Bidding farewell to the month of the fast;
taking stock of my devotion.
You want to congratulate me- it sure went fast!
But I’m in no mood for celebration.

Don’t rush to wish me a blessed occasion,
after a month over too soon.
Yet forget those who found no relief in a setting sun,
nor joy in a crescenting moon.

Their souls, like shooting stars, light up the sky;
while our eyes look down in disbelief.
Our ears amplifying the sound of recitation;
if only to drown out the wailing of grief.

Numbing my heart from the pain helplessness brings,
Observing celestial movements with precision.
Differentiating between black and white strings; ¹eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct from the black. Then fast until nightfall. (2:187)

Knowing I can feast upon volition.
Not content with me being a passive observer,
They made me a partner in their oppression.
With levies my money funds the carnage,

My voice usurped to justify transgression.
What joy is Eid bringing?
What respite is it ushering forth?
Is it a pause, fleeting, from killing?

Or more suffering from south to north?

I’m sad Shawwal ²The 10 th month of the Hegira calendar, following Ramadan (the 9 th month). intruded upon us,
Causing Ramadan to pack up and depart.

Through its generosity I found solace;
Its Wise Reminder ³We recite ˹all˺ this to you ˹O Prophet˺ as one of the signs and ˹as˺ a wise reminder. (3:58). The Qur’an is also named the Wise Reminder (“Al Dhikr Al Hakeem” soothing a troubled heart.
The Forgiver ⁴Chapter 40 (“Ghafir”). calming my soul with its gentle sway;

Repentance outpaced by forgiving? ⁵“ the Forgiver of sin and Accepter of repentance, the Severe in punishment, and Infinite in bounty. There is no god ˹worthy of worship˺ except Him. To Him ˹alone˺ is the final return.” (40:3) Allah’s forgiveness is mentioned even before repentance – normally a person would be expected to repent as a condition to being forgiven.

From everything you have asked He has given you;
in Ibrahim ⁶Chapter 14. , countless giving ⁷And He has granted you all that you asked Him for. If you tried to count Allah’s blessings, you would never be able
to number them. Indeed humankind is truly unfair, ˹totally˺ ungrateful. (14:34). .

Zumar ⁸Chapter 34. , a balm for shivering hearts and skin ⁹˹It is˺ Allah ˹Who˺ has sent down the best message—a Book of perfect consistency and repeated lessons—which
causes the skin ˹and hearts˺ of those who fear their Lord to tremble, then their skin and hearts soften at the mention of ˹the mercy of˺ Allah. (34:23)
draw near and, in His remembrance, find living.
Still seeking the Night of Decree ¹⁰Chapter 97 (“Al Qadr”). ;
Longing for peace until daylight ¹¹It is all peace until the break of dawn. (97:5 .

Weave a spider web for protection ¹²A spider is believed to have woven its web at the entrance of the Cave of Thawr where the Prophet and Abu Bakr sought refuge on their way from Mecca to Madina. The spider web, and a dove’s nest, convinced those pursuing the Prophet that the cave was long abandoned. , I plead-
Cause nesting doves to take flight!
Forgive me for asking when relief will come.

For imploring, with insistence, Him whom I beseech;
Isn’t morning soon enough ¹³Their appointed time is the morning. Is the morning not near?” (11:28 ?
Isn’t divine deliverance within reach ¹⁴Do you think you will be admitted into Paradise without being tested like those before you? They were afflicted with suffering and adversity and were so ˹violently˺ shaken that ˹even˺ the Messenger and the believers with him cried out, “When will Allah’s help come?” Indeed, Allah’s help is ˹always˺ near. (2:214 ?