ISLAMIC POEMS

22. That's Our Dad

THAT'S OUR DAD

When I was still a child

I would grip his lower leg 

And he would raised it up 

Then I'd shout with joy as I am being carried. 

That's our Dad.

My siblings and I would also sometimes pretend

To be fast asleep on the living room 

Just so he can carry us to our bedroom

That's our Dad.

When I was in the second grade 

I found a dime while I was playing.

Knowing that it was May 27,

I bought a small chocolate 

And gave it to him, saying, "Happy Birthday Daddy!" 

He smiled, unwrapped the chocolate 

And ate it with a goofy smile on his face, saying

"Hmmmm.... Tasty, thank you my daughter!" 

That's our father.

And for the longest time during my childhood days

My big brother and I would patiently wait

For the day to end and he'd come home from work

He'd sit on the sofa, while my brother and I sat each on his lap

He'd tell us a story about Allah, the Prophets and the good Muslims. 

Then he'll ask us about the lessons and values learned. 

That's our Dad.

Sometimes when he's too tired from work

He'd still tell us a story 

He'll start with, "There were once a good girl and a good boy

Who was so good and made their father sleep early even without a bedtime story."

We all would laugh and it's a wrap up for the night. 

That's our Dad.

When I was in my elementary years

I remember staring at the clouds on a beautiful morning

admiring its beauty.

Then I remember Dad's words upon me,

"Allah loves every child, Allah loves my daughter so much." 

That morning, I felt Allah's strong love for me

That I began cleaning the entire house happily. 

That's our Dad.

We always see him saying sweet words to my Mom

And when she's not in the mood with him

Either he'll c***k a joke or remain patient with her

Then after that they'll be sweeter than ever. 

Not once did we ever witness them fight. 

That's our Dad.

He'll cook for us, he'll even do a bit of the laundry

He'll clean the house, he was always smiling

He'll help out Mom too in fixing the sink

Or some carpentry work on a chair, table or fence. 

That's our Dad.

He knows the names of my crushes at school 

Dad was my man-form-diary 'coz he's so cool

He'll remind me time and time again 

That finishing my studies should always go first. 

That's our Dad.

When I got into an argument with a friend 

He'll be my comfort, he'll be my friend 

He'd asked me what Barbie doll was eating

And I won't be all alone, playing. 

That's our Dad.

During moments of victories and success

He has a way of making me feel that I was always the best

Never did he make me feel any less

Not even that single time that I wasn't an honor student. 

That's our Dad.

I never cry if I never win in any contest

Except that one time when everybody expected me to 

It was also the very first time he got angry at me 

Reminding me that I really shouldn't be crying. 

Then I realize how everything's actually fine 

That's our Dad.

When we were fishing in my Grandpa's fishpond 

He taught me the essence of being patient 

My big brother got one huge fish

While I haven't got anything. 

Dad rubbed my little head and said, 

"You did good my little girl." 

That's our Dad.

Every after bath time when we were young

My brother and I were only allowed to eat one "He-man" 

But because I wanted more, I asked Dad if I could eat four

He said, "Go ahead and get some. It'll be our little secret." 

That's our Dad.

When we had to move residence because of the heavy floods

Mom said we would stay on the house Dad had built for us

Upon seeing the simple house made of wood

My face brightened and I said to myself, "My Dad's a superman and life's so good!" 

That's our Dad.

When he had to go to another country 

I numbed myself from feeling lonely

When he made a long distance call 

His youngest child, my sister said to him

"How are you there Dad? Please come home." 

It got us all silent 

And I know right there and then that he is our home. 

That's our Dad.

As I grew up and became a teacher 

He was still always there

He'd help out decorating my classroom

Even if I was assigned at the mountaintop of schools.

That's our Dad.

When I have matters of the heart that needs to be addressed 

I tell him all about it and I never feel scared

Like that one time I had to break off an almost engagement

He assured me that letting go takes a lot of courage. 

That's our Dad.

Every time I joke to him when will my destined man arrive

He would tell me "probably he's still on a traffic jam." 

Then I'll feel lighter and laugh along with him 

Which is why I never had had my heart broken. 

Thanks to our Dad.

Over dinner it has became a family habit

To share a story or a beautiful hadith

Thus our night becomes productive

That's our Dad.

But there's a part two in that on some special nights

He'll go out by the balcony and we'll sat by his side

Then one by one we would discuss and share

How Allah's the Greatest, and the love of His Messenger (s.a.w). 

That's our Dad.

When Dad decides to leave us for some couple of days

In the name of Allah, to do some Da'wah in another place

We would beg of him to no longer go

He'll say , "When Allah reverted me back to Islam

This was the promise I need to have fulfilled." 

And so we understood and we let him go. 

That's our Dad.

When sibling arguments arise

He'll try to tone down the tension between us

Then he'll advise us to resolve our differences

Without the need to punish or to forsake 

That's our Dad.

When I want to buy something for myself 

But I want to be spendthrift

I would beseech him to give me a gift

Then if he could, he would. 

That's our Dad.

He was our first teacher of learning the Arabic

He was persevered despite our laziness

He is the first man I have ever loved 

And no one could ever compare to the love he has for us.

Every time we leave the house, 

We'll kiss him on the cheek

And that act is a protection guaranteed 

Of the strong bond of a family so close

Under Allah's Supervision.

When a certain man wants my hand in marriage

Dad would always ask me if I am considering 

If I say no, he won't force me to 

That's my Dad, selfless and true.

Throughout life's storm and hardships

Especially when I don't get what I wish

He'll simply say, "This life is just a test, a temporary resting place and we're simply travellers." 

Upon hearing that, my faith is renewed and I feel better.

That's our Dad.

When people can be so hard to get along with

Dad's advise is to always have sabar 

And he'll constantly tell us to never judge anyone

And always forgive those who wronged us

That's our Dad.

This day he just turned fifty 

And he's grown never older but a bit wiser and gentler 

That's our Dad whom we love so so much 

That's our Dad, the best anyone could ever have

May my sister and I find a husband like him

One who never hesistates to show love and serve his family

That's our Dad again, whom we love so much

Always in our prayers for Allah to grant him Paradise.

*May Allah guide all the Dads in the world. Ameen.

(I’ve written this when I was unaware that birthday is haram in Islam, astaghfirullah).