Have you not seen how God strikes a parable? A good word is like a good tree — its root is firm and its branches reach the sky.”
Staunch tree of goodness
The world could not wither
No vine of corruption
Could stifle your growth
Your roots were so deep
In the soil of the beloved
Your branches so lofty
They reached out in hope
The gateway of your garden
Twas planted with scripture
The fragrance of mercy
The essence of peace
The shade of your presence
Was the hope of the believers
Your fountain of knowledge
Would bring forth increase
No rain would fall
On the soil of your garden
Yet flowers would bloom
And rich grasses would grow
The love of the lord
And the souls of the martyrs
The life giving word
From sweet rivers would flow
The beauty of your garden
Would draw forth the children
Upon your firm branches
So many would climb
So safe and familiar
So gracious and so gentle
Safe neath your gaze
Oh so many would recline
Through storm and through tempest
Still firm was your heartwood
Your bark bore the scars
From the world and it’s sin
The wounded heartbroken
The mothers and the fathers
Drew closer and closer
All kindred brought in.
Oh mighty tree of goodness
Divine were your saplings
Though far from your garden
They flourish and bloom
Some rise to the heavens
While some are still awaiting
Their lives are eternal
And rich their perfume.
Oh precious tree of mercy
Dark clouds have descended
The howling wind of hatred
Of foul jealousy
The glory of your stature
And nature of your presence
Tis lost on the heartless
That foul enemy.
A scene of devastation
For scorched is our garden
The tree and the flowers
Uprooted have been
The foul wicked wind
That will tare away all beauty
A force of depravity
Surely we’ve seen
The glory of the good tree
Will never be forgotten
For deep within the soil
Comes new life for to see
Tis born of the master
The keeper of the garden
The one who says rise
And it surely must be…
O you who have believed, remember the favour of Allah upon you when armies came to [attack] you, and We sent upon them a wind and armies [of angels] you did not see. And ever is Allah, of what you do, Seeing
