Reclaiming London's Voice, Muslim Youth Helpline Host Poetry Slam
Posted by Zaufishan events, muslim poetry, uk Thursday, September 15, 2011
Slam dunk! Londoners will perform poetry, comedy and sing for the youth. Represent!
The Muslim Youth Helpline is a volunteer ran support group, providing resources through e-mailing and personalised counselling for young people.
This 23rd September 2011, Muslim Youth Helpline will be hosting a unique 'Live Eid Slam', an evening of live music and entertainment that is open to all. The celebratory event is a fantastic boost to enjoy post-Eid with friends and help the socially active cause.
A poetry culture is growing in London and the Live Eid Slam is another momentous occasion to hear new young talent reclaiming their streets in whichever style they can. Entertainment will include creative expression through poetry, comedy, spoken word and singing.
How to get involved
The Live Eid Slam is being hosted at D'Gaf community hub, a new and exciting live performing arts venue in Stratford.
If you are a comedian, spoken-word artist, singer or poet, join the crew to perform at the Live Eid Smal. Email Samiya at:: samiya.rashid@myh.org.uk or call (UK) 0207 435 8171.
This event is supported by HalalGems and D’Gaf.
Book tickets
Tickets can be purchased online at {Muslim Youth Helpline} or by calling 0207 435 8171.
Venue: D’Gaf, 11 Leytonstone Road, Stratford, E15 1JA
Doors Open: 6.30pm Tickets: £20 (£25 on the door)
For more info: e | events@myh.org.uk
"Lyrical Art" - Join The World's Muslim Poets
Posted by Zaufishan events, islamic arts, muslim poetry Wednesday, June 29, 2011
A first ever online open mic event specifically arranged
by Muslim artists for Muslim artists.
Time: 7pm EST/ 12am BST
Hosted by and featuring: iconic Muslims Ammar AlShukry, and Boonaa Mohammed
"Some say sisters have flow - they just have no platform...
Some say, if you're not living in the UK/US/Canada, no one can hear you...
Lyrical Art: An ONLINE open MIC
To Attend: Complete your registration at www.iamammar.com.
To Perform: *Submission date has passed (28th June) but do submit your poems to {lyricalartpoetry@gmail.com} to showcase your talent for future events insha'Allah.
Look forward to a night of prizes, text voting, surprises and more.
One night. One mic. One Champion
Book your seat now {www.iamammar.com}
Book your seat now {www.iamammar.com}
Video: 'A Night's Prayer', Ammar Alshukry's Poem Inspired by Libya, Egypt, Sudan And Palestine
Posted by Zaufishan dua, iconic muslims, Middle-East, muslim poetry, videos Wednesday, March 09, 2011
Last year brother Ammar Alshukry collaborated with Leechon Films to create a visual 'kinetic' typography video on the topic of entering Jannah.
In the darkness of Middle Eastern uprisings, Ammar has once again produced a humbling poetic video in which he recites a du`a (supplication) we as Muslims could all utter. The four minute poem is in English with sweetly toned Qur'anic recitation and an Arabic du`a for the citizens of Egypt, Libya, Sudan, Syria, Yemen and Palestine. The poem is rhythmically read in first person, as though you or I were praying alone, standing in qiyaam, making sujud (prostration) to God and asking for the same help, with the same plea - this is a Night Prayer we often make for ourselves, and now we will pray together for our forgotten Muslims across the borders.
More often than not, we feel cannot do much. With distance, politics and bewildering implementations of law we either give up or react in rage. Yet, that is the very time we should turn to Allah wholeheartedly, and this prayer strongly advises the same.
As the poet appears on screen, black on black, a camoflaged image, you feel a light within you; the same flicker when praying. The video captures the feeling of ehsaan (excellence in faith) from the heart that knows the outward does not matter, nor the colouring, clothing or the location. And therefore black is the most befitting backdrop. Black symbolically narrows our attention to the poet's movements, his hands in prayer, his sincere speech, and most importantly, listening to those words that call out to The One God for Divine Support. Ammar Alshukry's Night Prayer video is one which Muslimness is grateful to have watched and we hope you'll share it with others insha'Allah.
