LET US LIVE

Shed not blood on earth, waste not lives yet to be lived

Rid us of your inhumane acts fuelled by selfishness and triggered by greed

We desire to live in harmony, remove our shackles and let us live in peace

Put your weapons to rust and put an end to the vehemence

For tired, we are of hearing the piercing screams of the mothers

And of burying our sons. We spend our days counting the number of the living dead

And fall to the floor jaded by a war that bled

Wrecked by the bloodshed and tortured by the burn

Our wounds profusely bleed - wounds, which only time can heal

Voices in our heads only serenity can erase

Our hearts have bled enough

Our souls, tired of suffering an eternally tormenting loss

And an unforgettable past, our world blanketed by clouds of smoke

And flooded by tears of the distressed

Rest our heads on our pillows sans the fear of being shredded by night

Remove the shadows looming atop to kill the demons that torment our nights

Shut our eyelids to awaken to a morn of promise and hope

Let us live- in repose!

Gratitude

"When We bestow favours on man, he turns away, and gets himself remote on his side (instead of coming to Us); and when evil seizes him, (he comes) full of prolonged prayer!"
[The Noble Qur'an 39:8]

Dare I ask
why the child
when brought a toy
loses himself in its joy
and forgets to thank
the one who brought it?
His heart at times tender and vigilant
remembering its Lord attempting its share of due diligence
and at times aloof of what surrounds it
be among those whose lives teach them gratitude

they need not affliction
to stir them into remembrance
they are grateful always
from dawn until dusk
saying

O Allah no more affliction needs this man
to learn his lessons in due course of time
Glorified are You, the One and Only
Grant me guidance, steadfastness and gratitude

Were I to learn by my mistakes throughout
my life would be a loss
but i have learnt to take risks calculated
and give up my life cavalier
i have begun to care, to think outside of myself
and comprehend,
there's more to living than
"I"

Walk the road to Paradise
The road of dependence on Him
Freedom of the self
And gratitude for what you have
Now is all you have left

Grow up.

Free of these

Have I settled to the ground
lowered my standard
to accept the world around me
attempting to be reasonable
pull me down to what
you think is possible
but really I don’t see
how you cannot reach the skies
if you have due determination

I really do
I really want to excel and soar
At a pace beyond all else
I feel this need to achieve
To grow and to contribute
Its eating the heart of me
Its like a need, a hunger
That remains unfulfilled
I have tried

I have tried to go far
To cut past all my restraints
The tears and the cries of incapacity
Really nothing such does exist
Its all in your head
Feel free to achieve
And go beyond these
Life’s not worth living until
You have been free
Free of these

[Photo Credits: GettyImages]

Little Saint

Is it just for you to expect from your nascent self the demeanor of saints
yesterday's child in the grounds
today's intense worshipper by night
could you have understood the texts of the ancients in truth
who wrote them having matured in thought and reason
while you are just out of the cradle, an infant
aspiring to run!

so tax not yourself beyond capacity
rather seek to learn from those who know
and before all ask for guidance the One above all those who know

Has it occured to you dear friend that to be AbuBakr when 15 may lead you to forget your ownself
the self was created by Al-Musawwir and you will know it well in due time
take advice from elders
and rush not into things
play still with the boys because it is from the Sunnah to entertain yourself for a while
restrict not your nafs to the extent that with burden it capsizes
but search for the middle path by du'a and asking
those who know

yes your self may have been corrupted in times while you knew not
you imitated what you saw and learnt whatever came your way
hold not yourself accountable for all things such
for it was by decree
derive your lessons therefrom
and hence walk free

it is not from piety to deny yourself a morsel of bread in time of intense need
nor is it from piety to overload your tank with three when its portion is one.

As said Ibn ul Qayyim Al-Jawzi may Allah have mercy on him
Your nafs is like a camel on a journey to its Lord
tax it not beyond its capacity for it may become plump and slow
burden it not with excessive lack, because it may not reach it destination whole
rather follow the path in between, the path of the beloved of you and me
(salleAllah alaiyhe wasalam)

[Photo Credits: GettyImages]

The Emotion Overwhelm

At times when overtakes me
the emotion overwhelm
i seek the pleasure of
the shoulder to lean on
the lap to rest my head in
and do away with my worries
but the day shall come when
this emotion overwhelm
would come to me ever intense

At length, when there comes the Deafening Noise,- That Day shall a man flee from his own brother, And from his mother and his father, And from his wife and his children. Each one of them, that Day, will have enough concern (of his own) to make him indifferent to the others.

