slip-sliding away…..

* I wrote this a few hours before Ramadaan began this year…

Two hours and three minutes
until Heaven’s doors
are flung open.

Two hours and three minutes
until Hell’s doors
are slammed shut,
and the rebellious ones are restrained.

Two hours and three minutes
before Allah’s Mercy
starts to flood our realm:
day by day,
night by night,
hour by hour,
minutes and seconds ticking on
without rest.

Some didn’t live
to see this night:
loved ones
we always took for granted,
unexpectedly gone…

11 months ago –
their last fast.
11 months ago –
their last Taraweeh.
11 months ago –
their last Eid.

Yet we were granted
another year.
We were gifted
another chance.
An opportunity unparalleled…
a time to shake off
the dust from these hearts.

Clean away
the darkness
we so heedlessly collected.

Polish the vessel
which holds the key
to our eternal success.

Now is the time
to starve
our addictions
to screens and updates and never-ending fluff.

Now is the time
to shun
vain talk and gossip and words that do more harm than good.

Now is the time
to favour
silence over speech,
solitude over careless companions,
the Divine Word over matters of no benefit…
news and events and happening
which hold no sway
over our long-term ambitions
of returning
to our original Home.

Detox the body,
but don’t forget the mind.
Absorb only what’s good,
to your heart, be kind.

Ramadaan is upon us,
golden moments await.
Grab it with both hands
before it’s too late.