Poetry weaves the magic of words and invokes feelings within us as no other literary work does.
The Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (SAW) said, “Indeed some forms of speech are magical,” [Bukhari], and “Indeed there is wisdom in some forms of poetry,” [Bukhari], meaning that words can have a spellbinding effect and can captivate the hearts of people.
There are some wonderful poets who weave the beauty of Islam through the magic of words. They stir our souls to bring us closer to our Lord and fall in love with our Prophet all the more. So here, I have compiled for you some of the most touching works of Islamic poetry, courtesy of a plethora of talented, young poets from Instagram:
1. WHEN POETRY ENCOURAGED OUR FAITH IN ALLAH.
2. WHEN WISDOM AND PATIENCE BECAME OUR STRENGTHS FROM ALLAH.
3. WHEN WE KNEW ALLAH WAS THERE TO LISTEN TO US ALWAYS.
4. WHEN WE WERE ENCOURAGED TO SEEK FORGIVENESS FOR OUR SINS.
5. WHEN POETRY AFFIRMED OUR FAITH IN ALLAH IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY.
6. WHEN WE COULD NEVER GET ENOUGH OF OUR FAJR BLESSINGS.
7. WHEN WE REMEMBERED OUR BELOVED PROPHET MUHAMMAD PBUH.
8. WHEN POETRY INVOKED MATURITY IN US.
9. WHEN WE CHOOSE AKHIRAH OVER DUNIYA, EVERY TIME.
10. THIS REMINDS ME OF HOW SUJOOD IS OUR TRUE HOME.
11.“ Creator of the Earth and Sky “
– Creator of the earth and sky
– We ask for a rank that is high
– We obey in word and deed
– The prophet we must heed.
– This world is a trial for us
– And we know well that we must
– Obey the orders from my lord
– To avoid all sins and seek reward
– Our hearts quake with fear of you
– Our hearts wake with love for you
– And to Islam, we must be true
– In everything we think and do.
– This world is a trial for us
– And we know well that we must
– Obey the orders from my lord
– To avoid all sins and seek reward
– To people, we have brought our call.
– Men and women one and all.
– La ilaha illallah.
– No one is God except Allah.
– This world is a trial for us
– And we know well that we must
– Obey the orders from my lord
– To avoid all sins and seek reward
12.“ Every Day is filled with Blessings“
– Every day is filled with blessings.
– Don’t you see them? Just look around.
– Every day is filled with blessings.
– Look for those blessings you’ve not yet found.
– If you have sight, that sight is a blessing.
– If you can hear, what a blessing you have.
– If you have kissed the hand of a scholar of Islam.
– You have a blessing, which others have not had.
– So thank your lord for all of your blessings.
– Don’t forget to thank Him night and day.
– You thank your lord for the blessings that He gives.
– When you use these from your lord to obey.
13.“ Fear God”
– Oh don’t you fear God! Oh, won’t you fear God!
– Oh don’t you fear God! Oh, won’t you fear God!
– When you are Alone, Alone inside your home.
– Know that this is true, God For sure sees you
– And If you speak a word, For sure God has heard.
– No matter what you do, God knows about you.
– We are going to die, your body will lie.
–
– Down into the earth, Covered up with dirt.
– For some it will be dark, their body will be marked.
– The earth will close on them until their ribs are rimed.
– Oh don’t you fear God Oh won’t you fear God!
– Oh don’t you fear God Oh won’t you fear God!
– On the Day of Judgment, the people will be raised.
– Some will have no clothes; some will be dark-faced
– From dragging on the ground, and they will be disgraced.
– What will they do, when this day comes true?
– While crossing the Sirat, some people will be clawed
– It will pull them to the edge, and leave them on the ledge.
– Below them is the Hell, so scared they almost fell.
– Some will go right in, the pain of burning skin.
– Oh don’t you fear God Oh won’t you fear God!
– Oh don’t you fear God Oh won’t you fear God!
– The torture is so great the people want to drink.
– They look for relief that is what they think.
– They’ll get molten hot pus they drink it in Disgust.
– As it travels down their mouth, it rips them inside out.
