Compassion
A beggar in the street I saw,
Who held a hand like withered claw,
As cold as clay;
But as I had no silver groat
To give, I buttoned up my coat
And turned away.
And then I watched a working wife
Who bore the bitter load of life
With lagging limb,
A penny from her purse she took,
And with sweet pity in her look
Gave it to him.
Anon I spied a shabby dame
Who fed six sparrows as they came
In famished flight;
She was so poor and frail and old,
Yet crumbs of her last crust she doled
With pure delight.
Then sudden in my heart was born
For my sleek self a savage scorn,
Urge to atone;
So when a starving cur I saw
I bandaged up its bleeding paw
And bought a bone.
For God knows it is good to give;
We may not have so long to live,
So if we can,
Let's do each day a kindly deed,
And stretch a hand to those in need,
Bird, beast or man.
You say
You say: “I’m too tired.”
Allaah says: I will give you rest.
You say: “I can’t go on.”
Allaah says: My grace is sufficient.
You say: “I can’t figure things out.”
Allaah says: I will direct your steps.
You say: “I can’t do it.”
Allaah says: You can do all things.
You say: “I’m not able.”
Allaah says: I am able.
You say: “It’s not worth it.”
Allaah says: It will be worth it.
You say: “I can’t forgive myself.”
Allaah says: I forgive you.
You say: “I can’t manage.”
Allaah says: I will supply all your needs.
You say: “I’m afraid.”
Allaah says: I have not given you a spirit of fear.
You say: “I’m always worried and frustrated.”
Allaah says: Cast all your cares on Me.
You say: “I don’t have enough faith.”
Allaah says: I’ve given everyone a measure of faith.
You say: “I’m not smart enough.”
Allaah says: I give you wisdom.
You say: “I feel all alone.”
Allaah says: I will never leave you or
forsake you.
You say: “Nobody really loves me.”
Allaah says: I love you.
Isn't the woman there my sister, by Mahasin Shamsiddeen
Isn't the woman there my sister?
in Islaam, I mean to say.
For I just took my shahaadah
at the masjied here today.
Isn't the woman there my sister?
I openly ask without any qualms.
The one who just walked past me
without offering me her salaams.
Isn't the woman there my sister,
though she stands alone to pray.
Each time I move to touch her shoulder
she takes a step and pulls away.
Isn't the woman there my sister,
the lady that is not of my race.
For both of us are muslim women
with varied hues making up our face.
Isn't the woman there my sister,
who laughed and made fun of me.
And those other sisters of mine who listened,
doesn't their silence make them also guilty?
Isn't the woman there my sister,
who didn't call me when I was sick.
For she seems to only show concern
for those special sisters, in her own click.
Isn't the woman there my sister,
who I invited for iftar in my home.
But unfortunately she did not make it,
how I wish she had bothered to phone.
Isn't the woman there my sister,
don't we both love our religion; this Deen?
Then why am I sharing my lament
about her being uncaring, indifferent and mean?
Isn't the woman there my sister?
Won't she open up and try to treasure
the love I want and need to share with her
as we both seek Allaah’s Merciful Pleasure.
Have you ever
Have you ever watched kids
on a merry-go-round
Or listened to the rain
slapping on the ground?
Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight
Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?
You better slow down
Don't dance so fast
Time is short
The music won't last
Do you run through each day on the fly
When you ask "How are you?"
do you hear the reply?
When the day is done,
do you lie in your bed
With the next hundred chores
running through your head?
You'd better slow down
Don't dance so fast
Time is short
The music won't last
Ever told your child,
We'll do it tomorrow
And in your haste, not see his sorrow?
Ever lost touch,
Let a good friendship die
'Cause you never had time
to call and say "Hi"?
You'd better slow down
Don't dance so fast
Time is short
The music won't last
When you run so fast to get somewhere
You miss half the fun of getting there.
She smliled...
She smiled at a sorrowful stranger.
The smile seemed to make him feel better.
He remembered past kindness of a friend
And wrote him a thank you letter.
The friend was so pleased with the thank you
That he left a large tip after lunch.
The waitress, surprised by the size of the tip,
Gave part to a man on the street.
The man on the street was grateful,
For two days he'd had nothing to eat.
After he finished his dinner,
He left for his small dingy room.
He didn't know at that moment
that he might be facing his doom.
On the way he picked up a shivering puppy
And took him home to get warm.
The puppy was very grateful
To be in out of the storm.
That night the house caught on fire.
The puppy barked the alarm.
He barked till he woke the whole household
And saved everybody from harm.
One of the boys that he rescued
Grew up to be president.
All this because of a simple smile
That hadn't cost a cent.