I haven’t been able to write much lately due to an immense amount of work deadlines and other things going on. But this is a sadness and inshaallah I hope to do better. Alhamdulillah we have greeted the second Eid now passed and there was much to write about that, specifically with respect to a beautiful interfaith event I had the blessing of attending. Initiated by a dear friend, a Rabbi and carried out in a mosque with Muslim, Christian and Jewish brothers and sisters…all sharing and learning from the example of the great prophet Abraham (God bless and salute him). Alhamdulillah a beautiful event indeed.

Specifically we learned about how much Abraham must have loved (or must love) God, and what complete trust he had in the mercy of Allah that he could be ready to offer his son in sacrifice, not for a moment blinking from that immense trust that God is good. And how gloriously Allah rewarded him, terming him in the Quran ‘the friend of Allah’. Subhahanallah! what an immense title.

Here is a song I’ve been listening to today, sung in the sufi style, it speaks of this love of Allah.. this complete love for Allah. Ar Rahman, Ar Raheem. The source of all mercy, compassion, kindness, love. The true love.

Music : Shankar Ehsaan Loy
Singer: Rashid Khan
Lyrics : Niranjan Iyengar

Allah hi rahem, Maula hi rahem – 8
God is merciful, God is kind

Kaise ishq se sajh gayi raahein
Your love has adorned my path
Jab se dekhi hai teri nigaahein ya khuda
Since the day I felt your benign gaze oh God,
Main to tera ho gaya
I have become yours
Kaise ishq se sajh gayi raahein
Your love has adorned my path
Jab se dekhi hai teri nigaahein ya khuda
Since the day I felt your benign gaze oh God,
Main to tera ho gaya
I have become yours
Tu jo karam pharmaye, adam insaan ho jaaye
When you bestow your grace, we become non-entities

Mastana ho ke, deewana ho ke tujhe pal mein paa jaaye
Intoxicated (with your love) we become one with you
Saans-e-fiza mein tu hai, rooh-e-bayan mein tu hai
You’re in every breath, in every soul
Har ibtidaa mein, har inteha mein, har ek nazar-e-zabaan tu hai
You’re in every beginning and every end, in every gaze and word spoken
Allah hi rahem, maula hi rahem ..

O har zarre mein tu hai chupa
You can be seen in everything
Phir doondhe kyun tera pataa
Then why do we search for you
Tu hai dhoop mein, tu hai saaye mein
You’re in the warmth and in the cool shade
Apne mein hai, tu paraye mein
You’re in loved ones and in strangers
Allah, allah ..

Mere rom rom ki ek adaa
You’re in every part of me
Tu ishq mera, ae mere khuda
You are my love, my God
Har saans mein hai bas teri dua
Every breath I take is a gift from you
Tu ishq mera, ae mere khuda
You are my love, my God
Tujhe paane se badkar kuch bhi nahin
There’s nothing greater than receiving your love
Tujhe dekhte hi dil bole yahi
When I see you my heart sings…..
Allah, allah ..

Kaise ishq se sajh gayi raahein
Your love has adorned my path
Jab se dekhi hai teri nigaahein ya khuda
Since the day I felt your benign gaze oh God,
Main to tera ho gaya
I have become yours

Tu jo karam pharmaye, adam insaan ho jaaye
When you bestow your grace, we become non-entities
Mastana ho ke, deewana ho ke tujhe pal mein paa jaaye
Intoxicated (with your love) we become one with you
Saans-e-fiza mein tu hai, rooh-e-bayan mein tu hai
You’re in every breath, in every soul
Har ibtidaa mein, har inteha mein, har ek nazar-e-zabaan tu hai
You’re in every beginning and every end, in every gaze and word spoken

Allah hi rahem, Maula hi rahem ..
God is merciful, God is kind

It’s from the movie ‘My name is Khan’ (if you haven’t seen it, you must inshaallah :))…and isn’t it so telling that the lyrics are by actually penned by a Hindu and song sung by a Muslim. MashaAllah!