On the Edge of Union

oil & acrylic /

“And of everything We have created pairs”
~51:49 Quran

Description: “On the Edge of Union” came out of this poem. This painting evokes the intertwining of opposite poles, which sustained by Love, leads to blissful flowing with The Divine. On the painting, the opposite poles are expressed through the feminine and masculine principles: the left side of the piece symbolizes the feminine principle nurturing its sacred activities, the right side symbolizes the masculine principle’s conscious protection of the feminine’s sacred work that serves to sublimate life. The pull to such fusion manifests on all levels of existence, within the individual, without, in Nature and the Cosmos… Our potential for Harmony with the purest Reality lies in understanding the purpose of our polar opposites, without the repression of any of them for each has a specific role that enhances and gathers the other which eventually leads to Wholeness, to alignment with our Essence. Throughout history, the enlightened selfless souls who conveyed the divine Message to mankind existed “on the edge of Union”, they encouraged us to cultivate our innate full potential. Once mankind learns anew to transcend materialism and to revere and balance out the activities of their opposite poles, the world will reflect more harmony, compassion, unity and peace inshAllah.

~ On the Edge of Union ~

The Universe totters in the palm
of Love in circle and laughter,

rocking between worlds
the saint’s heart mirrors

as he burns with the desire
to walk off the Earth to step

into the Invisible, soul naked
and wild he exists on the edge

of Union, mingling with Ruh (as)
and its friends in chorus:

“We are in Love for the sake of
The One whose Majesty beautifies us!

We can’t take any more of this, someone,
anybody, please borrow our mouths…”

copyright 2008 Aïda Touré.

She, the Black Light

oil & acrylic /

“She, the Black Light” 17″ x 22″ oil & acrylic on masonite panel.

“Stand to pray all Night except a little, Half of it or a little less than that, or a little more. And recite the Qur’ân (aloud) in a slow, (pleasant tone and) style for we shall charge thee with a word of weight. Lo! the vigil of the night is (a time) when impression is more keen and speech more certain.”
~Holy Qur’an 73: 2-6

“And, indeed, We created man from sounding clay, out of dark inorganic matter.”
~Holy Qur’an 15: 26

“O mankind! We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another.”
~Holy Qur’an 49: 13

“Mankind were but ONE community; then they differed…”
~10:19, Holy Qur’an

“O people! Your Lord is one. No Arab is superior to a Persian; no Persian is superior to an Arab; no red man is superior to a black man; no black man is superior to a red man – except in piety. The most honored unto God are the most pious.”
~Prophet Muhammad (saw)

Description: “She, the Black Light” was inspired from the poem below composed in French. This painting has diverse meanings: spiritually, it evokes the attributes of the Cosmos’ transcendent obscurity which opens the heart to a contemplation of the highest form of luminescence, the Unmanifest Black Light. There also is a historical octave to this painting: it addresses the African origin of all mankind and thus the equality of all people. With the enslavement and colonization of Africans, it was necessary to create atrocious ideologies to “justify” those crimes against humanity. Africans were degraded through the suggestion that “Blackness” was a curse, a sign of impurity and inferiority which led to the deliberate concealment of Africa’s ancient glorious history. This falsification of history along with its demeaning purpose fragmented Africa and rendered it vulnerable to overall exploitation, repression, and plundering to this day. “She, the Black Light” evokes the inexhaustible richness that has caused the Motherland to be coveted, invaded, preyed upon and pillaged on many dimensions for centuries. I painted this piece while listening to the albums “African Angel” and “Bamisphere” of brilliant vocalists Njamy Sitson and Gino Sitson.

~ Elle, La Lumière Noire ~

… O Belle, O Beauté,
grâce déployée, revigorante
enveloppe de toutes distances,
Ame de nos âmes,
ta Musique intérieure nage
comme le Cosmos en l’Esprit
d’Allah (swt) Le Bien-Aimé.
Tu tiens les mains de la Main
dans la protection et l’enchantement.
O! Douce Lumière Noire,
Joyau de l’Egypte glorieuse antique,
éclaire de nouveau ton continent
et perpétue l’effet miroir;
voilée comme le soir
ce n’est que toi que la Kabaah cache.
Mystère du Mysterieux Lui-Même,
re-envahis nous et scintille;
O Belle, O Beauté,
comme Rouh (as) dans sa paix,
tu retournes constamment en
ta Source tout en demeurant près
des deux hémisphères,
de par ton incandescence
durant des millénaires,
tu as parcouru la Terre entière
en tourbillons protégeants
les esprits véridiques convoités
par l’élite usurpatrice.
O, le voila l’anéantissement
du nouvel ordre mondial mensonger.
O, la voila la Voie libératrice
des prophètes (as) du Plus Elevé;
la Voie vers l’Amour, la Liberté et l’Unicité!

