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Guest of the Beneficent (Hajj)
by
Safi Abdi
Friday, January 14, 2005
Rated "G" by the Author.
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It was the happiest moment of my life a few years ago when Allah the Most Gracious gave me His permission to visit Him, at His House. I was in a daze. Though I talk to Allah everyday in my prayers and in my heart, visiting His house and practically answering His call is a totaly different experience. As the impact of this sublime opportunity dawned on me I set about making my preparations. I was about to visit a most beloved Friend and I needed to be prepared, body and soul. Hajj is not about just going on any trip, it's about total obedience, hope and ultimate submission. It's a test of one's Sincerity.
Hajj(pilgrimage to Mecca) is one of the five pillars of Islam and is to be performed at least once in a lifetime, if one is able to do so. Hajj is a spiritual experience, the ultimate submission, and no words can do justice to the feelings of joy one feels during the few days spent as an honored "Guest of the Beneficent". The Ka'bah, the Cube shaped structure in the middle of the Mosque is the first house of worship on the face of the earth. History has it that the black stone that's situated within the Ka'bah came down from Paradise and was brought by the Angel Jibril (Gebriel). The stone was initially white but the sins of the sons of Adam turned it into black. The Ka'bah's foundation was raised by the prophet Ibraham (Abraham) and his son Ismael (Ishmael). When the Muslim performs the Hajj he's simply following in the footsteps of the prophet Ibrahim. My intention is not to explain the Hajj rites, there are many Islamic sites on the net that can give the reader a learned explanation of what Hajj is all about: For those who are interested in finding out more about this religious experience I'll paste a couple of sites at the foot of the poem for their perusal.
The following poem merely reflects my own personal feeling of what this journey meant to this spiritual traveler. Some two million "Invitees" perform Hajj each year and the sheer numbers of devotees is an humbling experience for each "invitee". This is the House of God and the people who answer the call are called: "Guests of the Beneficent."
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Guest of the Beneficent
Guest of the Beneficent
Is a bare-footed beggar
A poor thing invited by One Rich and Mighty
To answer the call of a lifetime,
a pledge made to God.
Guest of the Beneficent is a humble follower
Of a humble prophet, himself a follower
In the footsteps of his father Abraham,
For the first to make the call was Abraham
To this house of God and from him sprang
Prophets by the Beneficent blessed, chosen.
Guest of the Beneficent on the path
Of such a one blessed with modest walks
All pretense and ornaments shed
Eyes fixed heart trembling hands raised
A willing guest in tears drenched
The guest is a single entity in a sea of guests
Swimming in tears remorseful
For the flesh is weak and man given to haste…
Guest of the Beneficent is humbled
By feelings of smallness felt
Insignificant he's for once lost
In an ocean of devotees
he looks towards the Lord
With heart longing for freedom
From a self to blunders given.
Guests of the Beneficent are people
Pulled together by a Hand Powerful
Able to call whom He wills when He wills.
These beggars by the Door of the Merciful
In tongues diverse cry
In sizes and hues various appear
But in unison they answer this Call sublime
Joyful in a union at last made they chant
To the beat of a Truth long desired.
Hajj is a time of bonding
Beneath a sky open
The seeker learns and teaches
Equal are the guests of God
In attires easy and plain
Kings and penniless all Needy
Shoulder to shoulder before a King Mighty
This is a time of repentance
An occasion of release in an ocean of tears.
From the attachments to sin and wrong-doing
To the bonds of fellowship, hearts healing
These days of consoling, delivery
And hope elevated
The guest of the Beneficent returns not home
But happy.
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Copyright Safi Abdi .2004
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For more info. on Hajj:
http://www.islamicity.com/mosque/hajj/
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| Reviewed by Dan Rains |
11/21/2005 |
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Very compelling! If I were the master of the english language that you are I might be able to come up with some appropriate comments. As it is I'll just say Bravo! Another excellent one. Thanks Safi.
