Thoughts on the solar anniversary of my entry into this world...

Alhamdulillah 'ala kulli haal.

How many a blessing that Merciful Lord has bestowed on this unworthy servant? How many a second chance has He provided? How much Love has He poured forth out of nothing, but His Pure Bounty and Largess?

Alhamdulillah.

The other day I spoke to my beloved sister on the Path of God and she mentioned that her family celebrates birthdays by getting together and reciting surah waqiyah and singing anasheeds. How mubarak a way of showing gratitude for life! May we all implement this blessed way, and on our birthdays, recite in praise of the Merciful Lord Who has bestowed us with life so that we may draw closer to Him.

Allahu Akbar!

Alhamdulillah, it's almost here...!

Date: Sun. March 8, 2009
Admission: Free

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contact@risalah.ca

The Road Not Taken - Robert Frost

Bismillah. Strange how another's words can often express one's own experience so well that it is as if one had written them oneself!

The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that, the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood,and I

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

The Fear of God - Robert Frost

Bismillah. I'm currently listening to Shaykh Hamza Yusuf's Refinement of the Heart CD set. Masha'Allah, as Salik commented, "classic Shaykh Hamza!" Anyhow, he mentions the following poem by Robert Frost which is just beautiful!

The Fear of God

If you should rise from Nowhere up to Somewhere,
From being No one up to being Someone,
Be sure to keep repeating to yourself
You owe it to an arbitrary god
Whose mercy to you rather than to others
Won’t bear to critical examination.
Stay unassuming. If for lack of license
To wear the uniform of who you are,
You should be tempted to make up for it
In a subordinating look or toe,
Beware of coming too much to the surface
And using for apparel what was meant
To be the curtain of the inmost soul.

- Robert Frost

Night among the ‘Alawiyya - The Wandering Troubadour

Bismillah. Our city was recently honoured by a visit by the noble master, Shaykh Nuh Keller. Among his many students, was our dear brother, the Wandering Troubadour. Below is his poem for the fuqara...yet another beautiful composition!

Night among the ‘Alawiyya

Paradise is in your company
O brethren hearts of ‘Alawi.

I came to your perfumed garden,
Your wandering cousin of Hashimi.

You took me in a full embrace.
Sweet love burned between you and me.

Paradise is in your company
O brethren hearts of ‘Alawi.

We poured our hearts into the air,
Loosed all chains, and set them free.

You took me and lowered my hood
And pure love was all I could see.

Paradise is in your company
O brethren hearts of ‘Alawi.

In your tender gaze, I was a
Virgin bride unveiled and ready.

We shared more than words understood.
Words danced in speechless ecstasy.

Paradise is in your company
O brethren hearts of ‘Alawi.

Hand-in-hand and hand-in-sleeve
We danced and roared our love fully.

With your eyes you pointed our hearts,
Your breath was ours, a living sea.

Paradise is in your company
O brethren hearts of ‘Alawi.

Wave upon wave pounded until
No cruel shore could resist our plea.

Allah. Allah. Allah, Sidi!
This port of love was destiny.

Paradise is in your company
O brethren hearts of ‘Alawi.