© 2007 Aïda Touré.

 

Marundu’s Thousand Veils

oil & acrylic /

Description: this piece was inspired from this poem. The “Veil” theme externally relates to the modesty of women, a custom that disturbs many materialists but which has been observed worldwide in many noble traditions for eons. Also there is a deeper meaning to the “Veil” theme here: unceasantly, the veils that conceal the mysteries of existence lift themselves for the soul to dance through and to revel in its pure state of bliss. The reverence of wise souls come from the beholding of this divine reality… In my maternal culture, “Marundu” is the name of a Princess which is in this context an allegory for the soul as it innately is royal due to its properties, attributes, origin and its capability to move beyond limits… this painting developed gently in a dreamlike way.

~ Marundu’s Thousand Veils ~

Bismillah, Love compels us
to circle in bliss like
the universe and its spheres.
We mingle with every atom

that exists only to entice the soul
to its Beloved. Come, let us
meet on the edge of Al Fatiha!
Come and hear the Music of Light,

Let us dangle from Inertia,
palms upon the ground
like the Christ (as),
we bow in Islam,

secrets interwoven with secrets
we endure Al Khidr’s (as) company,
our hearts leaping from body to body
we gather around the Word,

we are these lovers whose existence reveals
the thousand veils Marundu wears.
Lo! The Moon begins its praises of The Divine:
“Al hamdulillah il rabil alamin!

I curve in silver to lit
the awakened lovers
upon their prayer mats,
their lips upon the angels’

as suras unite all creation
women reflect Mary’s (as)
universal style, institutions
aim to ban modesty, still

the light envelops humanity
with its infinite kisses.”
Suddenly we long to retreat,
Somebody else will continue this…

© 2007 Aïda Touré.

Al Fattah: The Opener

oil & acrylic /

Description: I started working on this painting during Ramadan. “Al Fattah: The Opener” is one of the 99 sacred names of The Creator who opens hearts to His Favor and Grace, He illuminates the Universe and our being with mercy and love. I painted this sacred Name as the “opening” theme is always relevent to being, creativity, prayer, breath, love and existence itself. To read the poem that goes with “Al Fattah: The Opener” painting click here.

~ Al Fattah: The Opener ~

Lo, it’s Tahajjud time!
You lay your prayer mat

upon the whirling floor,
Surrender~Islam at the core:

“Bismillah ir Rahman ir Rahim”
your heart gently opens like

the mauve night sky
swirling to the Throne’s music;

its immense beauty drives
the stars and galaxies to tears:

“There is no us without
the tenderness of this

multi-layered Opening all
lovers wear like hidden robes!

O, how sweet this vertigo:
celestial bodies crazed

by the heightened sense
Love breathed upon their lips!

Ya Fattahu, You opened
our collective pulse to the Truth,

now all we observe is
the glory of being Nothing!”

© 2007 Aida Touré.

Sahelian Luminaries

oil & acrylic /

“And follow not the bidding of those who are extravagant, who make mischief in the land, and mend not (their ways).”
26: 151-152 ~Qur’an
“As for that Abode of the Hereafter We assign it unto those who seek not oppression in the earth, nor yet corruption. The sequel is for those who ward off (evil).
28: 83 ~Qur’an

Description: “Sahelian Luminaries” was inspired from this poem, an homage to all the West African Muslim saints, thinkers, sages, humble intellectuals and scientists whose work reflected the observance of Islamic values and whose struggle honored the Truth. These beings strove to preserve their divine rights, freedom, integrity, culture and native resources; for this reason they were exiled, persecuted, ridiculed and sometimes eliminated by usurping and colonialist forces in Africa. Simultaneously this painting is a spiritual metaphor for the glorious Songhaï Empire that flourished thanks to its foundation upon the Islamic universal principles of righteousness, knowledge, equality, wisdom, justice and thus love for The Divine Being.

In memory of: Askia Muhammad Touré, Ahmed Baba, Fodié Saréna Touré, Cidy Moktar Touré, Cheikh Amadou Bamba, Samory Touré, Dr Cheikh Anta Diop and my father Dr Abdoulaye Touré.

