True Love Waits

True love endures and waits its time,
like Rasul (s) persevering and waiting for word from the One
Forty years of silent supplication and perfection
till the time was right,
and the path was proclaimed for all.

True love is patient in its waiting,
like Nabi Nooh عليه السلام,
who persisted in patience with his people
for nine hundred and fifty years.
Not paying heed to their taunts and calls
as he built a ship on dry land.

True love waits for the command of the Master,
and trusts in His abundant Love.
Like the mother of Prophet Musa عليه السلام,
who cast her child upon the waters of the river,
into the lion's mouth,
then was reunited with him under the enemy's roof.

True love accepts its duty to the ummah,
even when it has been plundered by history.
Like Imam Ali (a) taking the caliphate,
when the people begged him to accept,
yet he knew he wanted it no more.

True love is faithful in its promise,
even when covenants are broken.
Like the Imam al Hasanayn (a) in their commitment,
respecting a treaty with muawiyah for twenty years.

True love seeks permission and counsel,
before making a decision.
Like Imam al Husayn (a) as he consulted 'Zaynab,
and bid farewell to Madinah,
for the trip from which he would not return.

True love knows that standing with truth may hurt,
yet gives she all she has for the cause.
Like Umm al Baneen the righteous,
who gave four sons for the son of 'Fatima عليه السلام,
and enquired first for the safety of 'Husayn عليه السلام.

True love accepts the path that is destined,
without anger or questioning decree.
Like Nabi Zakariyyah and his righteous wife,
who were granted a child when they were old.

True love sees only beauty,
even on the darkest days.
Like our lady 'Zaynab the patient
who when asked of what she witnessed at Karbala,
moaned not at the oppression and tyranny,
but said she saw only the beauty of Allah.

True love believes and waits,
for the return of a promise not seen by the eyes,
The promise of a warming sun behind the dark clouds.
Like the lovers of 'aal Muhammad today,
as they await and prepare for the coming of a prince.

I am still waiting my master for your summons,
and if I am destined to go waiting to my grave,
when your call is made,
I pray that I will rise forth in my shroud,
and come give you my pledge of allegiance,
as you accept my unworthy love,
O most noble awaited one.