O my Lord, the stars glitter and the eyes of men are closed. Kings have locked their doors and each lover is alone with his love.
Here, I am alone with You
When Rabia Came Over -Shivpreet Singh
It was sometime after midnight—
the parrot had stopped practicing
his whistle from that Bollywood song,
and the dishwasher had entered
its contemplative rinse cycle.
Then Rabia knocked,
without knocking, really.
She just appeared,
as if my thoughts had gotten too noisy
and someone had to intervene.
She didn’t say much at first.
She looked around the room,
nodded at the moonlight
slipping in through the blinds,
then pulled her robe tighter and said,
“Kings have locked their doors.”
I offered her tea.
She declined, but the steam
rose between us like a small prayer.
Outside, the stars were holding
their breath.
She looked at me—
that look your grandmother gives
right before she tells you
you’ve forgotten God
but she still loves you anyway.
“I’m not alone,” I said,
thinking of my family,
my dog, the leftover curry
still warm in the fridge.
“No,” she said,
and the syllable floated
through the kitchen like a blessing—
or maybe a broom,
sweeping everything else aside.
And then she was gone. And then she never left.
This poem reminds me of Guru Arjan's shabad, Bhinni Rainariye Chamkan Taare:
More on Rabi'a
Rabi'a al-Adawiyya (also known as Rabi'a al-Basri) was not primarily known as a poet but as a prominent Muslim mystic and saint. She was born in the 8th century CE in Basra, which is now present-day Iraq. Rabi'a is considered one of the early Sufi mystics and is revered for her profound spiritual insights and devotion to God.
While Rabi'a is primarily remembered for her teachings and spiritual practices, she did express her mystical experiences through poetry. Her poems often reflected her intense love and longing for union with the divine. Rabi'a's poetry is characterized by themes of divine love, the pursuit of spiritual closeness to God, and the renunciation of worldly attachments.
Although the exact corpus of Rabi'a's poetry is not widely known, her poems have been preserved and passed down through oral tradition and various Sufi texts. Rabi'a's spiritual teachings and poetry have had a significant influence on Sufism and Islamic spirituality. Her life and writings continue to inspire many seekers on the path of divine love and devotion.
More on Rabi'a's poem O My Lord
This poem by Rabi'a al-Adawiyya conveys her profound longing for a deep and intimate connection with God. Let's explore its meaning line by line:
"O my Lord,
the stars glitter
and the eyes of men are closed."
In these lines, Rabi'a addresses God, expressing her awareness of the beauty and radiance of the stars. The stars symbolize the magnificence and wonders of the universe. However, she contrasts this with the closed eyes of human beings, suggesting that despite the beauty around them, people are spiritually unaware or disconnected from the divine.
"Kings have locked their doors
and each lover is alone with his love."
Here, Rabi'a speaks metaphorically. The "kings" refer to those in power or positions of authority who have shut themselves away and isolated themselves. This can represent worldly distractions, ego, and attachments that prevent people from seeking a connection with God. The mention of "each lover" being alone with their love implies that everyone has their individual pursuit or object of affection, but Rabi'a acknowledges that true fulfillment and union lie in being alone with God.
"Here, I am alone with You."
In this final line, Rabi'a expresses her personal state of being. She emphasizes her spiritual solitude, highlighting the deep connection she feels with God. Rabi'a finds solace and fulfillment in her intimate relationship with the divine, recognizing that true union and companionship are found in her devotion to God.
Overall, this poem reflects Rabi'a's intense longing for divine connection and her belief that true fulfillment can only be achieved through a deep and personal relationship with God. It highlights her detachment from worldly distractions and her devotion to seeking spiritual closeness with the divine presence.
I remember a story in which Rabia was passing a gathering of people listening to a sermon. And the priest was quoting the popular saying, “knock and it shall be opened”…and Rabia stopped as she listened to this and interjecting says, “from where I stand, it has never been closed”
Singing oneness!
2 Comments
I remember a story in which Rabia was passing a gathering of people listening to a sermon. And the priest was quoting the popular saying, “knock and it shall be opened”…and Rabia stopped as she listened to this and interjecting says, “from where I stand, it has never been closed”
ReplyDeleteThirteen Doors to be Fed
DeleteThe first was blue, stuck in its frame—
shouldered open like doubt.
The second swung wide, whispering come,
a breeze smelling of rain.
One led to a hallway of mirrors.
Another to a dog asleep in sun.
A red one read Not Yet.
A small one made me crawl.
Each threshold changed me:
spine bent, then stood tall.
Some I closed. Some sealed my fate.
The last one’s marked Come In—
I kneel, I eat, I wait.