Friends

Family is family and is no way, good or bad, that one can choose them

While friends one can meet aplenty but the one who sticks around is the gem

I never chose to meet you though, as even the first time we hardly greeted

What was to follow was an amazing friendship that I did not believe anything could beat it.

 

I cherish those times when a phone call, a message or a visit made my day

A bond that developed that looked strong that nothing could come in its way

In the quiet of the night, while asleep, a dark cloud may have enveloped our friendship

Your silence ever so deafening as the messages and phone calls you let slip

 

A broken heart I have for I know not what I have done to cause you any distress

Your friendship means so much to me that even now I pray that God you do bless

The joys that you brought to my life for that I can never in any way repay

Some people slip out of one’s life slowly and quietly but you seemed in a rush to get away

 

I sit and wonder about all the times we had and hope that you will soon you will be there

There where we shared much with each other and such was the love our hearts did bear

You have always been a special friend to me and your absence I cannot accept

Pray I will that my shortcomings you will pardon because in my heart our friendship I have kept.

 

The Bond

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

The glue that sticks it all together has become undone. Slowly the world is fragmenting. Each one is on a path of his own. When he does offer a helping hand, the world remains resistant to such aid. But mostly it is that the world has become immune to bonding and adhesive. At best such bonding is merely for pleasure but holds little value and soon the cracks appear yet again.

This phenomenon is much the order of the day in families, in groups of friends and in communities. One would have thought that each grouping would have its own special bonding like the old saying that blood is thicker than water. But, while that may yet be true, the bond is no longer one of strength. This is not an overnight problem, but one that has been on the cards for a while, yet many turned a blind eye.

Somebody made a comment recently saying that “our generation are going to make the weirdest grandparents”. That may have so many meanings and while the one who said this may have meant something totally different, the reality is perhaps that the gap between families and generations are forever widening. Technology is likely to be a key form of bonding because the natural human contact is no longer high on the agenda.

Perhaps in days gone by a strong family member held the family together. Perhaps in days gone by friends trusted each other and built strong relationships. Perhaps in days gone by communities were held together because of the influence of strong elders. Some may argue that therein lie the problem. The problem may be that these strong influencers did not necessarily pass on the baton. These influencers did not teach others the values to lead, they did not mentor. But shall we merely place the problem at their feet and claim innocence?
The world is falling apart and we merely embrace each other for others to see, for the picture. We have done much scientific research, business has advanced, sports has changed with technology and yet human relations has become merely an academic subject and no longer the pulse of our lives. Our own selfishness, our own absolute independence, our own self-righteousness has made us islands. While wars are being fought in Iraq and Afghanistan, our own missile launchers are aimed at anyone who encroaches, even though well-meaning, and often those who encroach are those we know like family and friends,.

As another person recently reminded me “when life gives you a hundred reasons to cry, show life a thousand reasons to smile” – likewise when those in our circle make us sad, think of the many joys they bring us and if these aren’t many, find the one thing that you appreciate about them. Let those around us share with love. Love each other with our hearts. It is no co-incidence that we, as Muslims greet by saying “peace be unto you” – we look that person in the eye and say that you and everything about you is safe from my tongue, my thoughts and I bear no ill-feeling towards you.
Spread peace and through the cleansing of the heart, perhaps love will grow. Perhaps it is too late to save this world, but for you and I, we can still live with each other in peace and harmony by living with love. Perhaps in our own small way, two may become four and before long families may have re-learnt this beautiful thing called love, the real love, the real bond.

I pray that the Almighty Allah guides us and instils in our hearts that love for each other that even death will not take away.

Where the truth resides

In the name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Especially Merciful

What is there to say when all words are spoken

Opinions are voiced such that bonds are broken

Perhaps we have reached a time when few are wise

Sadly this may indeed be why people do not realise

That in relating issues we need to be more circumspect

For with that we do the dignity of others protect

But for sure this is exactly what some are against

When it is the blood of a person that is sensed

Evil indeed are people with hearts impure

Rejoicing at the pain a brother may endure

The tongue is actively broadcasting the message

Of truthful content there is merely a vestige

In silence there may yet be more benefit

Than the talk emanating from a poisonous pit

How much better if we do make the heart pure

Then with that our words may indeed be a cure

So moisten rather your tongue with remembrance of your Lord

Evil indeed is the one whose tongue puts others to the sword

Let us all speak the truth and let all animosity cease

Embrace one another with a sincere greeting of peace

Paint me a Picture

In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Especially Merciful

Paint me a picture that I will never forget

Paint me a picture that will not cause me to fret

It must be more beautiful than the eye can see

It must allow my wildest imagination to run free

Show me amazing gardens with rivers below

Show me lovely mountains with a hint of snow

Let it be such that it will create a yearning in the heart

Such that of this picture I will want to be a part

If you are not yet able to paint me this picture

Know that in my thoughts this is already a fixture

So while you think about what I am saying

Let me remind you that the one to whom I am praying

He, My Lord, has already set for me the scene

To be part of it He wants me to be is on His Deen*

So when I look around at the happenings of the day

I am glad that He has given to me Islam as the way

The world is a mess such was Satan’s promise

Some have sold this picture as if it was mere commerce

So how to get this picture you may be wondering

Take the straight path without in any way meandering

Along the way you may get many offers to explore

But if you do that only trouble will be in store

You simply have to hold tightly to the Guide

Then with the garden you will be more than satisfied.

*deen -  a religion. For Muslims it is a way of life