– Oh don’t you fear God Oh won’t you fear God!
– Oh don’t you fear God Oh won’t you fear God!
14. “I Start My Day”
“I start my day by praising AllahurRahman “
– I start my day by praising AllahurRahman.
– The lord of all the worlds.
– And ask my God to raise the rank of the prophet.
– Oh God guide us, to be pious.
– Help us to be obedient, and grant us paradise.
– And on the Day of Judgment, we want to see the prophets.
– And ask for intercession, and enter paradise.
15.“ City of Madinah “
– Are you going to the City of Madinah?
– Are you going to visit my beloved?
– Are you going to the city of Madinah?
– To be with Taha the best of all the prophets.
– And when you stand before him at his grave
– Won’t you ask for us his intercession
– And when you stand before him at his grave
– Please don’t forget us in your supplication.
–
– Are you going to the City of Madinah?
– Are you going to visit my beloved?
– Are you going to the city of Madinah?
– To be with Taha the best of all the prophets.
– For he’s the one the weeping camel spoke to.
– And he’s the one the moaning trunk yearned for.
– O he’s the one the trees and rocks greeted with.
– Assalamu ˆ alayka, ya Rassullallah.
– So won’t you say when you face him at his grave
– Assalamu ˆ alayka, ya Rassullallah
– Assalamu ˆ alayka, ya Nabbiyyallah
– Assalamu ˆ alayka, ya Habiballah
– O won’t you pray for us in al-Madinah
– Pray that God grants us his generosities
– Pray by the virtue and the glory of our prophet
– Nabiyy Mohammad, the prophet of mercy.
– Are you going to the City of Madinah?
– Are you going to visit my beloved?
– Are you going to the city of Madinah?
– To be with Taha the best of all the prophets.
16. “ True Love”
O those who seek true love,
The meaning of true love,
True love is loving for the sake of God.
Advise each other to follow the Messenger.
And do good deeds for the sake of God.
The pious ones, who love for the sake of God,
Will be in the shade on the Day of Judgment,
in the shadow of the ceiling of Paradise.
Rejoicing in the happiness that remains.
The pious ones who love for the sake of God,
Help each other work for the Day of Judgment,
They gather in worship with true sincerity,
And help each other leave the evil deeds.
The pious ones who love for the sake of God
Remind each other of the day of judgment
And to fear God who created everything.
17. “ Make Salah ”
– Make Salah, make Salah, to God make Salah
– Try so hard to obey, make Salah every day
– Make Salah, make Salah, to God make Salah
– Make Salah at night make Salah when its light
– O God, we obey and we pray every day
– If you will we obey and we pray every day.
– Make Salah, make Salah, to God make Salah
– Make Salah in the time that is blessed and sublime
– With the fear in your heart let the prayer from you start
– If with patience you try, then your rank will get high.
– O God, we obey and we pray every day
– If you will we obey and we pray every day.
18. “ Every Day is filled with Blessings“
– Every day is filled with blessings.
– Don’t you see them? Just look around.
– Every day is filled with blessings, yes it is
– Look for those blessings you’ve not yet found.
– If you have sight, that sight is a blessing.
– If you can hear, what a blessing you have.
– If you have kissed the hand of a scholar of Islam.
– You have a blessing, which others have not had.
– So thank your lord for all of your blessings.
– Don’t forget to thank Him night and day.
– You thank your lord for the blessings that He gives.
– When you use these from your lord to obey.
19. “Rejection“
A reminder of sins, Jerky de-fire, Come, come to Islam. Look, it’s running out! Life balance. Poetry, A heartbreaker. It is not our goal, Never rhyme. No more levels? Pros or cons? Every second. Wake up, brothers! What’s with this blunder? They call it a gift. Why the credit name? Forget the interest, Defeat your conscience, And forbidden halal So you can lose. Look! That miserable invitation. Love word Blankets, That called adultery. What kind of spirit is this? It’s like a century of ignorance, an Invitation to sins, Then call Hell, A great bonus! We gave them rejection, Thank you, tricksters, and Every disqualification. Lord! Give it to my students! A great choice. Damn! Every tomb that comes to restraint. Wastewater, Granted condolences.