[The Noble Qur'an 80:33-37]

It is time O Nafs that you
fall into prostration
and submit

that you weep out your worries
to the All-Hearing, the Most Loving
and you leave your tears on the prayer mat to dry

[Photo Credits: GettyImages]

Zero Hour (Some Time Alone)

Learn to not look into eyes fleeting
for a period undying
Seeking the stock of your comfort therein
But halt

wrapped in your garments

And take a moment to yourself,
alone with your Lord, The Most Loving

To Die For [A Tribute to Hossam Meshmesha]

By Allah I am urged to write about him
Perhaps Allah wants to honor him, our dear brother
An honor for me if He accepts to have it done by my pen
He holds a lofty place in our sight, Hossam Meshmesha
He lived to set an example for all those with might
Stregth, firmness, indignation
And a compass aligned:

To each is a goal to which Allah turns him; then strive together (as in a race) Towards all that is good. Wheresoever ye are, Allah will bring you Together. For Allah Hath power over all things. [Qur’an 2:148]

The mosque on Dominion at Northwood
Echoed the voices of those who wept
To die for
To die for Allah
May He grant him rest
And the freedom of birds
In Jannat al-Firdous
O Allah we ask
That you accept him amongst your most noble slaves

It was Maghrib prayer and the imam recited:
"Among the Believers are men who have been true to their covenant with Allah. of them some have completed their vow (to the extreme), and some (still) wait: but they have never changed (their determination) in the least"

[Qur'an 33:23]

To be with You

I’d give up the world today
Just to be with you
If You’d call me
I’d respond
And come in haste
I am Yours
I am Yours
Call me today
I won’t wait a day
I promise
I won’t wait a day

Fuqaraa'

Deem us paupers on an empty street?

Our call is to the heavens, perhaps,perchance,
with sureity He shall relieve!
Our provisions proportioned well
by Allah the Most Benign
We ask of you no favours, let us be
and see how

patiently

we achieve felicity

This poem is written in first person in an attempt to put ourselves in the shoes of those needy, and I feel that just a glance or a few words from a truthful person in the condition described would weigh much more in the heart of anyone than would this poem.

Be wary of what you collect and consume, are you taking in more than your share?

Deem us paupers on an empty street?

A trial for you, would you

show compassion or in insolent pride

cast us aside?

Go beyond, give generously!

Remember, the excess you consume and hoard

holds the rights of other needy

O Allah, The Highest Companion

My heart, it craves the grave
happy to return to its resting place
For once it shall sleep a long night
only to wake up to see Your Light...

Takes hold of me relentlessly
this desire to be with You
Wait patiently for the day I'm dust
Free myself and fly as new

Your Power and Compassion vaster than these senses percieve
O Lord, take me away to a special place
I desire not Zaqqum
Grant me shade and peaceful songs
Hummed in a lasting tune.

Prays my heart relentlessly
for the day I see Your Face.
Race to You past all restraints
glorifying your sweet Name.

Seek shade beneath Your Throne
On a day when the sun is strong.
Grant me bliss and tranquility
as aches my heart to be
among Your accepted slaves.

Grant me love and the freedom of birds
in a garden where RasulAllah (saw) would be.
Take me away to that special place
I desire not Zaqqum.

Repeat Offender

When my disobedience intensified
You showed me the way home
Then I faltered again
and yet You guided me back
but I persisted on the path that welcomes wrath
and repentance became difficult on my tongue

"O man! what has made you careless
concerning your Lord, the Most Generous?" [Qur'an 82:6]

I stuck desperately to evanescent dust
My desire, greed and impatience
forces stronger than gravity itself
held me there, and they might still
until comes to me that which is certain
and then there would be no coming back

Unless You bestow Your mercy upon me
The steep is difficult for me to climb
for I realise I am indeed very weak
make it easy for me and grant me strength O Allah
Indeed You are able to do all things
[I would weep endlessly if only I had the tears]

City of the Heart

At times I’d want to know You more
And head out looking for ways
There is no shortage of evidence
No end to the signs
But what good are eyes when the heart is blind?

An hour of heedlessness can undo a year’s worth of worship
Be vigilant and guard night and day, the city of your heart
Your tongue - a tool for His remembrance
Ears – to attend to His call
Eyes – to reflect on His creation, His signs
And limbs to carry you to His obedience
When left unattended, your city is open to attack

Be vigilant and guard night and day, the city of your heart
So call upon the Almighty making your religion pure for Him
Sincerity itself is a grant, return to Him pleading for it!

