Spiritual Home

My body turns towards you 
Five times a day 
When I pray 
But my heart 
Is always with you 
In awe 
Circumambulating 
Bowing 
Prostrating 
In unison 
With billions of souls 
Human and other 
That are near you 
Have travelled to be with you 
Or are reaching from far away 
Recognising 
Believing 
Submitting 
Not to you 
But to The One 
Who created you 
And chose you 
To be the centre 
Of our world

The story behind the poem

I have diverted slightly from the Publish Everything Challenge rules today to share a piece that has been written especially for the occasion rather than one selected at random.
The occasion referred to is that of Eid-al-Adha, meaning ‘festival of sacrifice’, which commemorates the willingness of the prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son Ismail (Ishmael), peace be upon them both, as an act of obedience to Allah’s (God’s) command. Ibrahim was spared from having to carry out the command when the angel Jibraeel (Gabriel), peace be upon him, appeared and provided a ram for sacrifice instead.
Eid-al-Adha also marks the end of the Hajj, the major pilgrimage in Islam that should be undertaken by every Muslim at least once in their lifetime (if their means and circumstances allow it). Millions of people are currently going through the rites of the pilgrimage in and around Makkah (also known as Mecca) in Saudi Arabia. This includes walking around the Kaaba, the subject of today’s poem, which is the large cube-shaped building in the centre of Makkah that forms the focal point for pilgrimage rituals and the direction of prayer (Qibla) for Muslims there and around the world.
For those that aren’t on the pilgrimage this year, their wish will be that they will be amongst those fortunate enough to be in the spiritual home of Islam next year. It is certainly where my heart longs to be. May Allah grant this to me and my son and loved ones, and to all those with the same longing in their hearts.
I wish you a blessed Eid if you are celebrating, and a blessed day anyway if you are not. Eid Mubarak!