I don’t know you
and I am not worthy of you
but my worthiness is not the standard by which I will reach you
rather
it is your nobility and generosity
upon which I rely
sitting here
across the sea
it seems impossible that I would get there
but I once thought it impossible
and then it was real
so I know that I can find myself in front of you
should God bestow upon me a mercy I do not deserve
yet again
as-salāmu ‘alayka yā Imām al-Riḍā!
I remember
sitting in a majlis
and hearing a story
that someone thought you were a servant
and asked for a massage
you did not scold him
but rather fulfilled his request
until another indicated to him who you were
I wonder if he asked you because your skin was black
and thus assumed you could not be the leader of the Muslims
beloved by God
abundant of knowledge
excellent in conduct
he saw you as fit to be his servant
when in fact the mountains and stars praised your name
as-salāmu ‘alayka yā Imām al-Riḍā!
I pray that God grants me life enough
and strength enough
and wealth enough
to find myself in your courtyard
to renew a relationship
meant for eternity
as-salāmu ‘alayka yā Imām al-Riḍā!
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