20. “A Blessing If You Would Learn“
The heart when young, so blissful and knows no sin the mind’s ego knows no bounds, its strength within The earth, sound and steep, its fruits the soul entice the taste of spice great! to every slice a price The eyes rain and the mouth would savor its pain when dry is your land, sow no seed, reap no grain Valiant steps fear no edge nor the burn of sands wish to die for the glory of walking God’s Lands Specks of dust make souls blind can turn lives to dust just a spark of deep Faith heralds paths to trust Ascend and observe, gems in you aim to earn What seems as harm, a blessing if you would learn God for you paves paths and lends many a hand a deep well of Love granted to flood your land Those warm drops of Love and Life, in time of birth brought heaven under your feet, mothers of earth Peace and joy in voice of heart to God raise praise light in the soul, a power with beauty would blaze Brushes and pens paint and a language translate the soul ebb and flow beyond language and state.
21. “SMILE AT A MUSLIM”
These are just a few words about reality, as Muslims struggle each day with individuality. What is a Muslim and from whence does he come? Like you and me, he is born into the world. because of two someone. Many of us grew up knowing prejudice in life, I was gangly, naive, and ever given to strife. Raised as a Christian I never knew what it meant, As my Muslim friend, how people could vent. My younger years were spent playing baseball you see, They were a team of Puerto Ricans, not one Muslim to be. My Polish heritage was always the butt of a joke, It was infinitely small, compared to a Muslim’s yoke. My parent’s generation was prejudiced in mind, To Blacks, Jews, Hindus, Muslims, Hispanics, and people of all kinds. I, being naive, never even recognized the strife, to which these peoples had been subjected in life. From experience, I learned to treat each person individually, slowly finding out that that was how they treated me. Oh, I can say I’ve met both good and bad, and the underlying theme is all so sad. For it seems that we put labels on people like cans of beans, stick them on a shelf, never tasting their means. But once you open that can and taste the fare, you may very well find yourself going back there. We have our share of detractors in this world of our choice, but Muslims are not the ones against whom we should give a voice. They are as decent, hard-working, and loving as you or me. They only want what is best for their family. I pray to my Christian God for Muslims though they know it not because they are people that He has not forgotten. Words between man and God are private you see, that is what connects man to his Deity. But in every society, there is always some remark made aloud, about how this group or that group has no right to be allowed. What, I wonder, gives them the right to speak that thought? Unless it was the freedoms for which this country fought. And I am sure that the Muslims fought with us too, so they could have an American dream or two. So, I think I’ll stay in my own naive little way, and keep those prejudices well at bay. I won’t care whether the next person is Red or Yellow, Black or White, I don’t care if he’s Hindu or Christian, Jewish or Zen on sight. Yes, I’ll like the next Muslim I see, I’m going to smile at them, and I bet they smile back at me!
22. “My Father Your Father Our Father”
My Father Your Father Our Father My guardian and protector from the evils of deception I thrive in your presence by learning from your correction The past present and future, you are the connection My life has purpose when others see your reflection I lift my hands to the “Ancient of days.” Allow me to walk in the counsel of your ways. Accept my offering as I give you praise. Let my tongue be honorable in every phrase. I have strayed from the path, that you gave Without you I’m destined for the grave To my desires I’ve been a slave Transform my weakness, please make me brave. I am unworthy, I know it is true Nothing in this world compares to you Seeing through your eyes the world in new You are perfection in all that you do. Some seek to find you, through the words of the Koran Others choose the Bible to learn of your plan My understanding is finite for I am just a man Help me to be humble, please reveal all you can Fulfill my desire exchange bitter for sweet At the waters of baptism we shall meet My direction each step please guide my feet You give me breath you make my heartbeat.
This piece was created with my friend and Poet Mohammad Imtiaz. A praise poem from a Muslim and Christian Perspective.
