Belief in God and the afterlife hinges on the truth of the Holy Prophet’s revelations, argues Mujeeb Jaihoon

Iblis asked me in a dream,
A question strange, it seemed:

“Why in God
Do you believe?
How do you know
Exists He?

When have you
Seen Him?
Where have you
Met Him?

Hell and Zaqqoum,
Bridge and Paradise,

Malik and Ridwan,
Salsabeel and Houris–

Hey Son of Adam!

You are blessed to think,
Why accept this myth?

If more than me
You are great,
Give me a reason
For your act.”

For a moment
I had no reply;
Were I to lose
To the devil’s play?”

I then recalled
Those lovely words
My Shaykh taught me
In a converse:

“I believe in the unseen,
Not because I’ve seen.

My heart is firm:
Thanks to the words of Meem.

I know there is a Rabb-
Said so the Chief of Yathrib.

Quran is His words:
Since revealed through his lips.

Hoori and Kawthar:
Since told by the Moon-faced ‘Badr.’

My logic and thoughts
Are of no use
If not his path
I blindly choose.

My intellect
Has no weight;
His love-blade
Smites outright.

Hey Satan!

Leave me alone:
Someone else clown!

My blind faith
Is more supreme;
Your logic,
Utterly lame.”

Hey Beloved!

The reply would come
From the Lord
When upon you
Fell any vile word.

While your life:
Noble and humble,
The twin worlds with
Your greatness tremble.

The wealth of earth and heavens,
While spread for your command,
The same pillow you shared
With your lady as you laid.

Your praise and love
Are my health and wealth;
The rest of delight I enjoy
Are fruits of that twin tree.

The warmth of your thoughts
Keeps my soul alive.

I can’t think to write
Of matters else,
Under the sky
Nor beyond the stars.

Hey Beloved!

There is a love
Of another kind
When I talk
Of your love-kind.

There is a greatness
Of another kind
When I write
Of your greatness’ kind!

Hey Reader!

The Satan and the rest
Were lines for jest.

My heart was in haste:
Its ecstasy away cast.

Now it has come to rest,
Turned to state first.

It is with the love
Of this Beloved,
These verses
You happen to read!

My effort in this:
Zero;
His love alone:
I borrow.

July 2007. Edit June 2024