The Rope of Allah

 

The rope of Allah is anything we need it to be

To pull us safely back on His Path and away from His Wrath

The rope of Allah is dua, a step in the right direction,  Money or time well spent

The rope of Allah is a kind deed, a good word,

A ghusl taken for salat or a single day’s fast

The rope of Allah is in choosing not to go out, go away,

Or go back to harmful people, places or things

The rope of Allah is in seeking counsel, taking advice,

Asking what’s right, spending the night at home–alone

The rope of Allah is in tossing out bottles, bags, packages

And containers of food, liquor, haram or illegal substances

The rope of Allah is in the child, the spouse

Or the career that we fear losing—and will

Unless we return to the path

The rope of Allah is in the clothes

That protect from prying eyes

It is in dreams, insight, a quest for knowledge

Or understanding of what’s really wrong and right

Sometimes His rope is just a rope

A thing not there a moment ago

But now in your need to keep your car on the road

It is in the empty trunk that you cleaned out just this morning

The rope of Allah is long enough to reach us

Through the years of our lives

And quicker than the instant we repent

And admit we’re in trouble

It may be money suddenly found

In an empty, twice-checked pocket

In reading the Quran

Or a voice on the phone–

Salaam alaikum, where’ve you been?

Our hands must reach for it

Our hearts must open to what it will teach us

Our tears must clear our vision

To let us see it in front of us

The rope of Allah is a gift from His Mercy

It is what He gives us even though we’re never worthy

 

UmmUmar © 2007