Al Fattah: The Opener

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.