Ammar makes du`a for Libya, Egypt, Sudan, Syria, Yemen and Palestine
Ammar's statement,
"With everything happening in the Muslim world, it's very easy to become news addicts. I'm in the same boat :) I heard a beautiful reminder though that encouraged everyone to do what they could to assist our brothers and sisters using our most powerful means; to call upon Allah, the One whom nothing is impossible for...So this poem just flowed after that. I hope it reminds us all to increase in our taqwa, 'iman, and du`a."
MUXLIM VIEWERS: Watch the beautiful du`a recitation by {AmmarAlShukry on YT}
Poem Lyrics:
'He stands…
He stands because he must..
He stands with two hands clasped over his heart lest it bust..
Or burst with a variety of emotions, pride, fear, courage,
And the need to fulfill his trust
It weighs on his shoulder so he stands,
His feet sinking in the carpet
In a small room in a seemingly smaller apartment
Enveloped by the darkness, but his eyes are familiar
With the night so he sees the dancing of the shadows clearly
And he recites, verses that he loves dearly
قُلِ اللَّهُمَّ مَالِكَ الْمُلْكِ تُؤْتِي الْمُلْكَ مَنْ تَشَاءُ وَتَنْزِعُ الْمُلْكَ مِمَّنْ تَشَاءُ وَتُعِزُّ مَنْ تَشَاءُ وَتُذِلُّ مَنْ تَشَاءُ بِيَدِكَ الْخَيْرُ إِنَّكَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
Say (O Muhammad ﷺ): "O Allâh! Possessor of the kingdom, You give the Kingdom to whom You will, and You take the Kingdom from whom You will, and You endue with honour whom You will, and You humiliate whom You will. In Your Hand is the good. Verily, You are Able to do All things."
And then he bows…
He bows with such ease,
That it would cause some to be deceived
For his shoulders so easily moved,
But that same back absolutely refused
To bow to anyone other than
The One whose words he had just recited.
And so he rises…
His body camouflaged, it matches the stillness in the air
His lips move softly, tongue quickly, his heart aware
“There is none who can give what you withhold,
And none who can withhold what you give”
Wa la yanfa’u dhul jaddi minka aljadd
He is not carrying arms…
Though he lifts the arms at his sides..
And he begins the conversation again and again he confides
Hands facing towards the sky, again and again he cries..
“Oh Allah…Have mercy on our family in Libya, Egypt, Yemen, Sudan, Syria, Palestine...”
Entire nations on his mind.
They will not be harmed…. Not from his side.
"Oh Allah support our brothers
Make the ground firm from underneath their feet
Be against Your enemies and their enemies
Show us in them Your power
Lift the hand of treachery of deceit from the Muslims
And allow for near relief for the believers
And heal the hearts of a believing people."
He is far from them, but in his heart and mind,
He is by their side, they are his joy and pride,
And they will not be harmed, not from his side.
So he stands as he has stood, at the same post,
Five times a day, and sometime near the end of the night,
With his hands above his heart, lest it burst as he recites.
He calls out pleading for divine assistance,
For he believes in angels; knows they arrive in an instance.
So he implores their arrival.
And he falls...
He falls so that a people can rise...
He falls, facilitating a tyrant’s demise.
Into the sweetness of prostration,
He falls, seeking forgiveness for any transgression,
That would impede the journey of the arrows that he is sending from his window towards their target,
From his small room, in his seemingly smaller apartment...
Enveloped by the darkness...
A Night's Prayer
By Ammar AlShukry ©
www.iamammar.com
Video snapshots:: Ammar
Don't forget to share so we'll be reminded of the power of Du'a.
Wa'salaam,
Ammar Alshukry
Wa'salaam,
Ammar Alshukry
More videos you'll love:Video: 'Kinetic Typography' Poem on Jannah by Ammar And Leechon Films
Political Music Video: "Silent Is Consent" by Poetic Pilgrimages & Mohammed Yahya
Chasin' The Dream: The Challenge For Muslims
Eid ul-Adha Mubarak From Muslimness And El Seed
Political Music Video: "Silence Is Consent" by Poetic Pilgrimage and Mohammed Yahya
Posted by Zaufishan islamic music, music, muslim poetry, political correctness, videos Sunday, February 27, 2011
In the name of God, compassionate & merciful
بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ | Peace be with you السلام عليكم
بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ | Peace be with you السلام عليكم
Female Hip Hop duo Poetic Pilgrimage joined forces with Mozambican Hip Hop Activist Mohammed Yahya to bring you this hard-hitting political anthem 'Silence is Consent', addressing the failure of our so-called leaders throughout the world to serve and protect the people.
