16. Truth Shaken in the Vessel of Imperfect Reality
Tyranny in spite of liberty,
- because the majority can be tyrannous...
Death in spite of wealth,
- because no money will save you from death...
Pride in spite of poverty,
- because even the most beggarly hovel can house hubris...
Ugly in spite of beauty,
- because vanity spoils all beauty...
Envy in spite of piety.
- because you have gain knowledge but not wisdom...
...............
I must have been ticked off by some event when I recorded this prose many years ago. I really cannot imagine what it was, but if you would simply open your newspaper today, you can easily find at least one story (and probably many more) that, sadly, depicts the prose perfectly.
But no sooner was this poem recorded, an affirmative, hopeful one was written, probably the very next day...
17. Patience
Patience,
Unto me!
A new Universe!
...............
And it is true. For however the world may turn, if we have patience... it is always a brand new world. A new universe of meaning in every breath that we inhale and exhale. And with patience, it is always a good meaning...
As how my father was yesterday. Not even his most loyal friends shall say that Khalid is the most patient person that they know. But yesterday, I accompanied my father to the workshop. We drove there because Adam, his grandson and my nephew, had car problem and had to have the car towed, and so we promised to meet him at the workshop. Because it was rush hour, there was some delay. But there was my father quietly sitting on his walking-stick-cum-stool, as the sun began to set and twilight draws nearer in.
When Adam finally arrived almost an hour late (they got lost) he was distraught with worry and quick to apologise, but surprisingly, his grandfather only assured him, "Don't worry, don't worry. It is not your fault."
 |
| A new world |
Whether you are an ordinary man, simply waiting for your grandson and the tow-truck, whether you are a stay-at-home mum, a busy businessman, a diskjockey, a Sufi Shaykh or the Caliph of Islam, it is patience that is always the key to peace and happiness. Don't you agree?
 |
| A new Caliph |
Thank you for coming in, sunshine. Always happy to have you here.
wa min Allah at-taufiq
Hate has no place in Islam
Love will show the Way
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