23. “Islam is Peace”
I’m a Muslim whose voice remains unheard. Peace was the first thing I eagerly learned. Peace, the world’s main hope and ambition, Is the ultimate goal and name of my religion. “Peace be upon you” is my all-time greeting To everyone I run into or see at a meeting. Love, the world’s greatest aim and ambition, Is the be-all and end-all of my religion. Our Prophet once said, “Shall I tell you what to do to find love, let there be peace among you?” Let there be peace and love will grow. Faster and stronger than all we know. Islam is the peace that leads to love If peace is there, so will be love.
15/12/2015
24. “ONE THOUSAND AND ONE BOMBS ON BAGHDAD“
We were accustomed to reading one thousand And one night in Baghdad… Tonight the glorious city sky is sad, It sounded bang! Bang Where is my mummy? Where is my dad? Are they all alive under the cruise wreckage; Or are they all dead? The ‘Rashid city was weeping, It rained hatred, It rained prejudiced, It rained cactus of different shapes, They’re all aliens, Some were homemade, They’re all colorful, In blue, in yellow and in red. Do you still remember brother? Because if you don’t I still do What the big Satan, Lucifer what he said! The cross versus the crescent, take it or leave it, An entire racism by the media was also fed. Some hidden in a banker, Others crawling of hunger, Others demonstrating anger, Pale, yellowish faces they all looked bad. Where is my nation…My Arabity..My Islam? Oh…Mutasamahh! Where are my brothers? Are they all dead??? They called it precise bombing and it was right indeed, In the heart of the baby’s heart Like the British game of dart, The arrow hit its target, It hit it like mad. Nobody moves a finger, In the age of Patriot and Stinger, They all believe in star wars, economic prosperity, They all believe in the Pope, pop-star singers, They all believe that one-day Allah would side with them to defeat, The neo-Thamud and Aad, They’re all waiting for the coming future Mahdi, And for the Armageddon battle to be led.
25. “RELIGIOUS TRAIN TO PEACE”
There’s a Train Going to Peace Station. Christians, Buddhists, Hindus, Atheists, Each occupied a Compartment But never Bothered one another, Just like the Two Rails of the Track That Travel Together but Never Meet. Everyone’s Ticket is to Peace, They traveled in Communities and Their Compartment Number Never really mattered. Then came budding Islam, Who wanted their own Engine, Though They are Destined to the Same Station. They made an Exact Replica of the Train, Their ‘Fight’ for Peace overshadowed Their Destination and they Launched Their Train on the Same Tracks, But in the Opposite Direction. Compartments filled with Innocent Followers, but Engines Piloted by Terrorists And Religious Leaders. They are only Focused on Increasing The Number of Compartments To gain Strength and Accelerated As Fast as they Can. But One Thing They Failed to Realize is, No matter how Long the Train is, On Collision, Whole Train Derails, Killing Innocent Passengers, on Both Trains.
26. “I Have Only My Prayers“
I have only the Love fuel of my heart a remedy for my mind winging towards a full Life taming dormant dreams into verity. I have only my Faith nourishing my spirit a wealth of convictions, a merit an unseen growing strength sweet contentment in despair. I have only my prayers an utter submission a body into oblivion a soul melting errant but ascending. I have only my words to rhyme with the tone of my heart and seek healing as my soul shakes souls via verses that do not rhyme.
27.”A little land that’s built on sand”
There is a little land that’s built on sand in the Middle East To listen to the world complain, you’d think it was a beast Yet it’s more diverse, and dynamic, than the USA 100+ countries immigrants flourish there today As for democracy, why there’s nothing to compare Fully 20 parties over there vie for electoral shares Freedom of–not from–religion is absolutely guaranteed And no one’s made to recite a pledge To a flag he can’t believe Minorities ARE protected there; they make a real impact Arab statesman constitute 10% of Parliament, in fact… By now you’ve surely guessed the country that I’ve yet to name For to even say the word today can get you killed or maimed But eventually, the truth will out, as it always does: Those who bang the drums today for tiny Israel’s death Will come tomorrow to recant their misguided shibboleths
28.” The Jerusalem War Between Boys”
The soldiers said That the boy threw a grenade. The parents of the boy said That the soldiers planned to kill him. This is what happens When one person believes that another person Is but an animal, And not a human. People will self-fulfill as animals And it’s much easier to kill An animal, especially when you are an animal. So, this is what really happened that day- Both sides were right. The boy walked down the street, Before dawn, and saw the soldiers, Who were walking on eggshells With fear and expectation, (Of course, they were mere boys themselves). When the boy saw them look his way, He reached into his basket And threw a fresh egg In their direction. The boy’s face had just a split second To crack a small smile Before the bullet Shattered his face And skull And the soldier Was left with egg on his face As well, but unfortunately, Just a split second after he fired the shot. So, eggs are grenades. Boys are killers. And that is when the cock crows Between boys In a Jerusalem morning.
