Photo by Brian Federle: Passages
I heard this song in mass this morning; it struck me by its simple beauty and the comfort it brought me. I've learned that it comes from the Sufi tradition of Islam, the mystical part of the great Muslim faith.
The chorus of the song, in Arabic, is Ishq' Allah, Ma abud L'íllah , which means, "All I ask of you is forever to remember me as loving you."
From its original provenance as a Sufi song, the poem has become a contemporary song often played at Christian funerals. It is called "All I ask." The Benedictine monks of Weston Priory in Vermont produce lovely cards with this tender wish.
To see it performed click on this link:
All I ask of you is forever to remember me as loving you.
All I ask of you is forever to remember me as loving you.
Deep the joy of being together in one heart
and for me that's just where it is.
All I ask of you is forever to remember me as loving you.
All I ask of you is forever to remember me as loving you.
As we make our way through all the joys and pain,
Can we sense our younger, truer selves?
All I ask of you is forever to remember me as loving you.
All I ask of you is forever to remember me as loving you.
Someone will be calling you to be there for a while.
Can you hear the cry from deep within?
All I ask of you is forever to remember me as loving you.
All I ask of you is forever to remember me as loving you.
Laughter, joy and presence: the only gifts you are.
Have you time? I'd like to be with you.
All I ask of you is forever to remember me as loving you.
All I ask of you is forever to remember me as loving you.
Persons come into the fiber of our lives,
and then their shadow fades and disappears.
All I ask of you is forever to remember me as loving you.
All I ask of you is forever to remember me as loving you.
Ishq'Allah, ma abud L'illah, Ishq'Allah, ma abud L'illah.
All I ask of you is forever to remember me as loving you.
