We love them all The immobilized uncle Who shouts his response blaring Salaam over the phone His hoarse tones streaking our ears Like syrup on pancakes The uncomplaining voice Of a dear cousin poorly faring Who does more with less How her words of shukr Lend her a regal bearing And the affectionate aunt Who braves crowds thronging At the rawdah swearing She won’t leave till Her eyes have their fill “Aayiram Kangal,” she said something declaring In Tamil verses of delight: “A thousand eyes couldn’t Take in this sight.” Lovers of salaam Lovers of shukr Lovers of the habīb SallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam
Archives for April 2023
Collateral Damage
Collateral damage has hues Of innocent blood That stains the ivory tower Keep your hands clean To make the tower gleam
Waiting Room
A beautiful day Is no less beautiful Because I cry With clouds gathering On my brow Raining tears on a shirt Otherwise dry No, the day remains Beautiful Playing out its purpose For whichever Of God’s creatures Must have its share Of beauty in the air We all know we’ve had ours Smiles and laughter With leftovers after All while fire rains Or earth splits Or lead hits everything In its way Yes, the darkness lifts Slowly On this or the other side Of this azure marble Swimming in space All that is willed Must pass into Grace To bring into view The golden hues Of a shared dawn Enough khalid Stop resisting Bow or be bowed Desisting
Mushaf
Like many, I’ve found that reading from the mushaf hits differently than reciting from memory. Especially on days when I have a lot of dunya swimming around in my head, picking up the mushaf, reciting from it for a few minutes helps clear the cobwebs. It’s like a wash for the senses: for the eyes that read; for the lips, cheek, palate, the entire mouth really that plays stage for my tongue; for the ears that listen to the rivery rush of my recitation; for the hands that feel the containment - four fingers have the cover while thumbs get paper; everything gets something. But then you wonder, what about taste and smell. Well, those senses reap the benefits. They are the ones that make me want to return.