The Only Certainty

Peace, one and all…

I’ve just posted some of my most recent poetic reflections over at The Corner Reloaded.  Today’s theme is difference and disagreement.  Enjoy, and may Allah make these poems beneficial.  May He accept them as worship for His sake alone.

Unconnected Labels

My friend, the words that come out
of our mouths mean little
if they stand unconnected
to an inner sincerity.

Indeed, every word we speak is vain
if it does not lead us towards good character.

The garments we clothe our tongues with
are worth nothing if they do not cover
the nakedness of unworthy intentions.

This is why we must take and use
our labels with great care.

For in this world of myriad tongues,
can we ever truly say we understand
the spoken thoughts of another?

Ma’as salama,
Abdur Rahman

Spring Cleaning!

Peace, one and all…

I’m currently undertaking some spring cleaning, as the Corner has become a little tatty of late.  I’m shifting the links around, so that the more substantial link categories will now have dedicated pages.  Insha Allah, it’ll make navigation easier and will also make the Corner a bit easier on the eye.

Ma’as salama,
Abdur Rahman

Poetic Reflections

Peace, one and all…

I’ve posted quite a few new poetic reflections over at The Corner Reloaded.  As there are a few, I’ve split them into several themed posts.

1. This Rain of Me
2. Love’s Burden
3. The Beloved’s Larger Sky

Here are some samples…

This first offering is a poem written in praise of the Prophet (alaihi al-salatu wa al-salam).

The Sweetest of Circles

Why do I follow you?
Why have your footprints
become my earth and sky,
and your path
my food and drink?

I follow you
because I love you,
and thus it is love’s burden
that has brought me
to this place.

But, if I am to grow
I must know why I love you,
and I must follow this thread of love
through this cloth of life
to its very end.

I love you for your character,
as I love you for your gentle mercy.

I love you for the beauty of your soul,
as I love you for the strength of your words.

I love you for your extended hand,
as I love you for the work you came to do.

I love you for your stand against injustice,
as I love you for being the last of your kind.

I love you, then, for showing me the way
and I follow that path for love’s sake.

Isn’t this the sweetest of circles?

This Human Condition

Beloved, what wide horizons
You have shown me,
what open vistas You reveal.

Forgive me, then, Beloved
when this human condition
drives me into all the narrow
corners of my soul.

I want to say that
I will never be so driven again,
but we both know
that it would be a lie.

And, if I am to begin this
transformation into adulthood,
I must be honest,
finally.

So what, then, could I promise?
For I know that
without such strictures,
a human heart may wander.

Beloved, in the hour of my narrowness,
let me return quickly to You,
for I fear separation most of all.

Beloved, grant me the wisdom
to love, to see and to act.

Ma’as salama,
Abdur Rahman