Sun, 21 Sep 1997

Islamic Poetry

Islam is my creed,

number one on this planet

Islam is my flag,

here and there it is flown

Islam is my prayer place,

it is as luxurious as a palace

Islam is my school, it is second to none

Islam is my turban

Islam is my prayer rug

Islam is my scripture

Islam is my podium, executive class,

changing the way the world looks at me,

and from where I hit the mass

Islam is my media,

the communication model of the day

through which I knock out anybody

Islam is my organization

Islam is my business

Islam is my foundation

Islam is my office,

a minaret with a thousand loudspeakers

Islam is my congress, a chaotic forum of no competitors

Islam is my bourse

Islam is my eating place, selling heavenly foods

Islam is my supermarket, offering all human needs

Islam is my nourishment

Islam is my theater, featuring sacred characters

Islam is my festival, greeting the dead days

Islam is my T-shirt

Islam is my stage

Islam is my seminar, discussing everything

Islam is my ceremony, welcoming everyone

Islam is my poetry, chanting anything

Oh God, am I a Moslem still?

-- A Mustofa Bisri

Translated from Tadarus by TIS

If you are always busy when will you have time

If you are busy with your theory

When will you have time to put it into practice?

If you enjoy only the theory

When will you savor its benefit?

If you are busy making a living

When will you enjoy your life?

If you are busy enjoying just life

When will you really live?

If you are busy with your seat

When will you start thinking about your ass?

If you just think about your behind

When will you have time to think about your crap?

If you are busy fooling the people

When can you capitalize on your knowledge?

If your knowledge is absolutely yours

When will you let others benefit from it?

If you only have time to show off

When can you prove you are brilliant?

If you only try to prove you are bright

When will you become a wise man

If you are busy scorning the people

When will you have time to prove their shortcomings

If you are busy proving others' faults

When will you be aware of your own?

If you are always involved in quarrels

When will you ponder the cause of the conflict?

If you are busy thinking about the reason

When will you be aware that you are wasting time?

If you are head over heels in love

When will you think about its meaning?

If you think only about its meaning

When will you enjoy the affection?

If you are busy giving sermons

When will you understand its wisdom?

If you are busy thinking of it

When will you want to practice a bit?

If you are busy glorifying God's name

When will you realize His greatness?

If you only care about greatness

When will you really know Him?

If you are busy talking only

When will you digest the topic?

If you only think about your chat

When will you comprehend its meaning?

(If you are busy reading poetry

When will you really enjoy poems?

If you are busy with their meaning

When will you know the substance?

If you are busy with its kernel

When will you dig deep?

If you only interpret it and itself

When will you become one with Him?)

"If you're busy with your questions

When will you hear the answers!"

-- A Mustofa Bisri

Translated from Ohoi by TIS