The Big Day

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim

Where are the sheets that will be used to wrap my body? Where is the wood that will be used to cover me? Where is the shovel that will dig the hole within which I shall eventually lay? Who will place me in my new home? Such preparations need to be made for death is our companion in every wakeful state.

Rather, you find me busying myself with vain endeavours, none of which are worth the time needed to make mention of them.

Check the calendar, and there it is marked. In invisible ink, the exact day is not seen, but it is the only scheduled occurrence worth anticipating.

As a bride prepares herself for her wedding, so too shall we prepare ourselves for our big day. Who will perform the final wash? Sidr instead of soap. All uncleanliness is removed. An odd number of washings, one, three, maybe five or more. Soaped, washed, and combed, complete with three braids. No cosmetics needed, but perhaps a few dabs of perfume.

Turned onto one's right side, the story of one's life is over, and a new chapter of existence is opened. The next realm of existence is met.

What awaits us? O Lord, what awaits us?

O Allah, my heart does not comprehend the reality of promised death, and my mind fails to deliver the reminder. Walking blindly in this world, we seek Your protection from the evils of ourselves and beg of Your vast mercy. Ya Rahman, Ya Rahim, forgive us, guide us, let our last moment be the best moment of our lives. Let that day be one of rejoice for us. Ya Allah, ighfir lana wa iftah qulubana ilayka, qawiy imanana, wa 'atiyna husnal khaatima, ameen.

Update 13-08-09:

Please watch "Washing and Shrouding the Deceased"
A Flash presentation by Islamway

Weakness

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim

I cannot claim that I love you for I do not follow you as one would follow her beloved. But I long for you, ya Habib. I hope for a way to come to you, to know you, to love you, and to be united with you.

These days I am trying even harder to keep you and your reality in mind. But there is a great weakness in my commitment to you for reasons that I cannot process intellectually. Why would one want other than your love? Why would one who has no conflict with your personage or with a single word or action or decision attributed to you look for anything other than the sweetness of your company?

I met those who claim to love you, and I noted that their claim is followed by actions. Their patient smiles are only on account of following your way. Their gentle words emulate your character. Their anger, expressed only for His sake, reflects your anger. When my eyes met theirs, I knew that that which I thought I shared with you was in fact a mere illusion.

But in my hopes, in my long hopes, I hope that perhaps this longing is a seed of love that will eventually grow and perhaps even blossom. Perhaps one day I will be amongst those who shall be honoured to stand with you. I need not greet you. I need not know that you know me. The One knows me. And He has honoured you. For this reason, I want to see you. May my eyes one day behold your blessed presence, O you who is beloved to the One who has power over all, He who deserves all praises. To Him shall we return. You are the precursor, and His manifestation is the epitome of success and rewards.

You are my means to Him. You are the one who I need to walk with in order to get to that sweet end. You are the only one from creation that I want encompassing my life. But I remind myself again that these are only words. Perhaps one day actions will follow. Perhaps one day. Until then, forgive me. Forgive me for the great time that I have wasted and continue to waste wandering through meadows far from your reach. I wrong you not, and only I feel the pain of my misdirection. Forgive me for belittling love.

May God's peace and blessings be upon you ya Habibullah, and upon your family and your companions, and those who love you. May He unite us, those of us who long for your company and love, in the best of places and in the best of ways. Ameen.

***

Al Mahabba Awards 2008
Muhammad Nabina
صلى الله عليه و سلم
with Hamada Helal



Update 08-08-09:

Al Qasidah Al Muhammadiyah
with Ahbab Al Mustafa


(Al Qasidah Al Muhammadiyah is a cherished qasidah. You can watch a video which includes the Arabic and English text here.)

عليه الصلاة و السلام