Poor

Slaves so poor, created to strive for the Master.
In His benevolence, He grants us in abundance,
A morsel of bread, a slice of meat
Pages of knowledge, mind to retain and heart to feel
Body to hold together and fulfill obligation
A Messenger as a mercy, and a Book as a guidance
Brothers, sisters, parents and families for support…and much more,
Yet we forget…

“O ye men! It is ye that have need of Allah: but Allah is the One Free of all wants, worthy of all praise.”

[Qur'an 35:15]

[PhotoCredits:GettyImages]

All the world's a stage

All the world’s a stage
and the death of the stage performer
is his contentment with the cheers
and clapping of ephemeral hands
“…so serve Allah, offering Him sincere devotion.” [Qur’an 39:2]

Virtue

Reliance as that of Ibrahim and the gratitude of Daud
The forbearance of Muhammad (s.a.w), the chastity of Yusuf
The repentance of Dhun-Nun, and the recovery of Ayub
The treasures of Suleman and the ears of Musa
The da'wa and hands of Nuh, the two children of Yaqub
The knowledge of Khidr, and the dominion of Dhul-qarnain
The youth of the companions of the Cave and the Ummah of Muhammad (s.a.w)
The obedience of sons like Ismail and Yahya, the miracles of Zakariyya and Isa
Our women like Maryam, Asia, Khadija, Ayesha, Jawayria, Zainab, Safiyya, Saudah, Umm Habeebah, Umm Salamah, Umm Kulthum and Fatima, may Allah be pleased with them all
Companions like AbuBakr, Omar, Uthman, Ali, Zubayr, Talha, Hamza, Abu Ubaidah, Salman, Shuaib, and all those who fought in Badr
To build as a result a society like that of Medina

A life of submission, sincerity, and remorse for our past,
Firmness in our present and hopes for the future
Righteous followers and just rulers
Charitable people, abundance of provision
And hearts which tremble before the Most Gracious in prayer
Minds which memorise
And bodies which instruct and call to the path that is straight
The path of those whom He hath favored
Not of those whose portion was wrath, nor of those who went astray

[PhotoCredits: GettyImages]

My Empire of Sand

Crumbles to pieces my empire of sand
Years of work and lessons learnt, the false contentment that brought some knowledge
Where was I looking? How did I lose focus?
The rights of my family denied as I raced to build and maintain
My empire of sand

Eight to four and overtime
Blood and sweat to emerge renewed
And said I like Qaaroon,
“Because of knowledge I posessed” (Quran 28:78)

Reclining and relaxing, I look back and boast
“Quite a feat I pulled there”
Me and my fleeting empire of sand

Had forgotten I that to Allah belongs all that is in the heavens and earth
And I learnt and experienced all by His decree, to be given a trust
To educate, alleviate and myself take heed
As I reclined cushioned and comforted,
I reduced (without forewarning) to ashes
As crumbled my empire of sand

A common avenue of misguidance for people who are succesful in their careers. The disease of the heart is called ‘Ujab (self-pride, conceit) and is considered the root cause for all other diseases including Kibr(pride/arrogance) and Hasad(malicious envy).

Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) has mentioned the story of Qarun (read Qaaroon) in the Holy Qur’an so that the believers may take heed. Click here to read the story of Qarun: 28:76-83

[PhotoCredits: GettyImages]

The Bent Rib

You percieved that perhaps this poem

is a criticism of the female race
being bent makes the rib easier to embrace, being bent makes it adaptable
not stuck, stiff, straight
the rib is positioned close to the heart, and that defines its place
a shield for the submissive heart which worships its Lord with grace

They characterize beauty and their inner precedes their outward
Their hearts as if fragile crystals wherein lie treasures of empathy
And in their intellect lies the ability to sustain a family, a man, a small world of happiness
with God's Will and Mercy.

A general perception of animosity create by women's lib
the feminist movement served only to make things worse.

A switching of roles

Some women trying to settle the score

The bent rib tried to straighten itself

And broke!

"Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has given the one more (strength) than the other, and because they support them from their means. Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient, and guard in (the husband's) absence what Allah would have them guard... " [The Noble Qur'an 4:34]

"And among His Signs is this,
that He created for you mates from among yourselves,
that ye may dwell in tranquillity with them,
and He has put love and mercy between your (hearts):
verily in that are Signs for those who reflect."

[The Noble Qur'an 30:21]

The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said,

“ Paradise is at the feet of the mother.”

