ said Dorothea, her lips curling with an exquisite smile, which irradiated her melancholy. ‘I am always at Lowick.’

‘That is a dreadful imprisonment,’ said Will, impetuously.

‘No, don’t think that,’ said Dorothea. ‘I have no longings.’ He did not speak, but she replied to some change in his expression. ‘I mean, for myself. Except that I should like not to have so much more than my share without doing anything for others. But I have a belief of my own, and it comforts me.’

‘What is that?’ said Will, rather jealous of the belief.

‘That by desiring what is perfectly good, even when we don’t quite know what it is and cannot do what we would, we are part of the divine power against evil— widening the skirts of light and making the struggle with darkness narrower.’

‘That is a beautiful mysticism—it is a—‘

‘Please not to call it by any name,’ said Dorothea, putting out her hands entreatingly. ‘You will say it is Persian, or something else geographical. It is my life. I have found it out, and cannot part with it. I have always been finding out my religion since I was a little girl. I used to pray so much—now I hardly ever pray. I try not to have desires merely for myself, because they may not be good for others, and I have too much already. I only told you, that you might know quite well how my days go at Lowick.’ 

‘God bless you for telling me!’ said Will, ardently, and rather wondering at himself. They were looking at each other like two fond children who were talking confidentially of birds.

‘What is your religion?’ said Dorothea. ‘I mean— not what you know about religion, but the belief that helps you most?’

‘To love what is good and beautiful when I see it,’ said Will. ‘But I am a rebel: I don’t feel bound, as you do, to submit to what I don’t like.’

‘But if you like what is good, that comes to the same thing,’ said Dorothea, smiling.

(Middlemarch)

voice so tender

Don't surrender your loneliness so quickly. 
Let it cut you more deep. 

Let it ferment and season you 
As few human and even divine ingredients can. 

Something missing in my heart tonight
Has made my eyes so soft, my voice so tender, 

My need of God 
Absolutely
Clear.

(Hafez)

“My Eyes So Soft”
by Hafiz, trans. Daniel Ladinsky
Don't surrender your loneliness so quickly.
Let it cut more deep.
Let it ferment and season you
As few human or even divine ingredients can.
Something missing in my heart tonight
Has made my eyes so soft,
My voice so tender,
My need of God
Absolutely
Clear.
- See more at: http://spiritualityhealth.com/blog/jc-peters/dont-surrender-your-loneliness-so-quickly#sthash.BNaIaMML.dpuf

“My Eyes So Soft”
by Hafiz, trans. Daniel Ladinsky
Don't surrender your loneliness so quickly.
Let it cut more deep.
Let it ferment and season you
As few human or even divine ingredients can.
Something missing in my heart tonight
Has made my eyes so soft,
My voice so tender,
My need of God
Absolutely
Clear.
- See more at: http://spiritualityhealth.com/blog/jc-peters/dont-surrender-your-loneliness-so-quickly#sthash.BNaIaMML.dpuf

Middlemarch Jokes

‘My dear child, what is this?—this about your sister’s engagement?’ said Mrs. Cadwallader.

‘She is engaged to marry Mr. Casaubon,’ said Celia, resorting, as usual, to the simplest statement of fact, and enjoying this opportunity of speaking to the Rector’s wife alone.

‘This is frightful. How long has it been going on?’

‘I only knew of it yesterday. They are to be married in six weeks.’

‘Well, my dear, I wish you joy of your brother-in-law.’

‘I am so sorry for Dorothea.’

‘Sorry! It is her doing, I suppose.’

‘Yes; she says Mr. Casaubon has a great soul.’

‘With all my heart.’

‘Oh, Mrs. Cadwallader, I don’t think it can be nice to marry a man with a great soul.’

‘Well, my dear, take warning. You know the look of one now; when the next comes and wants to marry you, don’t you accept him.’

‘I’m sure I never should.’

‘No; one such in a family is enough...’  

(Middlemarch, by George Eliot)

Prophet of Women

Abdullah ibn Abbas narrates: A young woman came to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) and she said: “Oh Prophet of Allah! My father has married me to his nephew, to increase his own position, and I dislike it.” The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) replied: “Affirm what your father has done.” She replied: “I do not want to.” The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) replied: “Then go and marry whoever you wish.” She then said: “I don’t really dislike it oh Messenger of Allah, but I wanted women to know that fathers do not have a choice in the affairs of their daughters.”
[Daraqutni & Tabarani]

The lessons from this hadith:

1. When the Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) said, “confirm what your father has done” – he shows that the marriage contract has not gone through, and she is the one with the authority to affirm it, not the father.
2. After her statement at the end – highlighting that a father’s role is not to decide his daughter's affairs – the Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) does not criticise his companion. If she was incorrect in her understanding and words, he (peace and blessings upon him) would have corrected her. However, he remains silent – which is approval in matters of religion.
3. When the Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) said: “marry whoever you wish” – he has given the woman absolute authority.

[From Ikhtiyar li-Ta'leel al-Mukhtar (hanafi fiqh book) of Imam Muwsili, in the section of Nikah (marriage).]

I love this companion (may Allah be pleased with her) - she has such beautiful concern for womankind. And I love my Prophet (endless peace and blessings upon him), because he heals every broken heart. Allah join us with the highest company.