Right on Time
Bismillah
As-Salaamu Alaikum Nurayn!
Remember when we told you before how creative our qabeelah was? MashaAllah! The following was written by Bro. Shad Aadil Imam. The name of the piece is “Long Overdue,” but alhamdulillah, we think it’s right on time…
Long Overdue…
Fourteen centuries have passed, yet your words are so near,
As I open you up, I begin to tremble with fear.
For I know the message and commandments are clear,
And I sheepishly ask myself, “Where was I all year?”
“Why did I not turn to your pages when in need?”
“Why did I not follow your commandment to read?”
“Why did I seek solace in material things of this world…
“When all I had to do was your pages uncurl?”
How arrogant was I to go for so very long,
And have no conversation with the Holy Quran?
I blow off the dust and I open you anew,
The words, same as before — the cover, a different hue.
Your Opening chapter – the verses so powerful, yet lean,
Alhamdulillahi Rabbil Alameen.
Chapter after chapter, I learn the lessons of old,
From the lives of Musa, and Ibrahim and Yusuf — foretold.
And the story of Adam, our father, and Nuh, Isa, our guides
And of Shaytan ar-Rajeem, who promises us nothing but lies.
How arrogant was I to go for so very long
And have no conversation with the Holy Quran?
In Ramadan these pages are turned each day and each night
At times I smile, or I cry, and at times, I tremble in fright.
For I realize that in reading this Holy Book from my shelf
That Quran al-Hakeem knows me better than I know myself.
It tells me of my pettiness & jealousy & my attitude towards life,
That I think myself to be sufficient, no one else need suffice.
The more I read & reflect & understand the words so Divine,
The more I realize that this – Al-Quran – is the cure for all
ailments of mine.
How arrogant was I to go for so very long,
And not turn the pages of the Holy Quran?
While fasting this blessed month, I reflect on my life,
What have I done for Allah, or even for others in strife?
I work all day long — emails, phone calls and meetings galore.
Do I take the time to remember the Ultimate Meeting –
with my Lord?
So vivid a scene of that Day of Judgment is shown,
In the words of Allah, enshrined in the Holy Quran.
A day that will last for 50,000 years – so long!
With scorching heat and destruction and horrors unknown.
And I ask myself, how arrogant was I to go for so long
And have no conversation with Allah’s Holy Quran?
I begin to despair in days void of dhikr & remembrance of Allah,
Instead they’re filled with sins – on TV, at work, or in the car.
But I recall the words of Rasulullah*, in the sand dunes,
“Kul ibne-Adam khatta, wa khayr al-khatta-een at-
-tawwaaboon.”
Thus, turning in repentance to Allah is my goal,
To avoid the Fire in which men and stones serve as coal,
And attain felicity in the highest levels of Jannah
And to drink from the hand of our beloved Rasulullah*
And to think that I was arrogant for so very long,
To go without conversing with the Holy Quran.
The fruits and mansions of Paradise – described so clear,
In the Book of Allah, those very same words that we hear
During each night we are blessed to attend another Taraweeh
Behind our beloved Imams, Samiullah and Ibrahim.
It teaches us to be kind, compassionate, and people of mercy
To love one another and fight all indecency.
It teaches us that our guide, our example, is none other than he,
The one that wept at night making dua for you and me.*
For his Companions were the ones who lived & dined with him,
But his Brothers, he said, are ones who without seeing,
believe in him.
So much wisdom & guidance, so many verses to light my way,
As I try to be a better Muslim each and every single day.
I commit myself this Ramadan, and urge you to follow my lead,
To start a conversation this year, with the Book we all need.
Do not be arrogant, like I was, to go for so very long,
Without having a conversation with the Holy Quran.
This month is our chance to make right with Allah,
Fill it with dhikr, and good works, and recitation of Quran.
And make dua for yourself, your families and the ummah,
For Allah’s forgiveness and mercy and guidance on all.
And late at night, if you recall, this short reminder from me,
Make dua for Qabeelate Nurayn, community and my family.
Ten minutes I was given, in sha Allah this has been less,
My main message for those that have not heard the rest
Is make sure that this year, you make it a point to stay on –
Consistently, regularly converse with the Holy Quran.
* sall Allahu alayhi wasallam (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)
1 “All of the children of Adam are prone make mistakes, and the best of those who make mistakes are those who turn in repentance to Allah.”
nurayeniiyah
September 9, 2008
MashaAllah great poem.
So true.
Thanks for writing & thanks nurayn for posting.
Halima
September 9, 2008
Asalama Aley’kum
Mashallah this poem is so beautiful and definitely a great reminder for all. Would u mind posting it somewhere on the forums inshallah for all to benefit
Qmajd
Halima
September 9, 2008
p.s Beautiful website aswell mashallah