From Egypt to Tunisia, Yemen to Saudi Arabia, Somalia to Bahrain and everywhere else where injustices take place daily.
Produced by Beat Thief.
Filmed and Directed by GlobalFaction.
I like this. It's hard hitting, frank; Poetic Pilgrimage and Mohammed Yahya aren't sugar-coating the state of affairs - someone is always responsible for the existence of oppressed people. What do you think? Slate or rate it in the comments section.
Buy Silence Is Consent now on iTunes
From Egypt to Tunisia, Yemen to Saudi Arabia, Somalia to Bahrain and everywhere else where injustices take place daily.
MUXLIM VIEWERS: Watch the explosive YT video {Silence Is Consent}
Produced by Beat Thief.
Filmed and Directed by GlobalFaction.
I like this. It's hard hitting, frank; Poetic Pilgrimage and Mohammed Yahya aren't sugar-coating the state of affairs - someone is always responsible for the existence of oppressed people. What do you think? Slate or rate it in the comments section.
Buy Silence Is Consent now on iTunes
More badass Muslims:
Fast Dreams, Potential Muslim Female F1 Driver
'My Spiritual Fix' Cutting Edge Video Blog By Navaid Aziz
Be Part Of The Poetic Pilgrimage
Link Love: 'Badass Muslimahs' The Blog
♫ "Hamdulillah" Official Music Video - The Narcicyst ft. Shadia Mansour
What To Take Away From The Egyptian Revolution
Fast Dreams, Potential Muslim Female F1 Driver
'My Spiritual Fix' Cutting Edge Video Blog By Navaid Aziz
Be Part Of The Poetic Pilgrimage
Link Love: 'Badass Muslimahs' The Blog
♫ "Hamdulillah" Official Music Video - The Narcicyst ft. Shadia Mansour
What To Take Away From The Egyptian Revolution
Video: "SACRED" :: Mustafa Davis and Amir Sulaiman, Poetical Artists Praising Women
Posted by Zaufishan iconic muslims, islamic arts, muslim poetry, videos Sunday, February 06, 2011SACRED :: Mustafa Davis | Amir Sulaiman from Mustafa Davis on Vimeo.
MUSTAFA :: 'This was a very emotional film for me to make. I was in tears most of the time while cutting the footage together. I shot this footage while in Malawi and it was just as emotionally difficult to shoot as it was to edit. I wept due to the immense beauty of the images coupled with the very real hardship the film depicts. It pulls at the heart and makes one want to smile and cry at the same time… a sort of beautiful melancholy.
The young woman in this film is a 14 year old orphan girl named Sosi struggling to survive against unimaginable odds, with no parents to care for her. I decided to make the film more abstract to visually show an inward reality that I was feeling… and possibly to mask the sorrow by making it more dreamlike. My work is often as much about me as it is about the characters depicted and that's possibly why this film was so difficult to make. I have to get to a very vulnerable place in order to bring out real emotion and its not always easy.
I'm a visual director and I believe that some of the most potent stories can be told without the need for dialogue or explanation. I was curious how Amir would interpret the film and if he would understand what I was feeling when I made it. I was concerned that the words might take away from the serenity and subtleness of the story. When Amir sent me the poem [that night], I was once again in tears. His creative mind and sincere heart brought more out of the film than I was able to do on my own. He understood the message at an ever deeper level than I did. I originally named the film "BEYOND" to signify that whatever it is we were feeling while watching it, whatever it is we thought we understood… that the reality was beyond what our minds could fathom. After hearing Amir's poem I was so moved that renamed the film "SACRED."
AMIR SULAIMAN :: 'This was the most difficult write of all of the VisualVerses so far. When I finished, it was also the most satisfying. Alhamdulillah (all praise belongs to Allah). This poem is about this young woman but also about women in general. The poem revolves around a quotation for Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (may peace and blessings be upon him) and his noble family.
Once a man came to the Prophet ﷺ saying,
"O Messenger of Allah! I intend to go on a military expedition, but I have come to ask your advice." He ﷺ said, "Is your mother alive?" He said, "Yes." He said, "Then stay with her, for the Paradise is under her feet."
