17 May STRIVING TO INSPIRE WRITING COMPETITION: ENTRY 107
ALL IT TAKES IS A SPARK…
An empty feeling deep inside
A heavy heart and a troubled mind
These are the burdens I bear
The price of trading a diamond
For lustreless cut glass.
Now the shards lay scattered around me
Wearily I pick them up,
Bleeding over the sharp fragments…
Regret breathes some life into me,
And like a touch of fresh sweetened air
My dead heart heeds a faint call
It begins to stir,
Responding to the promise
Of a life of peace and contentment…
And in earnest it begs me,
Pleading, o self!
You ignored the gaze of your Beloved for too long
Yet He had not turned away in hurt
Rather it was you who ran in shame
Now He can no longer watch you self destruct…
His love for His servants never falters
Hear His Call! Heed his Words!
Free yourself from doubt,
From the false promises
Of this deceptive world
Turn to him in hope
For He has stayed in love.
Your regret is your penance
Your tears and deep sighs more punishment than necessary
Renew your Love,
Submit to Him!
Promise me that you will never abandon Him!
The distance to bridge is far
But He has promised to be the wind that will take you there…
So I gave in, listened to the voice I had ignored for too long
I set my sight on the heavens
Wrenched my thoughts from those dark recesses
Placed my trust into His capable Hands
And…I am reborn…
Mighty is my Saviour
Merciful is my Lord
Drunk on love is this sinner!
******************
This is what inspired me to do hifdh; this new, floundering love affair with my Beloved Rabb…my heart had experienced a spiritual rebirth after years of death and darkness. I was once surrounded by darkness. Lost in it. It was an all encompassing blackness; a suffocating, weighty blackness that left me empty, restless and alone. I did my ritualistic worship that was expected of me, but it lacked sincerity, lacked love. It was a cold, hard and lustreless fulfilment of duty.
But as always, the hour is darkest before the dawn. A believer’s soul is a unique creation. It is never content with anything besides that which it was created for, i.e. loving Allah. When the soul feels dead and tarnished, it attempts to reconnect with Allah. It is like a magnet in its relationship with its Creator. My heart led me to realise, that in order to rekindle the flame of Allah’s love within my chest, I had to start with that which came directly from him, i.e. His beautiful words, the Qur’an. So began my journey on the sacred path of memorisation of the Blessed Book. My heart balked at the thought of ever having to return to the crippling darkness that had held it captive for so long. This fear provided the determination I needed to commit to the task before me.
And so,hifdh led me to discover the greatest treasure ,the sweet fountain of Allah’s Love. Alhamdulillah I have completed my hifdh amidst many moments of both tears and joy. But,the road to Allah is always under construction. Insha Allah this Quran will help light my way to that ultimate goal…becoming a true, sincere lover and worshipper of the Most Merciful.Ameen.
Written by: Mariam Vawda
Khadeeja
Posted at 08:30h, 17 MaySo beautiful Masha Allah. I actually got goosebumps. I nominate this one.
tasneem
Posted at 12:19h, 17 Maywow! mashaAllah..i can identify with this one. Amazing writing. I nominate this one too…
Naadirah
Posted at 15:43h, 17 MaySubhanallah, I don’t have the appropriate words to describe how amazing I think this is. Masha Allah. It has touched me deeply.
Ayaah
Posted at 18:56h, 17 MaySubhan’Allah, this is truly beautiful. I nominate this one as well.
Sarrah
Posted at 18:23h, 18 MayMashaAllah, great job sister:)
Naseema
Posted at 23:18h, 19 MayMaryam, you never fail to amaze us with your gift of poetry!
May your love affair never end…. glad u can inspire others as you inspire us. Attending madrasa while writing matric IS a big thing in this day and age but in the bigger picture of life, see how a small sacrifice paid off. May Allah keep your Quraan strong, always.Aaisha and I vote for this one as well
Sadiyya
Posted at 18:37h, 20 MayMy dear sister Mariam
I was really hoping u would submit an entry, and wow! Mashallah! May Allah bless you in your gift of writing, and may the light of the Quran shine through your words, thoughts and actions:)
U have my vote!
Shaheda
Posted at 21:57h, 20 MayMashaAllah. You are truly an inspiration to us all. May Allah accept your efforts and continue to bestow his blessings on you, Ameen.
Definitely gets my VOTE!
zakiya
Posted at 23:07h, 21 MayMaryam, this is beautiful:)Masha Allah! Definitely gets my vote 2!!!May you continue to inspire and motivate all those around you, inshallah:)
Rabia
Posted at 21:30h, 23 MaySubhanallah,captivating and heart- rendering May Allah always allow every aspiring haafidah to be inspired and motivated by your words and may Allah continue to bless you with His favours.You have my vote.
Zaheera
Posted at 21:25h, 16 JuneAmazing words maryam..very inspirng masha-allah! May allah make us 4m amongst those who’s lives r lived in accordnce to the quraan.. Aameen =)