‘When the Soul Awakes’ 🕯️🤍

• A poem for the hour when the soul remembers its purpose.

The quiet of the early morning

The cold mist in the air,

The stillness of slumber and soft dreams.

Early risers and their fight against natural desires

to remain asleep in their slumber and not be awoken—

a fight against their very own addiction

to the comfort of the limbs,

and a fight for the comfort of the soul

provided by prayers.

They waken and take their steps toward the bathroom,

washing away any remnants of sleep painted over their faces.

As they brush their teeth and complete their ablution,

they return to their comfort spot,

setting up their prayer mat

and making intentions to converse

with our Lord of the heavens and the Earth

and everything in between—

a sacred union between a servant of God

and God Almighty Himself.

A union which strengthens

and provides divine nutrition for their heart and soul;

a daily rendezvous at fajr

and throughout the day as appointed by the Lord.

The pious find comfort within their pillars,

while the wicked find discomfort

in anything ordained by God Almighty.

The servant is well aware

of the deceptive and illusionary nature of this world,

and is hyper-aware that in this journey we call life

their purpose is to please their Lord

and fulfil their duties

in order to receive the beautiful blessing of Paradise—

because real life only begins in the afterlife.