"And We have enjoined on man (to be good) to his parents: in travail upon travail did his mother bear him, and in years twain was his weaning: (hear the command), "Show gratitude to Me and to thy parents: to Me is (thy final) Goal." [The Noble Qur'an 31:14]

[Photo Credits: GettyImages]

Muhammad (salleAllahu 'alayhee wassalam)

Has it not occurred to you dear friend, the smallness of your (personal) calamity?
Considering that came the blessed, and then passed away
A creation so cherished that sought permission the angel of death
And acceded he after enquiring, “What of my people?”

Omar distraught by the episode, and Uthman lost speech
Medina in chaos
Had a wayfarer sought shade, fear would have carried him
A hundred miles away
Oh the sorrow in Medina, the day my prophet …

So, has welcomed your heart the swift gust of responsibility?
Have your hairs stood in fear, trembling?
What answer have I prepared to pass the account of the Most Gracious?
The day I would see Muhammad gather his nation, and see my own self, left alone

Have passed now centuries (a few)
As if tide at the shore,
Our nation has been in a state
Of constant ebb and flow
How would we taste success when tremble our hearts standing before people
Forgetful of the standing, the length whereof is fifty thousand years?

Have forgotten you and I
What consumed us after Muhammad
As what consumed the people of old,
Those of ‘Aad, Thamud, and Madayn?

And now has fallen upon the earth due to our very misdeeds
The calamity that witnessed Lut
Scream now and fall to weeping
Indeed we have all been miscreants since passed away my beloved
Peace and blessings be upon him.

I urge you therefore my dearest brothers and sisters
to repent for the past and begin life anew
a life of sincerity, devotion, and fearless calling
to the path of the Most High, as did the one nearest to Him
Peace and blessings be upon him

“Say, (O Muhammad, to mankind):
If ye love Allah, follow me; Allah will love you and forgive you your sins.
Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.” [The Noble Qur’an 3:31]

[Image Credits: http://mohamed.navajo.cz/]

Homesick

In the Name of Allah Most Kind Most Merciful

Between pillars tall, stands a me unknown
Gazing at the fountain (steps away), a tear leaves the eye,
Clearing dust (on mosaic beneath)

Creak open doors far yonder
Fields of lush green, fruits in colours citrus
As glides a me unknown
Meandering with the river, the wind in my face
Dives like a kingfisher and soars out (through rays of early sunlight)

I dream of stars and miles in endless space
Planets in orbit, stardust, and light
Meteors and comets speeding from space to earth ablaze
Causing formations, a pleasure to the worthy eye

Life, will end now or then, and shall creak open the doors far yonder
Doors to ultimate bliss, and lay I intoxicated
In the kingdom of my Beloved
The shuttering of pigeon wings at my windowsill
They too flew away, and so shall you upon burying me in my grave
The rainbow is in my garden far yonder, I dream of endless gain

The day come my Lord when You reveal to this poor man the secrets which lie with You
“No soul knoweth what is kept hid for them of joy, as a reward for what they used to do.” (Qur’aan 32:17)
When You teach Him that which You taught those nearest to You
My fore is in Your hands my Lord, You take life whenever You will,
Allow me to die as one whom You are well pleased with.
Someone to welcome me home…
Ah! Who better a host than Ar-Rahman?

One

O Allah

In the darkest moments,

Your light shines inside of me

In the coldest of nights

Your warmth fills inside of me

Would the day come...

When in hunger or thirst

Your remembrance would satiate me?

"The (only) Creator of the heavens and the earth! You are my Walî (Protector, Helper, Supporter, Guardian, etc.) in this world and in the Hereafter, cause me to die as a Muslim (the one submitting to Your Will), and join me with the righteous." [The Noble Qur'an 12:101]

[Image Source:Unknown]

A Pauper Before The King

Yet another blessing from the Kingdom of the Most Merciful
And my poverty absorbs my conscience
And my conscience absorbs my poverty
I feel like a man who out of destitution falls on his knees, his eyes gazing at the sky
And then in adoration falls prostrate

And remember! your Lord caused to be declared (publicly):
"If ye are grateful, I will add more (favours) unto you;
But if ye show ingratitude, truly My punishment is terrible indeed."

[The Noble Qur’an 14:7]

Click here to listen to this Ayah (verse) in Arabic

[Photo Credits: Peter Sanders]

The Book of Allah (& Our Condition)

Superficiality: Our crisis, the condition of our nation
The Book: a criterion between right and wrong
A guide unto mankind, so that we may ponder
So that we may reflect

Let alone comprehension
A once in a while half-hearted recitation
Dry eyes, silent heart, impassive conscience
The Kitab kept closed; The fire burning fiercely

‘But I don’t know Arabic’
“And whoever fears Allah,
He will provide him a way out…” [The Noble Qur'an 65:2]
If you fear Him, that is; Go, strive
may Allah be with you

‘But my family, my job, my studies’
Atleast desire it and ask earnestly with tear-filled eyes
From Him whose treasures in no way decrease

Superficiality - our crisis, the condition of our nation
The excuse precedes the rationale
And laziness blinds the eye
The lack of will domineering over his soul
Will he ever break away his chains?

