Poetry: Ashraf AboArafe
In the darkness of night, while eyes stared wide,
And swords dripped with hatred in the hands of the factions.
The Prophet walked, with Allah guarding his steps,
And his companion in the cave was the lifelong truthful friend.
He said: “Do not grieve, for Allah is with us,”
And the soul found tranquility amidst fear and danger.
They marched on the sand, guided by soaring hopes,
Until the land of palm trees and blossoms finally appeared.
And Yathrib welcomed the lights, chanting out loud:
“The full moon has risen,” dispelling all visions of sorrow.
They eagerly shared their brown loaves of bread,
And covered the immigrants’ fear with warmth and aid.
One shared his whole livelihood, and another’s blood
Was a river of generosity that never withheld nor ran dry.
They were a sanctuary, and in their profound devotion,
An impenetrable fortress for all the family and travelers.
Yet today, here is Gaza in her yearning agony,
Complaining to Allah of the abandonment by mankind!
Homes are bombed, children are displaced,
With no helper to be found in the plains or the caves.
In Lebanon, the groan of the cedars is suppressed,
And in Iran and Kashmir, the images burn with fire.
The regions of the earth turn their backs as tears flow,
While a blindfolded world closes its eyes to their fate.
Where is the brotherhood? Have our feelings died?
Or has the journey of cautious self-interest torn us apart?
The Muslims today have no Ansar to protect them;
Their oppressed spend the night in the grip of sleeplessness.
But the conquest of Allah’s Messenger remains our promised dawn,
And the return of truth is inscribed in the steps of history.
The Prophet entered, riding humbly with bowed head,
In deep gratitude to the Lord of the Heavens in the hour of triumph.
He said: “Go, for the breeze of forgiveness envelops you;
You are free,” despite all the past stabs in the back.
A pardon that soared far above cast-away grudges,
So the religion shone as a light filling the entire universe.
O Lord… O Creator of the universes, we implore You
To reunite us after all this despair and harm.
Unify the ranks of the believers, and make them
A single line, like a fortified structure that cannot be broken.
Grant victory to the children and the steadfast in Gaza,
And lift the affliction of the enemies from every oppressed soul.
Restore to us the era of the Ansar to guide our lives,
Under the banner of guidance… with Jerusalem ever in our sight.
