One day, when all was well in heaven and on earth, God
summoned his council of elders together, saying, “Why is there no one singing
my praises to all the four corners of the world in Arabic, the native tongue of
more than 300 million inhabitants and one of the major languages of the world?”
One of the elders replied, “Lord, there are some who
are already doing it although in no big way that the whole world sits up and
takes notice. Perhaps it is time such a prophet dwelt amongst men, singing your
praises to all the four corners of the world in Arabic, the native tongue of more
than 300 million inhabitants and one of the major languages of the world.”
“Let it be then,” said the Lord, “that such a prophet
dwells amongst men, singing my praises to all the four corners of the world in
Arabic, the native tongue of more than 300 million inhabitants and one of the
major languages of the world.”
Another of the elders spoke up, saying, “What shall his name be, Lord, and what of his origins?”
“His name shall be Maher Zain and he shall be born of
Lebanese origins. He shall live out his schooling years in Europe and his early
adulthood years in America, yet he shall not be led astray by the bright lights
of the big cities on either side of the Atlantic. Instead he shall be reborn in
the religious faith of his fathers and use his musical gifts to sing my praises
to all the four corners of the world in Arabic. For even if he employs the more
universal or other languages of the world as the medium of his songs he shall still mention me in Arabic, the
native tongue of more than 300 million inhabitants and one of the major
languages of the world, thus popularizing my name in Arabic to all four corners
of the world.”
At this all the elders got up as one and fell on their
hands and knees, saying in unison, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord, He who made
the heavens and the earth. Praised be his name forever and ever. Amen!”