[Photo Credits: gettyimages.com]

O Ramadan

Few sought your crescent
Many feared the hunger to come
Few prepared with might and soul
Many stocked their stores
Few understood true worship
Many sought emotions
and gave way to custom and innovation

Few wept as they broke the last fast
Wishing it would last forever
Hoping they’d live to see it again
O Ramadan, bear witness for us
Bear witness

Many exuberant about the corruption
They were to fill the earth the very next day
A license from the Lord, and the disbelief of the ingrate, man.
Peace Ramadan, let’s indulge, we deserve it after all

After our nights of half-hearted standing, bowing and prostration
Our days with remorse for that morsel of pie
And complaints of lethargy and heaviness
Peace Ramadan, hope to see you again (not)

“O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you
as it was prescribed to those before you,
that ye may (learn) self-restraint,-” (The Noble Qur’an 2:183)

O my brothers, take heed

[Photo Credits: http://gettyimages.com]

This Change of Heart

To man:
And so I have seen your eyes turn toward me
Haven’t you noticed it, this change of heart
You know I felt a cleft between us, a distance apart
A slight disliking, a frown, a fretful nod

And you as well, and you...
What has caused it, may I ask?
For before you used to despise me with a bitter heart
And so I have seen your eyes turn toward me
And your arms and breast widen
And I have seen you pray for me
Haven’t you noticed it, this change of heart?
You know I felt a cleft between us, a distance apart

Let me reflect, take a moment, and think about the past.
So I never prayed for you liking me, nor really desired it
But it would have been nice…to have a friend
But that cleft, I don’t know how to explain
It was there, but now I see your eyes turn toward me
Haven’t you noticed it, this change of heart?

So I turn to the texts, and therein I discover
Allah's Messenger, sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam, said:
"If Allah loves someone He calls (angel) Jibreel and says: I love so-and-so, so you love him. Jibreel loves him, and calls the other angels in Heaven to love that person.
They love him, then his love will be made upon earth, and he becomes loved."
And if Allah hates someone He calls Gabriel and says: I hate so-and-so and you hate him.
Jibreel hates him and calls the angels in Heaven and says: Allah hates so-and-so, so you all hate him.
They all hate him, and his hatred is made upon earthand he becomes hated." [Sahih Muslim]

Do you see?
It seems so obvious, so crystal clear
I hope its not an illusion, me and my high ended incorrect conclusions
Is it possible, is there the slightest chance

To Allah('azz wa jal):
What if it really is true
That O Allah, You love me too?

The Tightrope

On the tight rope of dunya
I keep walking... Destination Unsure
With sweat dripping from my brow I practice my balancing act
“O Allah please don't let me fall, I'm not a loser
O Allah guide me to the middle way
and make beautiful my balancing act
Let me dance my way to the end of the tightrope
singing hymns along the way”

As I take the final step off the rope, I look back
“I was afraid you know it wasn't easy, that tightrope!
I thought I'd fall, had you not enabled me to pray and call upon You, and been Merciful to me,
I would have fallen for sure
O Allah, I'll be honest, I almost gave in
Satan suggested You were being unjust by putting me on the tightrope
that You did not care, and he whispered, maybe You aren't there"

But Your book was there to guide me
and a spirit from You to strengthen me
and to affirm me, to make certain my faith, and,
indeed You are the Most Just, Most Merciful

“What made them fall off?” you may ask
Well, they thought this life was perfect
and nothing of ill fate was to touch them
in comfort and peace they were to dwell
they thought they deserved it!
and even still, good was theirs at the end.
so when things didn't go their way
they lost heart and profited not.

“Or do you think that ye shall enter the Garden (of bliss) without such (trials) as came to those who passed away before you? they encountered suffering and adversity, and were so shaken in spirit that even the Messenger and those of faith who were with him cried: "When (will come) the help of Allah?" Ah! Verily, the help of Allah is (always) near!”

