The scholars give their volumes up to hear The warriors their arms that they may touch The children all their toys to just be near This man. No man was ever loved so much. And now ‘Adiyy bin Hātim son of Tayy Of line defining generosity Found himself in Madinah standing by A grandmother who kept his company He watched him standing on the dusty way Conversing with that frailness bent with years Unhastening despite the long delay Attending reassuring calming fears ‘Adiyy received more than he ever gave Came looking for a king and found a slave
Whale
Inside the beast
Within the sea
How near the sound
Of prophet’s plea
What is, is not
What is not, is
Baby
Their dancing tongues
In faithless cheeks
The mother, silent
The infant speaks
What is, is not
What is not, is
Yāsīn
ʿAlīy remains,
No fear about.
Yasīn, on a breath of
Yasīn, steps out.
What is, is not.
What is not, is.
Snake
The staff is a snake
The messenger flees
“Musa, don’t fear”
Returns it with ease
What is, is not
What is not, is
Foot Soldier
An army of lies
Behind Jalūt,
Submitting foot soldier
And a pebble of truth.
What is, is not.
What is not, is.
Zāhid
You could reject the pleasures you’re allowed
Or be the slave embracing every gift
For sacrifice is clearly about
The quality of everything you give
The love Khaleelullah had for his son
Is why his love was honored by The One
Floating
The leaf in the wind
The wind in the storm
The storm in submission
Submission in the leaf
Rahm
Let all your pain
Be left behind
Allah make this
Descent refined
Your resting place
May be a tomb
But know: you’re in
This planet’s womb
To be delivered
On a day
When time and space
Forget to play
That day I pray
You find your way
To where Sayyidina awaits
Once Upon A Hope
Somewhere between
The skies and earth;
Between the pools
Of grief and mirth;
Between where roses
Wilt and die
And grasses long dead
Come alive;
Between the wrath
Of tyrant’s scorn
And mother’s smile
For newly born:
There, hope
And all its children thrive.