I guess divine intervention is what I need.

Hearing the beautiful recitation from the Masjid this Fajr gave me gooseflesh. I reached out for my Noble Quran with English translation and commentary, one that I had  from I don’t know when, but up to the present moment I cannot commit to memory anything further than the shorter verses of ‘juzʾ amma’.

I know I cannot read Arabic but that’s no excuse. Perhaps I am not alone, but that too is no excuse, because not being a part of "not being alone" was not unachievable. But what else should I expect, having spent my early years invariably skipping ‘Dara’ to go and play ‘Four-Corners’, but perhaps not taking that second chance offered by the brothers from Markass was my greatest blunder - now most of my homeboys are so versed,

Maybe I was stupid, but then how come I am on familiar terms with almost everything in the General Orders, Procurement Regulations, Financial  Instructions, Foreign Service Regulations and all those instruments I used to draw on when doing Audits. Perhaps it is sheer disinterest - Now I am worried about me.

See, there is this Wolof proverb that says: “Magum Lendem, Kuko Gisul’it Mu Gis Bopam”. Meaning a grown-up that only acts in the dark should be able to see himself even if others do not see him.  Very true! I guess it’s a matter of conscience. And looking at this Noble Quran right now, that’s exactly what’s going on with me, self rebuke and to my shame

Now look at the paradoxical nature of affairs - Imperfect beings said they need to do something to inculcate order and to curb irregularities. So they decided they’ll establish principles and standards of conduct, according to which their ways shall be regulated.

Collectively agreed, write-ups were solicited from specialists in various subjects, individual pieces collated into Green Paper, validated and adopted as “laws”, “statutes”, “acts”, “constitutions”, etc – beautiful names. Now anyone who doesn't measure up to these standards or expectations is reprimanded, penalised or even locked up; and even if a particular rule is subsequently deemed unjust, it still holds authority until it is repealed.

Now how about the divine rules contained in the sacred book, the central religious text, the revelation from God, the moral law, the law of God, the rules that are supposed to be observed more strictly than any other rule, the consequence of disobedience of which goes so far as everlasting anguish, rules that will never be reviewed, amended or repealed until the end of the world, the book that will serve as the standard by which our salvation or otherwise is determined?

May Allah forgive our transgressions, both intentional and unintentional, and make us a people who’ll not lose their way to the path of righteousness.