While I was doing some early Spring cleaning, I found a couple of my old journals.
Alhamduleelah, I love being able to go through my journals and see all the growth and stagnation, too. LoL. I'm human change is slow and hard often. But we say the hamd belongs to the Most High, as long we can continue struggle for His sake, it's going to be alright sooner or later.
One poem that jumped out at me was one I penned July 1, 2001 - the day after I birthed my first child and from whom Allah has blessed me with my kunya, Umm Juwayriyah. I don't know what possessed me to even bring a journal to the birthing suite. I was struggled in hard labor for 22 hours before that girl was born! Not a second did I have to write before or during. But I find it really sobering to know I was able to write something coherent the next day, lol. I believe I shared this with my sisters on the Islamic Writers Alliance when I came home. I am going to share again and hopefully my tween will see it in her Google feed and +1 it for herself or for me...but she might not, lol.
To the child I bore,
Listen,
For my words
I share with you
As a gift waiting to be unwrapped
Hoping and praying
They will help you
And keep you strong
For as long as
You tread through this life-
Know that the deen you’ve been blessed with
Is a routine
not a birthright
A practice of ways
A guide from going
Astray
So obey Allah and protect your prayers
As it will be the first of your affairs
Judged
Listen plenty
Even when the words
Aren’t being spoken by your Ummi
Because being respectful is a trait for only those possessing real inner
Beauty
Don’t be tricked
Or fooled
By any claiming your honor
Lies simply in your backside
Or your front
Side
For Allah will give due for any
Plenty
When you put Him first
Never look to those with more and be green
The keys to the unseen
Don’t belong to you
What you’ve been given
Is enough
So do your best with what you have
Say Mashallah and remember to always be glad
Never take a way
Without seeking guidance first
Study the Qur’an
Letter for letter, word for word
And then set it into your memory
The speech of Allah will
Be a friend to you – when you are alone
A comforter – when you are sad and
A protector – when you are afraid
The days and years we have together
Are numbered
For only a certain amount of time
By the One who is Divine
But these lines of mine
Treasure
Even when
You no longer can feel the warmth coming from my skin
By Allah
You and I
Shall meet again
To the I child I bore
I want nothing more
For you
Than righteousness
Never cease giving
And you will see your needs fulfilled
Stand for truth and don’t be shy about it
Evil and lies will never make you feel good inside
Don’t worry about being everyone’s friend
One good companion
Is like being with a champion
Your word is like gold
Honor it
And those who you give it to
Through your hijab
You are known
As a Muslima
A title not given to many
So proudly represent
This gift and
Never
Ever
Forget or
Belittle It
The days and years we have together
Are numbered
For only a certain amount of time
By the One who is Divine
But these lines of mine
Treasure
Even when
You no longer can feel the warmth coming from my skin
By Allah
You and I
Shall meet again
To the child I bore
Always do more
For the believers are always hopeful
Be easy to smile and
Be hard to anger
Know that talk is cheap
So let your actions earn your esteem
Have Faith and
Then believe patiently
Allah is in Charge and owns the victory
Give the salaam to those you know
And those you don’t
Islam is known
Its worth is more than any
Precious stone
Follow what’s authentic
while
Everything else
Leave alone
Be careful of talking too much
And don’t do anything in a rush
Put your trust in Allah
Without taking it away
Pray for your Baba and me
That we have success in this life
As well as the next
The days and years we have together
Are numbered
For only a certain amount of time
By the One who is Divine
But these lines of mine
Treasure
Even when
You no longer can feel the warmth coming from my skin
By Allah
You and I
Shall meet again
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