The Protecting Friend…

Peace, one and all…

‘Allah is the Protecting Friend of those who believe. He brings them out of darknesses into the light…’ (al-Baqarah 2:257).

Ma’as salama,
Abdur Rahman

Kindred Spirituality

Peace, one and all…

I’ve long been an admirer of a lot of biblical spirituality. Indeed, one of the things which led me to Islam was my perception of divine tradition. That is, that God has indeed spoken to humanity throughout its turbulent history on earth, teaching and guiding us. Again, as a Muslim, I see myself very much in the tradition of Abraham (naturally enough) and his fellow prophets in the Hebrew line (may God’s peace be upon all of the prophets). Indeed, the Quran refers to a book given to Dawud (David, alaihi al-salam), known as the Zabur (Psalms).

‘[Psalm 23]
The Lord as Shepherd-king and host

1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters;
3 he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I fear no evil;
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff —
they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
my whole life long.’

Ma’as salama,
Abdur Rahman

Wa Huwa al-Zahir wa al-Batin…

Peace, one and all…

This poem attempts to explore the issue of authority in the spiritual quest. It marks a first stab at expressing some important issues I’ve recently been thinking about, so it’s a bit rough. Comments appreciated, as always…

‘And He is the Manifest and the Hidden: “Wa Huwa al-Zahir wa al-Batin”

Indeed, in all truth, everywhere you turn, there is the Face of God.

But I am a man, and aye, a broken one at that.

And yet, I exist in two worlds.

I have a body; I have a soul.

Walk the Path: find the guide.

Yet, from where will this guide come?

Will I, like the Mevlana, find my Shams al-Din enclothed in flesh?

Or must I seek for one hidden within?

I place too much trust in my own strength at my peril.

Yet, how can I distinguish a true guide from a false one?’

Hmmm… I’m not sure if I can put what I’m trying to say into words yet. I’ll try again later insha Allah.

Ma’as salama,
Abdur Rahman

Where Were You?

Peace, one and all…

‘”Better a penitent traveller, than a proud stay-at-home”.

O Soul, how proud your penitence is!

The Journey is from God, to God, with God.

O Soul, where were you when The Merciful God (al-Rahman) ‘sat upon the throne’, enshrined in Majesty?

Where were you when al-Musawwir fashioned the earth through His Living Will?

Where were you when your father Adam walked through Eden’s garden?

The answer is simple: ‘Truth stands clear from falsehood’

You were nowhere and you were nothing: ‘O would that I were dust’!

Therefore, do not walk proudly upon the earth.

Rather, live humbly and act mercifully.

And commit no wrong, that God may love you.

A host of murderous thieves lie in wait for those on unwary midnight journeys.

Walk carefully in the Valley of the Shadow of Death.

Pride is out of place before the Ever Living One (al-Hayy)’.

Ma’as salama,
Abdur Rahman

Vain Hopes…

Peace, one and all…

Here’s another brief poem.

‘Midnight sin and morning time repentance: Is a broken promise still a promise?

Or is it merely a case of smoke and mirrors? Cheap trash for cheap words.

Vain hopes and wistful dreams creep through the darkened undergrowth, like shadowy thieves.

A journey begun in moonlight, remains beautiful only whilst you walk in the light;

Step off the Path, into your inner darkness, and the journey has a different destination entirely.

Leave these things behind you, O grasping soul, lest you waste your life and dissipate your finite strength.

Still, when all is said and done, what choice is there other than: ‘Come back’?

Ya Afuww! Forgive the foolish deeds of Your foolish servant’.

Ma’as salama,
Abdur Rahman