True Submission

By: Sahar Hussain



On the peak of an arid mountain,
bordering the valley of love
stood Ibrahim Khalil Allah;
an ardent devotee of God,
submitting to His eminent will.
" Father ", his youth whispered,
" proceed and fulfill what is asked of you,
for truly Allah is with the patient. "
After an eyeful at his young prince,
he faced the heavens and cried a whisper
as though asking his Lord
to fill his bosom with endurance.
A painful sigh escaped his heart,
as he sharpened the knife
With eyes filled with tears,
Ibrahim laid his beloved in prostration
with his forehead facing the soil
" Father ", a second whisper,
" Look afar from me,
whilst you run the knife against my throat ."
Ibrahim directed the knife towards his neck,
cutting right across the vein
When Allah called upon him ...
" Oh Ibrahim you have fulfilled the dream,
and are among the righteous ones. "
The vision fades ...
Ali Akbar - a second Ismail;
lying motionless on a scorching sand dune,
with his face smeared in blood.
His weak eyes searching for his father,
as Hussain rushes towards the field.
Why does the distance separating him and his Ali,
seem so bitterly long?
The sight of his youth drowning in blood,
with a spear penetrating his heart,
made Hussain fall on his knees.
Hussain rubbed his palms on Akbar's chest,
where the blood gushed in force
whispering to his darling son;
" My Ali, Oh light of my eyes,
my grand father Muhammad (s.a.w) shall come and receive you
drink from the bowl which he holds in his hand
and quench your thirst. "
Hussain prostrated on the soil of Kerbala,
in submission and humility, he glorified his Lord,
for accepting his sacrifice.
Allah then reveals at Kerbala ...
O the contented soul!
Return towards your Lord,
you being pleased with Him, and He pleased with you!