.

There was this musalli standing in jamaat

And the Imam began leading the prayer,

Proclaiming: “Allahu Akbar!”

The Mussali raised his hands and began his prayer:

TODAY’S TOP STORY, ISRAEL HAS ATTACKED THE PALESTINIANS.

“Alhamdulillahi Rabbil Alameen.”

I’LL GET MY LUNCH FROM SUBWAY THIS TIME.

“Ar Rahman Ar Raheem.”

YA ALLAH FORGIVE ME!

“Maliki yaumiddeen.”

WIFE’S VOICE: “GET TWO POUND CHOOZA.”

“Iyyaka nabudu wa iyyaka nastaeen.”

“I AM NEAR ..THAT O2 TARIFF HAD…I AM… 400 MINUTES.”

“Ihdi nasira talmustaqeem.”

YA RABBI I NEED YOUR HELP!

“Siraatalladheena anamta alayhim.”

HE DIDN’T PRONOUNCE SAAD PROPERLY.

“Ghairil maghduube alayhim wa laddaaleeen.”

FOCUS! FOCUS!

“Ameen!”

YA ALLAH FORGIVE ME!

The prayer continued and came to an end:

“Assalaamu alaykum wa rahmatullah!

Assalaamu alaykum wa rahmatullah!”

The musalli completed his prayer and left;

The conversations continued.

Deep inside, a hidden voice, a whisper, spoke

Buried underneath those other voices:

“I AM NEAR, I AM NEAR, I AM NEAR,

I AM NEAR, I AM NEAR, I AM NEAR, I…”