Intermezzo – Longing for Brotherhood

Returning to dust

As the flowers awaken at the touch of the morning dew, I pace the skies. If it hadn’t been for the muddied soil, these flowers would not reach for the Heavens, and if it hadn’t been for this broken body, I would not have craved the embrace of the sky… But in the end, and after all is said and done, it is this brain that has been the mind’s throne and shelter — the brain returns to the mud from where it came, and the mind returns to God.
Khaled Abou el Fadl p.233

Longing for Brotherhood

intermezzo by Khaled Abou El Fadl

The wonder of brotherhood cannot be invented by genes or constructed by law. It is a magnificent state which is equal in worth to an escape from Hellfire or a gift from Heaven. For those who were on the brink of hellfire were saved by brotherhood.

“And hold fast, all together, by the Rope which Allah (stretches out for you), and be not divided among yourselves; and remember with gratitude Allah’s favor on you; for you were enemies and He joined your hearts in love, so that by His Grace, you became brethren; and you were on the brink of the Pit of Fire, and He saved you from it.” 3 Al-‘Imran103

And those who attained Heaven were anointed with brotherhood.

“And We shall remove from their hearts any lurking sense of injury: (they will be) brothers (joyfully) facing each other on thrones (of dignity).” 15 The Rocky Tract 47

Brotherhood is a state, and not a status. As a blessing, it flows, bonding souls and hearts, but it cannot be legislated, quantified, or institutionalized

The blessing of brotherhood is given by God to those whose piety is channeled into an unwavering sense of fidelity to all that is decent and beautiful. Ultimately, brotherhood is the just reward for those who are truly decent and truly beautiful.

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