(The Noble Quran 2:214)

[Photo Credits: brubeckcom.com]

My Child

My child, fear not the looks of strangers
Or the comments of the passerby - in your faith find salvation
Walk with your head high among people
And yet have a heart humble, submissive to the Most Gracious
Defend your honor and guard your chastity
As did Mary, peace be upon her

Take not to heart evanescent words and pathetic looks
They have not valued you with justice
Let their criticism increase you in naught but closeness to Allah
They feel themselves small, and out of envy, they speak, they glance and they stare,
To them is visible only the outer appearance of this life
They fail to look beneath the surface, and proudly deny that which is certain

If you are upon the truth, then why fear?
The sun rises in the morn only to set at eve
The earth rotates, only one day to halt
We age and return to dust
The day the trumpet is blown all of us shall go back to Allah,
Glorified and Exalted be He, the Lord of you and me

That which Allah has prepared for you is superior and everlasting
Put your trust in Him, never would He forsake you
No al terrosismo el Islam no mata
Allah with surety knows
pray to Him that he guide these people
to comprehension and correct belief

A young Muslim immigrant holds a poster reading 'No to terrorism, Islam does not kill' during a rally to pay tribute to the victims of the Madrid train bombings, in Madrid on Sunday. — Reuters

The Night Prayer

In the last hours of the night,
a man awakens to call upon his Lord:
In a condition of fear and hope
He stands trembling, ashamed
His eyes bear the burden of his sins
and upon sensing his weakness, they overflow

His standing, sitting, bowing, and prostration
His recitation, supplication, and remembrance
His reflection, gratitude, and repentance
are all in the best of forms:
The form most beloved to Allah (swt),
The way of the messenger Muhammad (s.a.w)

(Photo Credits: gettyimages.com)

Ebb and Flow

I try to revive the spirit

Of the works which lead me to You
I tread the path stumbling upon little stones, (and) then am left behind

My heart attaches itself to the world; I cling to evanescent dust
Realisation, a mercy from you penetrates these ears deaf
And causes the cover on this heart to melt

I turn to You and plead respite
Never again, never again
Will I commit sin – O Allah, forgive me

You unlock all doors
Suddenly a most passionate breeze takes hold of me -
I am taken into the realm of calm

And am no more, in Your sight, one despised
I feel the bounties overflow as my nose and fore touch the ground
I whisper unto You words soft and tender

Ah how ironical
These sweet utterances from a heart once covered;
One stained by careless hands

And then I feel Your existence:
For all doubt but You
And all hurt but You

"Oh what exalted disposition, I must say
None but a Lord can be such!"
I try to come closer- I stand before You with soiled hands, tongue, eyes, ears and limbs

As I step into prayer, I submit my whole self to You
Allah is Most great, I remind myself
As I recite, bow down, and prostrate

I feel my life renewed.
Thank You O Lord, I truly do feel You
Please guide me unto the path so that I may worship You and that I may please You

And grant me, so that I be the man
Who gives his all...
O Allah, indeed I submit to You

I turn to the Turner of Hearts
And feel as if I’m the jack of all trades
As if “my” sweet words were the cause of this bounty immense

As if my “righteous” deeds tipped the balance whole
As if my sins- mere flies warded off the tip of my nose
What! Hypocrisy still?

Deep-rooted, subtle, disturbing
A disease!!
…I see I have a long way to go

(Photo Credits: gettyimages.com)

The Cartwheel

dunya-
it's like a cartwheel, a never ending cycle
a continuous random circular dynamic motion
wherever life takes you
goals, ambitions, aspirations
plan, plan, plan
needs, wants, heartfelt desires
gratitude, patience
prosperity, adversity
my life your life
my benefit your sacrifice
your benefit i don't care
use abuse use abuse
money money money
more more more
happiness, sorrow
high, low
up down
right left
here there
more more more
life life life

slow down, here's a reality check:

"Every soul shall have a taste of death: And only on the Day of Judgment shall you be paid your full recompense. Only he who is saved far from the Fire and admitted to the Garden will have attained the object (of Life): For the life of this world is but goods and chattels of deception."

[Quran, 3:185 (Aal-e-Imran)]

And So I Learnt

Learnt to love God and obey His Will,
Find peace in His Grace, recite His words, and kneel to pray,
Beg His forgiveness and ask for guidance
For He is Exalted in Power, Wise.

We are blind and deaf to His signs
And unfamiliar to His trials.
At times, we tend to lose faith
For all we desire we cannot take
Thus we disobey and welcome Wrath.
But He is the All-Forgiving, Most Merciful

So we learn to diminish our desires and limit our undignified proceedings.
Bow to His grace and seek refuge in His calm
For it is where serenity is found, in superfluity.
Blessed be He, the Lord of Honor and Majesty
He is Allah: the Manifest, the Only, the First and the Last.