The poem is also specifically about my mother. Watching this young woman walk a mile or so and walk back a mile or so carrying 6 or 7 gallons of water on her head, I knew without a doubt that mother would do the same for me. That made my heart proud and my stomach sick. I am proud to have such a mother and I feel sick that I have not striven appropriately to show my gratitude.
I say "in her breast is a thousand allegories/ in her limbs is a million other stories/ in her womb is God's Pride and Glory... Jesus Christ/ my paradise is at her feet". This is about women in general, but particularly the Black Woman as the womb of all civilization. In addition, since the creation of Prophet Adam (as), God has not brought forth a prophet or messenger (God's Pride and Glory) except that he had to pass through the private parts of a woman - be born. Our highest spiritual masters all came from a woman's lowest opening. Surely, in this are signs for those who consider. Prophet Jesus, for example, did not have a father but even he had a mother. This is why I mention him in particular. Then what is the appropriate honor given to these women, this noble creation, these prophet makers? Can we even measure or make a just estimation? I cannot. I can only say what my beloved spiritual master, has said, "Paradise lies at the foot of the mother".
Lyrics::
my paradise is at her feet
her soles make the dust sacred
her soul makes the dust sacred
what atlas carries on his shoulders
she carries in her arms
on her hip
her soles make the dust sacred
make the dust sacred
my paradise is at her feet
heaven help her
but heaven has
heaven has veiled her
like a bride
given away by her heavenly father
to man
but her holy matrimony
doen not match their ceremony
she was genuine
he was gesture
in her breast is a thousand allegories
in her limbs is a million other stories
in her womb is God's pride and glory
Jesus Christ
my paradise is at her feet
her soul makes the dust sacred
her soles make the dust sacred
my paradise is at her feet
her soles make the dust sacred
make the dust sacred
taken for granted
my tongue
taken by granite
my ego
an embankment
to prevent what are heart is saying
her
so simple, holy and naked
me
so silly, phony and vacant
what atlas carried on his shoulders
she carries in her heart
on her head
my paradise is at her feet
her soles make the dust sacred
her souls makes the dust sacred
iPoet poem: Qur'anic Love
Posted by Zaufishan Creative-Writing, muslim poetry, the idawah Monday, January 10, 2011Doses of love capsuled within a rainbow,
Burnt candle sparkled out light,
Sprinkles of air captured within a rose,
Petals flew before lions cried.
Fire burnt,
Ice froze,
Biscuit-dried,
Water became wet.
Burnt candle sparkled out light,
Sprinkles of air captured within a rose,
Petals flew before lions cried.
Fire burnt,
Ice froze,
Biscuit-dried,
Water became wet.
Couplets of gold,
Within verses,
Pages turn to sliver.
Ink dried,
Pen lifted;
The Words of Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala
Within verses,
Pages turn to sliver.
Ink dried,
Pen lifted;
The Words of Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala
Commentary
The poetry of Imam Al Shafi’ee inspired me to write this short poem. How words can be so few, yet carry so much meaning behind them. With fire burning and ice freezing, I wanted to express how our love for the Quran can not be measured by normal love, for deep love goes beyond the surface and deeper beyond the eye. The words of Allah are far beyond in wisdom than the words of the creation. Subhan'Allah. {www.islamicpoet.com}
The poetry of Imam Al Shafi’ee inspired me to write this short poem. How words can be so few, yet carry so much meaning behind them. With fire burning and ice freezing, I wanted to express how our love for the Quran can not be measured by normal love, for deep love goes beyond the surface and deeper beyond the eye. The words of Allah are far beyond in wisdom than the words of the creation. Subhan'Allah. {www.islamicpoet.com}
By Aaqib, resident poet
More:
iPoet, therefore iGive (poem)
UnProductive Muslim Wants you
Ramadan Nasheed by Sheikh Mishary
More:
iPoet, therefore iGive (poem)
UnProductive Muslim Wants you
Ramadan Nasheed by Sheikh Mishary
The Power of an Image. The Narcicyst
Posted by Zaufishan islamophobia, muslim poetry, muslim singers, Muslim-Media, Muslim-News, videos Saturday, January 01, 2011
Big beards, burning flags, women donning niqabs on a dusty road. I think we’re all a bit underwhelmed by the pathetic variety of images that we’re bombarded with on television related to Muslims and Islam. The saturation of media in all of its forms, from youtube to twitter to 24-hour cable news, has doused us with an unimaginable amount of imagery and information. And yet, only a very slim percentage of that content related to Muslims and Islam is positive.Enter the Narcicyst a.k.a. Narcy. If short videos, 160-character messages, and 30-second newscasts get people’s attention, this Montreal-based, Basra-originating hip-hop artist and his Palestinian-British backup singer sidekick, Shadia Mansour, want in.
