(Based on a man I met at the Hajj, 2005/1425)
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By Novid Shaid, 2011
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There was this personage
whom I met at the pilgrimage
whose holy tears I will never forget.
The Weeping Man I Met Around The Kaaba
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Category Archives: Poems
Murshid
By Novid Shaid, 2011
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Manifesting lights of infinity
Undertaking quests of profundity
Resonating with Divine symphony
Synthesising law and subtle mystery
Honouring the rich and poor equally
Instilling disciples with deep certainty
Disguising majesty with humility.
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Notes:
Murshid: an Arabic word for spiritual guide
Seeking Knowledge
By Novid Shaid, 1997
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All knowledge worth seeking
is like a never-ending dining table
covered with wholesome food.
Some stand gobbling wantonly
Wanting everything at once
While others only nibble
Their taste buds hardly aroused.
Pray let us sit at the table
With attention to manners and grace
Then let us dine with peace and patience
So we can enjoy the full measure of the taste.
Video: Commentary of this poem with Ustadh Mohammed Ali Moazzam from Lahore
When the Cynical CEO Saw the Treasures Of Lahore
By Novid Shaid, 2011
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For Data Saheb, Ali Al Hujwiri, Qaddus Allahu sirruhu
***
As he strode by blessed Bhatti gate,
The CEO’s pulse quickened with contractions of hate,
for what he deemed a place of superstition and ignorance.
But his mother told him to pass by Daata’s gate,
Weekly visits she instructed, to his growing distaste.
No longer just his mother’s son, but a man of wealth and weight.
Earning millions, with a flourishing global trade.
Founder of his brand, with growing conglomerates.
Still his old mother insisted he pass by Daata’s gate,
As he neared, he heard his mother’s words reverberate
Entreating her son, so loving and affectionate
With these lines she had sung since he was a weeping babe:
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The Would-Be Salafi And The Would-Be Sufi
By Novid Shaid, 2011
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Once there were two neighbours
who were locked in a rivalry,
for one was a would-be Sufi
and the other a would-be Salafi.
Keep Coming This Way My Dear Friends
By Novid Shaid
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When Naz and Beena, two drug addicts in love
one day repented, tears flowing like a flood,
that night they both dreamt of soft water flowing,
and heard a voice, far off, it said: “keep coming.”
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The Lights of the Sun, the Moon and the Hearts
By Novid Shaid, 2011
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(based on a poem attributed to Rabia Al Adawiyya, “Ya Habeeb al qulub”)
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O You, who created the dazzling light of the sun,
which fills the sky at dawn with a mesmerising crimson complexion,
and grows in height and strength until it scales its zenith
beaming down from way on high, illuminating and majestic.
La Ilaha Illalah!
By Novid Shaid, 2011
(based on the famous Arabic qasida)
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Sing it with sincere ardour!
Drink it in with cheer and fervour!
The authentic formula!
La ilaha illalah!
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When The Goofy Gora Did A Roza In Ramadan
By Novid Shaid, 2011
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When this Goofy Gora did a roza once in Ramadan,
He fasted so well, he made us all feel real bad.
He took it so seriously that we thought he was mad,
this Goofy Gora who did a roza in Ramadan.
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And That’s What Eid Means To Me
Down in the heart of Aylesbury
Lived a little bald man doing a PHD
On the mysteries of the Muslim creed
Like what on earth does Eid really mean?
Around he searched in the community
Interviewing a Muslim whoever he could see
And he told them about his mission to study
What on earth does Eid really mean?
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So first he met a great grinning Mullah Maulvi
Who told him: “Truly Eid is from Allah’s bounty!
It’s a great celebration, a time to feast!
After we’ve fasted it’s a great relief!
And that’s what Eid means to me!”
Next came a grumbling, middle-aged auntie,
“Well, there’s triple more cooking to do you see
From steaming chicken roast and gallons of mango lassie
When Eid is finished I’ll put my feet up you see
And that’s what Eid means to me!”
A little boy said: “I can’t wait for Eid!
I get some wicked flashy clothes, and plenty of money!
I say, Eid Mubarak to my da da gee,
In the morning the mosque, with shalwar qameez
And that’s what Eid means to me!”
“Yo, I chill it out with my bad boy hommies
We cruise on down with our beaming M3s
Filling the Broadway with our colours of green
Coz Eid is the time to show you Paki-stani
And that’s what Eid means to me!”
A young woman laughed, “I really love Eid
I wear exquisite henna and gorgeous mehndi
I dress like a princess for all to see
All the colours they sparkle like a Christmas tree!
And that’s what Eid means to me!”
“It’s a very busy time, very busy indeed!”
Said the barber, “the rush you’ll never believe
We don’t get any sleep in the night before Eid,
Cutting and styling, getting them ready,
And that’s what Eid means to me!”
“It’s time for tremendous generosity!”
Said a lady, “feeding orphans and the poor needy
We think of others who may be suffering, we
remember those who aren’t as lucky you see
That’s what Eid means to me!”
“It depends who you talk to,” said one of the momineen,
“It’s a time for joy and humility
Uniting with your friends and your family
It’s a day to remember Allah’s limitless mercy
And that’s what Eid means to me.”
So off went the student with his PHD
He collated his notes and made a summary:
“it’s all about food and looking pristine,
And enjoying yourself with your family
But it’s for praising Allah really, ultimately,
Now I understand what Eid really means!”
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Notes:
Da Da Gee: Urdu/Punjabi for paternal grandfather