Way of the Believer

click to enlarge

(in arabic, are relevant verses from the Holy Qur'aan)

A fine-looking bird,
His plumage, arresting
His goal: One,
He remains focused, undeterred
Never does he swerve from his path
or drift from his goal

He is humble,
Yet brave, undefeatable
His heart, a vessel of gold,
Filled with nothing except the Light of Allah
Nothing but the Guidance of Allah
Nothing other than the Love of Allah

His mind, an auricle of purity and firmness
His intentions: droplets of Tasneem,
Crystal-clear
His wings, diligent,
As if the roots of a tree

He spreads his wings and folds them in
Oh, the liability they bear, is known to none but his Lord
To Him Alone he complains of his poverty
When he falls prostrate in ways you comprehend not
“Ya Allah, Firdaus-ul-Aala, Ya Allah, with the highest companions”
“Ya Allah, Your Blessed Face, Full of Majesty and Honor”

And you may ask:
What builds these wings of Hadeed
And what will moves them unrelentingly?
He replies softly,
I ask for no praise,
nor sympathy from you, O man

In my heart is true faith,
In my head, an intention firm
My right wing is patience and my left gratitude,
And praise me not, O disillusioned one,
Tis a little secret I hold fast to,
For all things come from Allah and to Him do all return

He pushes me forward by wind at my back
(The bounties of my Lord)
And He lifts me higher, with winds in my face
(The tests from my Rabb)
This is what you call aerodynamics my friend
And none bestows them except the Lord of all mankind

To the Ameer of the Student’s Cottage

An unwashed dish or an unclean sink,
a bite of food or a sip of drink
decreases not your assets in the least-
nay, it multiplies it in the life after

An unlocked door or careless word
replaced with a smile fills the world
and all that is in it -
your sadaqah ...after all

If treated unjustly, employ patience
be soft in word and kind at heart
like your Prophet (peace be upon him)
and in him you must find your exemplar

There is blessing in food shared
so, invite your brothers and free your heart
be satisfied with less: that was the way of the saints of old
And the blessing from your Lord
weighs more, much more, than a stomach full...

(Photo Credits: gettyimages.com)

Nature's Ways

I marvel at Nature's ways
how mountains so great
in the due course of time
are split apart by mere liquid

how on one face of earth
fruits grow in superfluity
whilst on the other
sands (of human despair) lie amassed

how trees branch and support
leaves bowing in humility
some stand haughty
while others oppressed, weak

each leaf has its own legacy
either detached from mother by human mediocrity
or blown away, with siblings alike
far from mother and far from life

(Photo Credits: zaytuna.org)

Follower of Vain Pursuits

“Should the day come wherein
I increase not in knowledge (wherewith)
To draw nearer to Allah
Let the dawn of that day be accursed.” (Hadith)

So let it be cursed, the day you wasted in vain pursuits
Your goal other than the Most Gracious
Your core taxed with corruption and bereft of purity
Your mind focused on lusts and devoid of humility
Forgetful of the Fire whose fuel is men and stones

So let you be cursed O follower of vain desire
Questions on time management and balance you put forward
And then sleep the dawn through, quenching thirst and satiating hunger by night
Showing people your false concern

So let you be cursed you pig - always dissatisfied
Frowning, ungrateful beast! You take in and don’t give out
You frequent trips to the privy , naked girls and pleasure city
So let you be cursed you dog: with pride you traverse the earth
Pressing the earth beneath your feet, You pollute the air you breathe
and kill the very flower you pretend to treat
So let you be cursed evil one, Let you be cursed.

But now as remorse trickles to slowly fill the vessels
Inside your heart, out of a faucet
(Remember) the source is your Most Generous Lord
As your dormant conscience awakens and pulls you apart
You desire to rewind and erase the days you lived

of disgraceful impiety

So fall prostrate
O loved one
And Aslim… (Submit)
To the Lord of All Mankind

Hawwa

It comes and it goes
That’s the nature of all things (in life)
You hold on to it like something sacred
You grasp it real tight
And let it dwell in your heart

It starts as a desire
And grows into a dream,
Cursed be this little source of ecstasy
You let it grow, it comes and it goes
Hawwa- everchanging!