Earlier this fall, they released Humdulilah, a music video praising God and featuring flashing closeups of nearly 200 Muslims’ faces from eight different countries. Humdulilah, a common expression of Arabic speakers of all religions, translates as “Praise to God” or “All Praise is due to God” and is similar to the Hebrew phrase Halelu Yah and the westernized Hallelujah. Narcy’s criticism of governments and militants, and praise for his family and faith, dominate the beats.
MUXLIM VIEWERS: Link to video {http://youtu.be/0ISHZQJdeSw}
While Narcy’s rhymes are poignant and powerful {myspace} – ”God, while we on the subject, please cut the string of the political puppets” — the imagery in the the video is what captures the viewer immediately. Quick shots of his mother, sister, and wife are among those of imams, artists, and various other Muslims, displaying an array of faces, races, and places. Each image, with its rhythmic entrance, complimenting Narcy’s lyrical wordplay, captures the viewer and tells its own story.
It’s these stories that need to be told. Who are Muslims, what is Islam? Hamdulilah, is a start.
Join {The Narcicyst on Facebook} Download {The Narcicyst on iTunes}
Video: 'Kinetic Typography' Poem on Jannah by Ammar (Leechon Films)
Posted by Zaufishan animation, islamic arts, muslim poetry, videos Friday, December 31, 2010
"Content doesn’t necessarily have to be in the form spoken word poetry – it should be the area of presenting who you are and what you care about."
Ammar is the head of student leadership development and training with AlMaghrib Institute. He also takes AlMaghrib seminars, he can make talking head videos addressing topics that are relevant to the AlMaghrib student community or topics of general appeal that also resonate with the AlMaghrib community.
The combination of Belal Khan's "kinetic" typography (the art of types/fonts) and Ammar's poem on yearning for Jannah has produced a visually poetic video. This is a new genre of "action-word-poetry" that in addition to voice, graphically emotes a movement and pace of words; yes - we want more. And more, and more.
MUXLIM VIEWERS: Watch 'Jannah' the "kinetic" poem on {YouTube}.
Video & video snapshots: Leechon Films.
More visionary Muslims:
The Key To Our Dream - Tarek Mehanna's poem from prison
Kh'Amazing Poems: The Prophets of Islam
Muslimness Featured in MBM Magazine
Dasham Brookins: Music And Islam: A Fear Of A Black Planet
The combination of Belal Khan's "kinetic" typography (the art of types/fonts) and Ammar's poem on yearning for Jannah has produced a visually poetic video. This is a new genre of "action-word-poetry" that in addition to voice, graphically emotes a movement and pace of words; yes - we want more. And more, and more.MUXLIM VIEWERS: Watch 'Jannah' the "kinetic" poem on {YouTube}.
Video & video snapshots: Leechon Films.
Feel inspired? Check out {Leechon Films on Facebook}
More visionary Muslims:
The Key To Our Dream - Tarek Mehanna's poem from prison
Kh'Amazing Poems: The Prophets of Islam
Muslimness Featured in MBM Magazine
Dasham Brookins: Music And Islam: A Fear Of A Black Planet
Event: (UK) "Connect the Dots" Spoken Word Poetry Seminar by BOONAA MOHAMMED
Posted by Zaufishan events, iconic muslims, muslim poetry, university life Monday, December 13, 2010Aston University Islamic Society joyfully invites you to:
A 'Spoken Word Poetry Workshop' presented by the one and only BOONAA MOHAMMED, right here in the comfort of our very own Aston University! You are being offered the exclusive opportunity to rub shoulders (with the respective genders) with the next generation of award-winning artists, with YOU potentially being the NEXT BIG THING! Can you really afford to miss out?!
