The Hive of Joy

Hey the Abode of God!
To away go is hard

Millions encircle you
Earth’s core are you

Believers’ desire are you
His reminder are you

His slaves to you turn
‘Allah!’ they call alone

Said then a voice so:
Not a form I around saw

“Of bricks and stones
Am I made
For ages, heart mine
Is here laid

I command my lovers’ awe
I appear on their brow

Yet my thanks
Are to ‘Yaseen’
With his look
I became for all seen

Hey, His slave!
From me part
Towards Yathrib
Your journey start!

I know not
Your emotion
He is full, though
Of compassion

I am fashioned
By the hand of man
Beautified is he
By Ar-Rahman

Hey Jaihoon! His city:
The hive of joy
Tears shed there:
As sweet as honey

I am ‘His Abode’
On earth alone, but
He is Lord’s Mercy
In the world whole.

On leaving Ka’aba during tawaaf al wida’, Hajj 2007. Edit June 2024