Transience

(Photo Credits: gettyimages.com)

The transience of life I now comprehend
Preparation today begins for the nearing end
When my soul shall part to a heavenly abode
Where sinners forgiven their sins and righteous raised in rank
But authority remains in hand of the Lord I now befriend

Foolish I was to ridicule the beggar
Foolish I was to gather wealth
Foolish I was in days gone by
And foolish I was
(Almost) till the very end

The life I once lived is now past
One in which I had not time for Allah (when it is He Who grants me time)
It grieves me now to see
I longed for none but illusion
A spiritual ill, an incorrect conclusion

My friends wronged themselves
with weed and pornography
It took us not long to part
for Allah soon guided me
to His Light

Now I beg Allah
To guide them as He guided me
Nothing special was there about me
'Tis a mercy and a blessing unbounded
By His decree

(dua - the key to guidance, to everything)

Love Unconditional

Steadily God tiptoed into my heart,
And I prostrated, as He welcomed me with open arms;
Unconditional love, I then experienced.
Pure of mind, Pure of heart,
Purest of all.

He needed not I,
But I needed Him;
He loved me still,
But I not Him;

I claimed that He I loved most,
Followed by Prophet and kinsfolk.
Loving Him meant obedience and humility,
Virtues I dispelled as mere mediocrity.

It took me not long to repent,
And bid adieu to my unhealthy core.
Hypocrisy my heart did harvest,
And Satan I did befriend,
It took us not long to part,
For God soon made me,
Pure of heart.

It grieves me now to see,
That I longed for none but illusion;
A spiritual ill,
An incorrect conclusion.

The life I once treasured
Is buried in the past,
Now that I submit my soul to His Grace,
I feel so small,
For a repeat offender,
I surely was.

(Image Credits: islamic-world)

Earnest Desires

Wish to be free, desire to soar
Like an eagle, strong and determined
A dove, tranquil and soft
A lovebird, chirping a song
A one legged-stork, practicing restraint
A Muslim, submitting to Allah, the Most High

Instability

Instability, Insecurity
dominate the consciences of the faithless;
Seeking asylum in arms of the inanimate,
We give ourselves a false sense of proximity,
Only to later find ourselves deceived, deprived.

Those in whose bosoms we found serenity
Forsake us every now and then.
We were beguiled by their charm, and led astray by their tongues.
Our reverence for each of them changing,
As the winds in the turn of season

Our instability we try to shadow
By haughty behavior;
We stand pretending to dominate, while inside us dwells a little mole
Furtively making its way through hills and burrows,
Seeking refuge in one or the other, hiding behind closed doors.

We live our lives contradicting our own reality,
Seeking the approval of those around us:
Some like ourselves; others weak, but inside strong
We feed them with fruits of envy,
Ourselves being unproclaimed demagogues

Some of the weak are thinkers,
And of great intellect;
They understand us, and our behavior
They know our condition, but deceptively play their parts,
Mocking us behind our backs.

Our gods are the greens, and the hands that posess them.
Awestruck and aloof!
We look on in adulation and glorify their actions.
Our attire and dialect, an imitation of theirs
So superficial, so empty

After journeying for long - having traveled afar,
We sought composure through submission to a Divine Power
Whose Mercy - Benevolence - Omnipotence - we now acknowledge
Whose signs we denied since times immemorial,
Whose love we took for granted, and trials we sullenly lived through.

But now, instability from us has been far removed
And tears only of repentance and awe we shed
Our every prayer He answers - every desire He fulfills
He is our Lord, the Remover of despair
And The Benefactor of humankind

Introduction

In the Name of Allah Most Beneficent Most Merciful

In conjunction with a revival of religious thought in Muslim hearts and minds, a revival of lifestyles and sources of entertainment is also very much needed. Today, most youth are not fully formed (even at ages where the Sahaaba were major contributors to society).

We have cartoons, movies, junk food, music and computer games for entertainment! We have nurtured inactivity, lack of motivation and boredom in our children’s lives, while they (the Sahaaba) had labor, shepherding, swimming, archery, each other, and most importantly, families nurtured by the greatest teacher: Muhammad (p.b.u.h).

Just a tiny step towards betterment (as grown-ups) would be to introduce beneficial, healthy entertainment into our lives so the young could follow suit; entertainment which would help us grow and add to our balances on the Day of Resurrection inshaAllah.

InshaAllah, this web log will serve that purpose - at least for me. I intend to post poetry and pictures every now and then. You are welcome to comment on the poem/picture, and better still, initiate a discussion.

All the good in these poems is from Allah (swt) among whose most beautiful names is Al-Barr (the source of all goodness); it is He who grants ability and talent, and it is He who can take it away whenever He wills, Glorified and Exalted be He, Lord of the Supreme Throne.

Wrting these poems gave me an eman-rush, and served as a means of approach to Allah (swt) … may they be the same (and even more) for you. (Aameen.)