ALL WELCOME | Open to brothers and sisters. Details:
The Prophets of Islam - Kh'amazing poem
Posted by Zaufishan Creative-Writing, edutainment, guest posts, muslim poetry, poetry, prophet muhammad Thursday, October 28, 2010In the name of God, compassionate & merciful بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ Peace be with you السلام عليكم
by Matthew Isa Fallon
We had the first man Adam, as tall as a tower,
There's the steadfast Yusuf with beauty like a flower,
Also the long-lived messenger so named Noah,
And there was the Israelite Moses who had so much power.
We had Ibraheem, thrown into fire but would not burn,
Remember Suleiman the wise? From whom we can learn,
There's Isa, not dead and he shall return,
And king Dawud, who's voice all would yearn.
Remember Yunus who was stuck for 3 days inside a fish,
And Yahya, who had his head severed and put on a dish,
There was Ilyas whom the Israelites would come to miss,
Also Harun, the Jews disobeyed, against his wish.
Remember Ishmael who went to Makkah, it was his fate,
There's Zakariya from Israel, his people had much hate,
Al-yasa, they called him "a magician", they made him debate,
Remember Dhul-kifl, his wisdom was great.
Idris, his soul was took whilst in the sky,
And Saleh, his people turned away and deserved to die,
Yaqub, told his son was dead, but it was just lies,
There was Hud sent to Aad, their buildings were high.
Remember Ishaq, born to his parents almost beyond hope,
Shu'ayb told his people to not cheat but they said nope,
We had Lut, the wrong sex his people would grope,
Also Ayyub, his suffering was long but he managed to cope.
There were many, many prophets, their faces filled with noor,
They will all be the first to enter heaven's door,
Stretching from America to beyond singapore,
But wait, surely I've forgot to mention one more...
Never will we witness any with his piety,
He came out of the desert calling to One deity,
When Judgement Day comes he's the leader of humanity,
In 23 years he'd built the perfect society.
That's right, his blessed name is Muhammad,
Countless great things was what he did,
His empire defeated the Persian Sassanids,
And through him the Qur'an has descended.
Each one of them, precious as a gem,
La ilaha ilAllah is their anthem,
They are undoubtedly the best of men,
Peace and blessings be upon them.
★ www.Muslimness.com | Share & Subscribe to the Kingdom of Muslim Blogs
'Fighting for Queen and Country'
Posted by Zaufishan Creative-Writing, muslim poetry Thursday, July 01, 2010In the name of God, compassionate & merciful بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ | Peace be with you السلام عليكم
From Muslim Ways
A poem written from the perspective of a non-Muslim soldier who is questioning the invasion and occupation of Islamic lands.
Fighting against the enemy
Those opposed to our beliefs and ideology
Planning deadly attacks against our home territory
Hence we invade
And consolidate
Our colonial outposts once more
Like before
The enemy is invisible
But has views which are incompatible
With Secular Democracy
Wants to take the world back to the dark ages
For centuries
So we fight for queen and country
Against the evil enemy
Whose weapon is terror and mayhem
The enemy attacks constantly
Landmines and fatalities
We suffer constantly
While they disappear
And hide, but only to re-appear
Hitting us when we least expect it
And filling us with fear and dread
Our casualties mount and increase
While re-enforcements arrive slowly
The dead make the news
And affect public views
While the wounded are hidden and ignored
Because they are an economic burden
And not good for morale or recruitment
The public back home
See us as a source of shame
The reason why they are targets
For reciprocal and retaliatory attacks
And want us back
They no longer believe the lies and fiction
Which are spun by the media and politicians
Sometimes I wonder
Whilst watching my comrades get buried under
Why the natives hate us
And support the insurgents
No longer smile and wave
Or see us as brave
Are we not the heroes and liberators?
Freeing them from the evil Islamists ?
They see us as invaders
Colonisers, rapists, murderers
Looters and imperialists
And hence they fight and resist
For Allah and their hereafter
Continuing the war of attrition
To see who gives up first
And the way things are going
Seems we’ll be returning
Either in a coffin or tails between our legs
Peace & respect ★ www.Muslimness.com
Bite size thoughts - Forgetfulness
Posted by Zaufishan Creative-Writing, death, guest posts, muslim poetry, writers Monday, June 14, 2010In the name of God, compassionate & merciful بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ | Peace be with you السلام عليكم
By Adam Deen
Time to time, for a fleeting moment my mind escapes the shackles of this world and the haunting of death grabs me.
