slip-sliding away…..

The wise ones emphasise that two disparate things can be true at the same time. For example, one can mourn the destruction of lives and lands playing out in various parts of the world, but also feel joy at something positive happening on a personal level in their life.

At this moment, the world is chaotic and terrifying, with talk of Armageddon-type war. There are monstrous tyrants in charge, backed by immense, centuries-strong systems of dominance. And they seem eager to plunge us into these times.

Of course, the vast majority of humanity do not want this. We want peace. We want dialogue. We know there are better ways to handle differences.

But we have no choice.

We have no say in what these rulers do. Gaza made that crystal clear. It exposed our outward helplessness, and their utter dominance.

It showed us – more clearly than ever before – what the agendas are, and who is in charge of these superpowers. And those same devils have rushed headlong into this new war.

And it looks like they have power. It looks like no one can stop them. Like they rule this earth.

But looks can be deceiving.

There’s an inner reality to everything we see with our physical eyes. And the reality to their tyranny and wanton killing and land grabs is that they are being given rope to hang themselves.

“Do not think (O Prophet) that Allah is unaware of what the wrongdoers do. He only delays them until a Day when their eyes will stare in horror — rushing forth, heads raised, never blinking, hearts void. And warn the people of the Day when the punishment will overtake the wicked among them, and the wrongdoers will cry, “Our Lord! Delay us for a little while. We will respond to Your call and follow the messengers!” ˹It will be said,˺ “Did you not swear before that you would never be removed to the next life?”

Quran: Surah 14, verses 42 – 44

It feels like the escalation of major events in recent years – COVID, Gaza, and now this – seem to indicate we’re rapidly approaching the end of times (in which case, as Muslims, we were warned of the horrors to still come).

But while these darknesses invade our world and thoughts, beautiful things are also happening too. Both publicly and on individual levels.

Because two disparate things can be true at the same time.

For me, last night, that beauty was the full moon. She mesmerised me. Walking outside, I saw her in all her glory – illuminating wisps of cloud that were never too thick to overpower her. And back home, her soft light gently spilled onto our room floor through closed blinds and curtains. These glowing lines of light entering our room – our home – uninvited, but certainly welcome.

And she stirred my heart. I wished to just sit and gaze upon her – this celestial being, a sign of God’s majesty – and soak in the lessons and feelings that were being gifted to me through noticing these wondrous visions.

But I couldn’t stay up. I couldn’t bask in her glow in solitude for as long as I wanted. Because these Ramadaan nights in Summer are too short. The demands the next day are too intense.

I needed rest. I needed to sleep. But Alhamdullilah – I thank God for the moments I was able to enjoy, and I hope for future opportunities to sit with her more fully, in easier times.