ALIMAT O. ABDULKAREEM

For years, it lived on borrowed minds and breath.
So today, let’s gather on the occasion of its death.
The earth has upon it an unfriendly friend
That feeds on the minds and future of slaves.

Strong men carried a coffin no carpenter had built.
For no one needed to ask, everyone knew
It was the oldest controller of the human mind.
Who had swallowed unfinished dreams of mankind.

It built no house of brick or stone, unlike Rome.
With its prison of no bars, just saying, “Don’t roam.”
“Don’t speak your mind or you’ll stand alone.”
“Don’t strive, don’t trust, else you’ll surely fail.”

On this day he had no shroud but borrowed clothes:
Concern, anxiety, procrastination, regret and doubt.
A wise one stepped forward and declared, “Today we bury Fear.”
The fear of wealth, influence, man and worldly heirs.

With total silence (solitude) emerged Taqwah,
In his right hand we sighted Tawakkul.

He came in garments, reading, ‘Trust in Allah.’
And all other fears were buried, leaving that of Allah.
Truly, fear slowly dies when a servant stands with his Lord.
The first time the truth was spoken, not minding the cost.

The fear of wealth keeps one poor.
That of people leaves you unsure.
Fear of Allah surely uplifts the heart
More than fear of fire preserves the hand.

Remember,

Fear of Allah is reserving that reverential awe
For only Him, not thinking He is one heavenly deity with claws.

Also remember,

“But yes, whoever fulfils his commitment and fears Allah – then indeed, Allah loves those who fear Him.” [Surah Ali’Imran verse 76]

“But those who have feared their Lord – for them are chambers, above them chambers built high, beneath which rivers flow. (This is) the promise of Allah. Allah does not fail in [His] promise.” [Surah az-Zumar verse 20]


And as the people turned for home,
The wind carried no cry, nor plea.
Only a verse and a reminder He reveals:
“Unquestionably, (for) the allies of Allah there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve.” [Surah Yunus verse 62]