It is not death that causes me pain and anxiety.
Rather, that I forgot that one day it will come.
iPoet: iGive (poem)
Posted by Zaufishan Creative-Writing, muslim poetry, the idawah Sunday, April 25, 2010In the name of God, compassionate & merciful بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ Peace be with you السلام عليكم
Hold your heart in your hand and shower people with it like the rain sprinkles water over us, droplet by droplet!
Give love to people with your kindness and beautiful manners.
Sway people towards Islam through every word you speak.
And through every action you do! Make your character the Qur'an, as best as you can.
For the best of character attracts even the worst of people and the hardest of hearts!
~iGIVE!
By Aaqib, resident poet
www.Muslimness.com
Sonnet#1 Delusion
Posted by Zaufishan Creative-Writing, muslim poetry, the poetical Tuesday, March 16, 2010In the name of God, compassionate & merciful بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ | Peace be with you السلام عليكم
Like my previous post on Muxlim Blogs, this is the first sonnet I have written. I have decided not to stay completely true to the form, but it is still a sonnet. Please read and tell me what you think in constructive feedback.
There they are, observe them with great impunity
But beware of their unrelenting curse
Lest it embroil you in flames. A disease of the heart, it bears immunity
Towards salvation, champions corruption, through empty barriers it triggers free-verse
Talking in tongues, with blind ambition their bodies walk towards the light
Naive, ignorant weaklings, their spirits seek but true darkness, a rough divide
Between all that was acceptable and that shakes the heavens, the audacity to incite!
Pure hatred they recite, rebellion exceeds logic and as experience believes me, I’ve tried
Looking through broken mirrors and claiming no guide
Existence without meaning, intentionally yielding angles
To shroud viewpoints that fuelled a worldly delusion
Alas, the resulting inferno overpowered in wrangles!
A once-white canvas, bloodied tracks from the evil of my soul
Persist in subsistence, never making life truly whole.
Saqib Ali Rashid
By The Poetical | Peace & respect ★ | www.Muslimness.com
Out of Darkness into Light (poem)
Posted by Zaufishan allah's tests, muslim poetry, poetry, the wanderer Sunday, February 14, 2010In the name of God, compassionate & merciful بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ | Peace be with you السلام عليكم
Demonic taunts whispered and teased, telling it its ground will crumble,
Suffocated in the corner of an ethereal room, it shrunk into a faint mumble.
The darkness awakened the murmur’s spirit overflowing with depression and despair,
Swallowed it into a cyclical black hole of nothingness, though it cried for desperate repair.
Hours of ranting and explosive poetry bled out gallons at the peek of night,
The hopelessness circulated its veins, craving to slash open and escape this plight.
Instead of prostrating humbly, dismal verses were spilt over the shelf,
And the hand tried to sweat out the confusion and cleanse the over-analysing self.
Tears trickled down out of the overwhelming asphyxiation, very near to the soul,
Drained after contemplating and waiting for something, to come and fill the gaping hole.
Sounds of despondency ticked away as the skies made it more pure,
Angelic colours danced to give it a hopeful state of mind, an invisible cure.
Abruptly a chirping echo illuminated the walls, piercing brightness through every sense,
Repetitive calls striking the heart, cleansing the layers of blackness that were so tense.
A moment of reflection in the light, washed the evil away, and left a decision to be made,
"Emptiness" (Poetry + Commentary)
Posted by Zaufishan allah's tests, muslim poetry, poetry, the poetical Wednesday, February 10, 2010In the name of God, compassionate & merciful بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ
Peace be with you السلام عليكم
How is everyone doing? I hope you’re all in the best of imaan (faith) insha’Allah. It’s another piece of poetry this week. This is one of my personal favourites – it’s called Emptiness. Enjoy, insha’Allah.
Emptiness
If there's anything worse than feeling angry or saddened, it's feeling nothing at all.
it's like searching for something that isn't yet there.
like trying to divide from zero.
Improbable. No, impossible.
How I'd rather crave fate to spiral downwards then to stay static for so long.
They say the Dunya is showing signs of aging; ending when time slows and grinds to a near-halt.
