'Soul - ly You' (a poem)

As comfortable as I may have appeared in the past

The images seen were merely facades.

The mirrors an object, the truths never told

So by the grace of my Lord I begin to unfold.

Many things in my life play significant roles

I've striven to save others, and now need to save my soul.

Thus, receiving contentment, peace, joy and love

Are truly great blessings, solely granted from Above.

© Feb 08 Umm Thameenah

Just because . . . (a poem)

Just because I choose not to discuss my tests with others, doesn’t mean my tests do not exist…

Just because it appears as though I have ease, doesn’t mean that pain fails to persist…

Just because I try to enquire about others, and take it upon myself to be one with whom they can confide…

By Allah, it doesn’t mean that the smile plastered upon my face, prevents me from crying deep inside…

Love and hate... in moderation

I take great comfort in the words of my Beloved (Swt). Whose Words never fail to touch the core of my heart, nor the depths of my soul:

"And it may be that you hate a thing though it is good for you,

And love a thing though it is bad for you.

Allah (Swt) Knows and you know not." [2:216]

Thus, do not love a thing too much,

for the thing which you so love,

you may one day grow to hate.

And do not hate a thing too much,

for the thing which you so hate,

you may one day grow to love.

Rather have moderation in all that you do,

and remember that Allah (Swt) is Ever-Watchful over you.

Companions Fillah

Yesterday morning, a little after salatul Fajr I proceeded with my weekend routine; reading and responding to emails and messages. All praise truly belongs to Allah (Swt), for He (Swt) was fully Aware, of the gift that was about to be bestowed upon me; a powerful reminder for the start of (what I pray will be) a blessed new Islamic year: Muharram, 1429.

A dear sister had sent me a video clip of a footage retrieved from a traffic light camera... Who could possibly have imagined that a man merely crossing the road would, in a split second, lose his life? Those that have seen the footage, will know exactly what I'm talking about: The road appears to be clear, for the light has just turned red. However, a driver that decides to continue going, causes an accident that every driver dreads and every pedestrian fears. SubhaanAllahi wa bihamdih, subhaanAllahil-Adheem.

By Allah (Swt), I couldn't have asked for a more powerful reminder . . .

How ironic? It has almost been a year, just a little under, that my Lord (Swt) blessed me with yet another powerful reminder. I use to sit in the rare company of two companions; two dear companions, with whom, I would remind and be reminded of the purpose of our existence and the reality of our world, with our conversations often streaming to what our Prophet (saw) described as: "the destroyer of desires" - the remembrance of death.

And as I sit reminiscing the beautiful and profound experiences, the three desperate companions yearning for the pleasure of their Lord shared with one another, I can't help but feel a sincere lump in my throat. Truly the distance of time and the absence of things once rendered dear, can either lose its significance or be strengthened even more. Alhamdulillah, for I've only come to experience the latter.

So, I dedicate this reminder to those of you that have been blessed enough to experience the true beauty of companionship for the sake of Allah (Swt); those of you that are awaiting such companionship; but especially, to the dear and beloved Companions Fillah with whom I experienced one of my most profound reminders to date. . .

"With tears in our eyes we passed by the graves of the dear Muslimuun, Mu'minuun and Muhsinuun, reminding ourselves that we too would one day return to our Beloved (Swt). Side-by-side we walked, exchanging unspoken words of truth and silent promises, that will never be forgotten".

© Umm Thameenah Feb 2007

[An extract from Umm Thameenah's work in progress: "A road less travelled".]

'Whithering thoughts'

The world is filled with metaphors;

For metaphors is all she sees.

She steals a glance of silence

Pondering over what she once longed to be.

Her thoughts, striving hard to fight memories

Such memories that could have eaten her alive.

So she retreats to a comforting reality;

'All that seems real cannot fulfill

Thus it must one day die'.

© Jan 2007 Umm Thameenah

'And so I ask. . .?'

Do you even see me? Or not?

Am I something you acknowledge from within?

Have you ever asked me? Or not?

I've never once uttered that I was free of sin.

Do I look content to you? Or not?

Though you clearly recognise the twinkle in my eyes.

. . . Am I oppressed? Absolutely not!

For I live, to return beyond the skies.

© Dec 2007 Umm Thameenah

Our forgotten reality

There are no words to really describe the feeling of loss. . . The feeling as though something you've known, loved and cherised can so easily be taken away.

The reality of our life remains misunderstood. We are the possessions of Allah (Swt) and He (Swt) can do with us, whatever He (Swt) Wills. Yet through His immeasurable Mercy and Kindness, He provides us with the perfect means to seek His love. A love that awakens hearts and fulfills empty souls - the true sweetness of emaan.

How many times I'd pondered over this saying; the sweetness of emaan, and wondered what it truly meant. Now, whether Allah (Swt) has ever bestowed its treasures upon me, He (Swt) Knows Best, however the pearls and jewels that He (Swt) has enable me to witness; the sweetness that has touched my heart and soul is. . . truly beyond description, leaving no words to do justice to its weight.

. . . So I ask (myself first and foremost), what has been prepared for the standing before Allah (Swt)?