Farewell, O month of mercy.

Just as you left a year ago,
you exit once more…
the cyclical departure
and arrival
we embrace year after year,
never knowing
which will be our last.

The fatigue
of early mornings
and late nights.

The grinding emptiness
of the vessel now shrunk down…
saved,
this month,
in daylight hours,
from the pollution
we usually inflict
in the mindless consumption
of life unrestrained
for 11 months per year.

The unified worship
night after night:
one nation
under one God
reciting one Book…
the Greatest Words
ever spoken,
gifted
to a foolish creation
who took on the Divine Trust
that even mountains could not bear**.

And when the angels raised concern
about the carnage we would spread –
atrocities we witnessed this very month
by black-hearted monsters
whose Hellish fates are well deserved –
He told them…
His wisdom supersedes their fears,
For He knew what they did not***.

Unlike those angels, we –
with all our free will –
choose to submit,
hard as it sometimes is,
seeking His eternal reward…
a just recompense
after the trials
of a realm that was never meant
to be our permanent residence.

So, as Ramadaan fades,
we bid a tearful farewell,
hoping to maintain the good
until – if Allah wills –
we meet again.

Notes:

1. The post title refers to the farewell song usually sung in Cape Town to bid farewell to the month:

https://youtu.be/DhDGrYcWruI?si=EhF-piJsHZEfrZv9

2. Quran 33:72

3. Quran 2:30. Also related to this, watch Dr Jeffrey Lang’s talk on the purpose of life.