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.
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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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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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
By Novid Shaid, 2005
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Help me in my desperate plight, O Lord,
The world is wrestling with my heart, O Lord,
Dragging me down an abyss, O Lord,
Desiring to suppress my light, O Lord,
So rescue me from my poor plight, My Dear Lord.
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by Novid Shaid, 2011
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O Allah! Lord of the brightest mornings and the darkest nights!
Lord of our terrible times and the moments of our greatest delights!
O Allah! Protect us in these dark days of murder and strife
Wrap us in Your love, with Your cloak of security and might!
If you can unmask the masquerade
Of life and its illusions
then you have overcome, in truth,
all obstacles of existence.
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If you can see the light of God
shimmering through every moment
there’s no-one that can equal you
in this entire existence.
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If others sit wrapped in their minds
ensnared by their devices
and you sit free and face your Lord
you’ve triumphed over all existence.
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If you can push aside the noise
of people and their distractions
and see your Lord through their demands
you’ve conquered all existence.
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If you can find, when calamities
spin through your life like whirlwinds,
the pre-eternal light of God,
you’re a gem of this existence.
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If you can find infinite stillness
when people around run riot
and find the One who truly lives
you’ve uncovered the secret of existence.
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If you can face your death with peace
and recognize your frailty
then you become the triumphant one
of life and this existence.
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If you can purge your heart of love
for fame and notoriety
and prefer to seek the light of God
you’re elevated over all existence.
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If you can make your goals for Him
and act with true intentions
the world bends, bowing at your feet
you’re the master of existence.
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If you can make your heart a slave
to Him, while others imagine
they’re masters of their own destinies,
He makes you King of all existence.
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O Lord when this world overcomes
our minds and our motivations
make us discern Your Reality
encompassing all existence
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And peace be on the messenger
and blessings without concession
who, if we ever met him now,
would revive our whole existence.
By Novid Shaid, 2011
The path to the mosque is tough, takes longer
The hazards great, filled with hidden dangers.
On one side, the path ascends high, to the right
But another drops dangerously down, to the left.
The path to the right is steep and thin
One needs balance to remain therein Continue reading
by Novid Shaid, 2011
For Our Fathers
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Like a roof, giving shelter from the cold,
Like foundations, shouldering the weight of his household,
Like a candle, lighting up his family’s world,
Like cement, binding us together with a firm hold,
is our father
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By Novid Shaid, 2011
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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.
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