.
He arose with gleaming eyes and the traces of last night
still smouldering from the ardour of the tryst.
From her side of the bed, she sat up, carefully observing
Pangs of suspicion swelling, sensing some foreboding:
.
What do you sing with a drunken dervish?
Sing and cry with a drunken dervish?
What do you cheer with a drunken dervish?
Early in the morning!
.
.
A dedication to Shaykh Muhammad Ibn Al Habib, Allah sanctify his secret
.
If you gaze at this world with your spirit,
You’ll see the light that shines through Him
If you pierce through the earth with your secret
There’s naught to fear or to grieve.
.
By Novid Shaid, 2011
.
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.
.
Notes:
Murshid: an Arabic word for spiritual guide
By Novid Shaid, 2011
***
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:
.
By Novid Shaid, 2011
.
(based on a poem attributed to Rabia Al Adawiyya, “Ya Habeeb al qulub”)
.
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.
By Novid Shaid, 2011
.
Once there lived a lover from Baghdad
Who loved God so much it nearly turned him mad
If he did not settle his nerves quite soon
He would disintegrate into a fiery pool.
.
By Novid Shaid, 2002
Gaze with your heart and see
A never-ending sea
Its water is the wine of Unity.
By Novid Shaid, 2011
.
LA ILAHA ILLALAH!
From the mountain tops of Daghestan!
LA ILAHA ILLALAH!
To the pounding seas of the Caspian!
LA ILAHA ILLALAH!
In the tender grips of our fair ladies!
LA ILAHA ILLALAH!
Or the flailing fists of our enemies!