~ Sahelian Luminaries ~

Lit with a billion ecstasies
we speak with no words,
being one another’s lanterns

we build hidden empires
coveted for their excellence.
Look, the Moon fills with sobs

as our hearts turn to Love, lo!
The truth slips in and we taste
the nectar of Union; it is this

vertiginous sweetness Askia Touré’s
lips kissed, communities in circles
contagiously journeyed by to endure

the grace of Islam too!
Lights in human form in prostration
for centuries between worlds,

alternately from the seen to the unseen,
caravans of gold get returned
to the poor; Justice knocks

at every door! No one I know
would shy away such reality!
Tonight we stay awake to reap

the benefit of this Longing
slowly fed to us with gigantic
golden spoons: no interruption please!

Love is always unfurling like
the Creation’s ongoing recitation
of the Holy Qur’an.

Bismillah, hear the pulling in and
you succumb to the purity of Ruh (as).
We die just like this, before dying.

© 2007 Aida Touré

Romance of the Worlds

oil & acrylic /

“The seven heavens and the earth, and all beings therein, declare His glory: there is not a thing but celebrates His praise; And yet ye understand not how they declare His glory! Verily He is Oft-Forbear, Most Forgiving!”
(~Qur’an 17: 44).

Description: “Romance of the Worlds” was inspired from this poem of the same title composed in French. The painting celebrates the romance of the Divine System that transcends the rigid human ones imposed upon us on Earth. Our soul prioritizes and constantly invites us to alignment with this Romance which goes on in the unseen and visible worlds and which unceasingly calls us by its beauty. The romance of the worlds is a sublime reality that compels us to remember our Source, The Beloved and thus to contribute to the harmony of His Creation. Working on this painting was a deeply peaceful experience. I painted this piece while listening to the graceful music of Yohosame.

~ La Romance des Mondes ~

Le Bien-Aimé sur Son Trone,
les planètes en extase,
le coeur ivre:

l’égo se déchire,
le Soleil en prosternation
et le sol interne vibre!

Ya Allah (swt) quel est ce spectacle
dont la majesté tait tous mots?
La langue parlée n’a plus

aucune signification ce soir,
seuls les délices d’Ailleurs
emplissent ce couloir

menant à la Lumiere Noire;
Kabbah Cosmique Originelle.
La Plume par excellence retrace

la dictée divine qu’est la Création
choyée par les élans de Ruh (as)
tous voiles se lèvent:

des rubis tapissent le dome dissimulé
des ames douces
et l’ange Djibril (as) étreint

la première lumière (saw);
voila que l’humanité hérite
des Versets Divins Coraniques!

Enfin les quatre rivières jaillissent:
Jésus (as) sur la surface prie
En compagnie de son frère Muhammad (saw)

Et les autres prophètes (as) les joignent,
l’humanité se rend à l’unisson,
toute la Création chante Ses louanges,

notre ame aussi depuis la naissance,
délectons-nous donc
de cette Romance des Mondes!

© 2007 Aida Touré

The Persecuted Widow

acrylic /

Allah! You be the witness that I consider any violation of the rights of orphan and woman as an enormity entailing serious consequences!”
~ Prophet Muhammad (saw)

Description: this painting denounces the mistreatment of grieving widows and children. Unfortunately this practice is rampant in many African countries. Ill-intended relatives and in-laws seem to rejoice when the head of the household passes away because for them it represents an opportunity to not only prey upon the deceased man’s children and wife but also to scheme in order to embezzle whatever property the deceased owned and to steal the money the community donated for the deceased man’s children. Often times these oppressed children and widows end up being homeless and destitute as a result of the persecution they endure at the hands of relatives. Working on this painting and going through its intensity was a profound experience for me because even though it depicts the harm ill-intended family members inflict upon helpless widows and orphans, it more so shows the triumph of Divine Mercy, Love and Justice. The Persecuted Widow poem can be read below.

~ The Persecuted Widow ~

The Beloved : “O My servant, return to Me!”
Lo! A father’s soul gently slips out of his body.
Ill-intended family members immediately prey
upon the departed soul’s widow and orphans,
violating their rights; it is but a plot
to destitute them.
Woe to the ones who covet
the spiritual and material inheritance
a late father leaves to his children.
You see, Light exposes all obscure intent
aimed at the helpless as such deliberate
oppression reaches the unseen worlds,
it unleashes forces to establish Justice.
In death, there is Life magnified as Love itself.
Remember the best of the Creation (saw) when he said:
” O Allah (swt), You be the Witness that I consider
any violation of the rights of orphan and woman
as an enormity entailing serious consequences!”
No authentic tradition on Earth advocates
the victimization of the vulnerable
Divine Mercy governs the Universe;
The Beloved is the Light of the Heavens and the Earth.

© 2007 Aida Toure.