Dan |
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| Reviewed by Regis Auffray |
3/11/2005 |
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| Thank you for sharing this life-changing experience, Safi. Love and peace to you. Regis |
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| Reviewed by Gwen Dickerson |
3/10/2005 |
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| Safi, what a wonderful job you have done in writing this passionate poem of your pilgrimage to Mecca! It must have been an awesome experience for you! You have communicated your devotion and sincerity wonderfully. May your heart and pen forever flow with wisdom and divine love! |
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| Reviewed by Abdi-Noor Mohamed (Eagle Of Hope) |
1/25/2005 |
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Safi,
This is a fantastic poem. It touches believers and non-believers alike and that is why poetry is sometimes written as a means of communication to reach others' hearts. I nearly missed Haj this year. My auntie in Bossasso couldn't get herself prepared to accompany me and so we both dropped the trip but Haj is in my dreams and I shall visit the holy moslem shrines one day to carry out this spiritual duty which is a very important pillar in the foundation of Islam. |
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| Reviewed by Karla Dorman, The StormSpinner |
1/15/2005 |
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(((safi)))
it is wonderful to read of your life changing encounter with Allah! i love the beauty and excitement in your words; may that never go away, and may His peace continue to cover you. :)
(((HUGS))) and love, karla. :) |
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| Reviewed by Kate Clifford |
1/14/2005 |
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| Thank you for sharing such an incredible experience with us. It is hard for one to imagine I suspect if they have not gone through a ceremony connected with "Spirit." It is truly humbling. It makes me think of the first time I viewed the Rocky Mountains and became very aware of how insignificant I am in a most unique and important part of all that is. Your words and introduction helps the reader to understand this experience. Thank you. |
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| Reviewed by E T Waldron |
1/14/2005 |
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Safi our differences aside, this is a most wondrous divine spiritual
event for you and I'm happy you were able to make it. Thank you for sharing it with us. I know what it means to you, because I know what the event of my enlightenment means to me. ...Eileen |
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| Reviewed by Karen Lynn Vidra, The Texas Tornado |
1/14/2005 |
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what an eye opening experience that must have been for you, safi! wow! incredible write; well done, my dear!!
(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in america, karen lynn in texas. :D |
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| Reviewed by R.D. Pounds |
1/14/2005 |
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Safi, it's wonderful that you could have this experience and your gift of words and love for God shine from your poem. You take your reader there and share with us your moment of liberation, in spirit.
Humility is almost lost in a society where earthly successes and an odd, greedy dominance seem to have the upper hand. But, they don't. Your poem reminds us of that fact.
Thank you.
Gina |
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| Reviewed by Sandie Angel |
1/14/2005 |
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Amazing picture and wonder writings. Safi, thank you so much for sharing this with us!
Sandie May Angel :o) |
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| Reviewed by Safi Abdi |
1/14/2005 |
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Older reviews by AD authors:
Reviewed by Alexandra * 3/26/2004
Words seldom express adequately that which is received and then imprinted within the Spirit. Sometimes, Poetry is the only language that reaches closer... and in this marvelous Poem, this can be clearly, and deeply, felt.
~Alexandra~
Reviewed by Regis Auffray 3/17/2004
Thank you for this experiential offering, Safi. Love and peace to you. Regis
Reviewed by john zimmerman 3/16/2004
may peace be upon you
facinating
john+
Reviewed by karen vidra the texas tornado 3/16/2004
so glad you got to go to Mecca! What an honor that must have been! Wonderful write; truly enjoyed!~ Thanks for sharing your experience with us here; this is a fascinating poem! I can learn a lot from you!
(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in America, Karen Lynn in Texas. :D
Reviewed by Floria Kelderhouse 3/16/2004
"All pretense and ornaments shed
Eyes fixed, hearts trembling, hands raised,
A willing guest in tears drenched
The guest is a single entity in a sea of guests
Swimming in tears remorseful for errors past
For the flesh is weak and man given to haste
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This is lovely writing Safi...only when we humble
ourselves can we truly see God...materialism gets
in the way...thank you for this...floria
Reviewed by Sherry Heim 1/13/2005
Thank you for sharing this most beautiful spiritual time with us, Safi; what a wonderful experience this must have been for you. It is always good to learn of other cultures and beliefs because knowledge, understanding and acceptance are the first steps toward bringing the world closer to the possibility of universal peace.
Take care,
Sherry
Reviewed by Judy Lloyd 1/13/2005
Thank you for this and I mean it in a most respectful way. In that I would like more understanding of your beliefs with the due respect shown properly. I have not always understood but find myself open as it is in my church of an open mind, open heart, and open doors. I would like to see more of your posts. Blessing to you for this it is beautiful
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| Reviewed by Judy Lloyd (Reader) |
1/14/2005 |
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| You continue to write beautifully and you know I share this belief in my heart. Again thank you. |
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