And yet I feel it won't move at all, like an unmovable rock.
Colour, sight, sound, has all become nothing but denotation, background, mise-en-scene.
Words become white noise without meaning.
Have I really did the unthinkable and sit in front of a fence, slap-bang in the middle of Iman and Kufr?
No, let me rephrase that.
Have I really done the unthinkable and stand on the edge of the universe about to dive into Ehsaan?
Even my emptiness cannot do this without prior awareness and yet nothing appears to be happening.
Wars wage and blood is shed over petty feuds and yet I become desensitised.
I must find sense in myself, and solace before even attempting to fathom other people, other ideologies, CIVILISATION.
A rusting bronze, a selfish chain of memories. Cultivation.
I'm not even raging, for raging ravens lead a path of destruction before climaxing into a ball of fire and profiling kamikaze into the earth.
Everything appears too blurred and too stationary for me to even react anymore.
The body doesn't want to move, except in prayer, and yet the body is encased in a bubble, impenetrable from the whims and folly of the outside.
Yet the mind is constant in movement; driven to extortion.
Solace. Solace. Solace. Pre-emptive strikes are useless, I must react with precision yet I fear I will lose focus as soon as the world arises.
Solitary, mind, body, soul; all alike in struggle. Night is the only conductor for this state. I await my fate.
The search for pillars soon became vain; they were poisoned with the world's antidotes and their foundations shattered as soon as my hand was extended.
I strive not to be a burden for pillars surrounding me lest they trip and fall at my aura.
Perhaps piety requires the need for solitary, maybe this is why he spent so many hours in that mountain, hidden away in that cave.
Oh how I crave land to be so reflecting and dormant in spirit and yet cower in silence at the world.
Should there ever be a pillar I come across, I pray that it be made of titanium, if He ever willed me to deserve such a pillar.
But for now, emptiness takes over the body, mind and spirit. This is nothing like Black.
I require no blood, or any requital to others.
I just want Him to extend His hand, and unwind the Dunya again.
An ultimatum most desired.
Saqib Ali Rashid
Commentary
One of the most impacting pieces of poetry in my life so far, I wrote this on the 17th of May, 2009, with some tiny redrafting completed just now. It was about 2am, and the title and theme of this poem, Emptiness, is essentially a culmination of the mixed feelings I was going through in the past few weeks prior to writing this poem.
My iman in general was pretty weak, to the point that my obligatory duties of a Muslim such as Salah were feeling ritualistic – robotic would be the word, without value or meaning. Alhamdulillah, I’ve moved beyond that phase a long time ago, but it was a dangerous time for me – I was feeling depressed, lonely and kinda helpless in the phase of life I was going through. So this poem is really the result of a need to make sense of myself and my life.
The feeling of wanting the world to ‘move’ was a desire to meet some sort of struggle, or conflict, to test my faith and make me remember Allah (swt) more. In fact, reading through this again has reminded me to work on my character, as I’m far from reaching the desired state of Iman I want. If there’s anything I dislike about this poem, it’s the excessive use of the passive voice. This was before I learned about stylistics at university and how the passive voice is rigid and unmoving. It sucks, basically. Maybe this needs a redraft!
Finally... is it ironic that I wrote this poem, being sincere in the emotion in these verses and then being woken to the sounds of mourning and screaming from the family. My uncle had committed suicide in the early hours of that morning, after Fajr (morning prayer). Subhan’Allah, that was only 3 or 4 hours after I finished this poem! It was one of the most traumatising periods to date in my life for me and my family, and a huge wake-up call too.
If you’re reading this and come from Muxlim.com, or just know me through MSN or Facebook et al, I should let you know that I’ve deleted my Muxlim and Facebook accounts, as well as spring-cleaning my MSN contact list. This is for a number of reasons: firstly, the second semester of university has started and I want no distractions as I study (insha’Allah I’ll be writing about my uni experiences so far, give me a couple of weeks). Secondly, the internet is a phenomenal tool. But for me, I realise how it was ruining my character, and making me lose sabr (patience). Sorry, but when you see so much stupidity from some people, you forget your manners. I’ll be inactive on that front for a few months, but I’ll be back, insha’Allah. Or not. Who knows?
Jazak’Allahu Khairun for reading, give feedback, comment!