29.” The Land Of Promise”
Often called the land of promise, Mindanao my native land, Her soil is wet with innocent blood, The promises many but few are done, Here stealth cunning warriors, Are professed men of god, Their decency turns to refute, For shedding innocent blood, Anguish pierced deep in our hearts, Even on calm starry nights, Anytime in the city or the woods, Barking guns shimmering lights, Is there hope for tomorrow, Will our wailing cease? Will our children and their offspring, Have the chance to live in peace?
30.”The Greatest One”
Oh! the greatest one, The only I believe in, Than friends I meet every day Your existence in silence, In the deepest hearts Earth, galaxies and great creations Leading scientist to compete Interpret yours into queuing puzzles In the voyage of million light-years I only see and read your signs Through your trusted people and holy books Never be in competition But I believe in supreme you Than logic and them Oh! the greatest one
31.”To Be Muslim”
I cover myself. They ask, “Why, are you ashamed?” I say, “No. I’m proud.”
32.”The Wandering Yogi”
??? ???? ?????? ?????? The Wandering Yogi From city to city, from every town to town Catching every smile to smile, every frown to frown. His allegiance goes to the exalted one, not any nobility nor the crown. The mysterious venture itself is a compass – forever trailing up and down. He vision’s more to the sandstorm than just the sands might. What he really seeks is the commandeering winds, hidden from man’s sight. For he is like a moth, forever trying to follow the mystical light. A servant of humanity, here to douse out one fiery plight. The mystical light to him is like the sweet essence of nectar to a bee His journey has no fragrant flower to guide the way, only his heart must-see. The burden of Caste, Creed, and Colour cannot weigh him down – forever he is free. These bitter ingredients are for his pestle and mortar, mixed together to serve him. Always alert, always ominous. Wary of the treacherous thorns. Even the smallest prickle can poisonously permeate – towards the path of the one with horns. Decorating his path to God for others to follow – moving on as he adorns. And for those who have permanently set their ship astray – he shall set up half-mast, for he mourns. From sunrise to sunset. From a healthy youth to a venerable age. Adhering to his spiritual principles. A beacon of knowledge – a mystical sage. Until he reaches his beloved, his only shelter against this life is faith and a hermitage. Walking steadfast on an arduous journey of pain and languish – traveling away from life’s cage. The Wandering Yogi.
33.” Paradox of Civilization”
In Jordan’s desert, a building façade has been carved into the face of a vertical cliff. Stairs leading to the structure are lined with lanterns. Looking up, a view standing right of center, the stone appears orange near the base fading to black at its top. Where the cliff’s edge meets the night sky, darkness brightens into starlight. While appearing more ancient, this façade has features of Roman architecture: columns, shallow gables atop flat roofs, and carved figures decorating idle spaces. It has two stories. Its first has six columns. Two are set back from the entrance that is supported by four beneath a gable. Two horses are carved on the wall between the first and second columns, two more are carved between the fourth and sixth columns. Inside a portico behind the center four columns, steps lead up to a tall entrance, black, an opening to a large chamber inside the rock. The second story, as wide as the first, has a block cut from its center. On each side are half gables, supported by two columns. Statues are carved beneath each gable. Between these gables is a turret supported by columns. A statue of a human figure stands within the turret. The grand scale of the western façade should be alien in the Jordanian desert. It should be but is not. If taken from the rock and perfectly constructed in Washington D.C., with a coat of white paint, it would not look out of place. A fusion of West and East, this place begs questions about the people who carved it, the political and religious beliefs of their civilization, its purpose in a desert, and how it could be ahead of its time.
