An Ode to the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) Part II

“Fear not! O Muhammad”, she said. “In your Lord, we trust and must not despair,

You join ties with relatives, ease people’s burdens and treat your guests with utmost care”.

Your mission had now started; Islam was universal, for one and all,

The task was not an easy one, due to the opposition, very few listened and heeded the call.

The very first believers were keen and true,

Khadeejah (RA), Abu Bakr (RA), Zaid (RA) and Ali (RA) – your father’s nephew.

But the call to One God was not happily welcomed or could be seen,

Abu Talib was told, “Tell Muhammad to renounce his deen”.

If they were to put the sun in your right hand and the moon in your left you wouldn’t have given up,

Whether it meant you were tortured, beaten or accused of being corrupt.

It was such a shame; they titled you as a magician and poet instead of your beloved name,

“He’s a soothsayer”, did they claim. For causing disunity, only you did they blame.

You taught the purpose of life; life is not a game,

“I call you to One God; like all Messengers, without any wage nor fame”.

After ten years of Prophethood, you lost two companions, loyal and faithful,

They would always be joint at your hip; the first was your uncle Abu Talib,

Then Khadeejah (RA) your wife, who would have for you, even sacrificed her life.

Then, one dark night angel Jib’reel descended.

He took you on a long journey which was blessed and splendid.

From the sacred house in Makkah all the way to Jerusalem, then to the seven heavens and high above,

You travelled on al-Buraq with speed, flying high like a dove.

The very same night you returned home, safe, to Makkah,

With a gift from your Lord, to the believers, it was the Salah.

Now the time came to migrate to Madinah,

And it wasn’t long before the first battle, Badr, took place in the 2nd year of Hijrah.

The enemy was strong, 1000 men fully equipped to their teeth,

The Muslims were less, actually very few, but they were neither disheartened nor felt blue.

This was a lesson, in history, to be recorded,

Even if you are few but sincerely true, Allah’s help arrives and you will be rewarded.

The help of Allah came, and flocks of angels over the blue skies flew,

Supporting the believers, who were devoted and close to you.

Although ill-equipped, weak and poor, Muslims were granted victory,

This was a day celebrated and remembered in history.

If the believers obey you, O Muhammad SAW they will be triumphant,

As they were on the Day of Badr, cheerful and jubilant.

Contrarily, to the results seen, if your orders are not adhered with respect,

Like we saw in Uhud when some Companions (RA) did show sign of neglect,

You reprimanded them gently and told them this was incorrect.

It was here you lost your Uncle Hamza (RA), who was killed in retaliation,

The dhulm his body went through was harsh, such torture, such mutilation.

As time went by people began to see,

The grandeur of Islam, the brotherhood and unity.

Do they not know the story of Bilal (RA), a black, African slave, but oh, what he became…

A brother of the Arabs, treated equally, one and the same.

Do they not see how the radiant moon, with just a slight gesture,

Split in two, by your blessed index finger.

The stone and trees bear witness unto you,

But the hearts that turned hard, failed to recognise your message, saying this is a talk strange and new.

When lands are conquered; women are oppressed, and men are fought,

But on the conquest of Makkah – no killing was seen, no revenge was sought.

Throughout your moral life, you gave rights to humans, jinns and animals,

You taught respect for the environment and said be considerate to all, even the angels.

At Taif you were pelted, your blessed body was bruised as you bled,

Young children were ordered to throw stones at you, then they quickly fled.

It was the angel’s order that they should be destroyed,

But you said, “Nay! I have been sent as a Mercy – at all costs violence we should avoid!”

Your farewell message was powerful and concise,

To respect and revere the sanctity of every human life,

“Fulfil your children’s right and that of your wife”.

You taught us leadership and to spread companionship,

You showed compassion when a companion of yours would err and slip.

Your successors were Abu Bakr (RA), Umar (RA), Uthman (RA) and Ali (RA),

Who lead the people as you had taught them, firmly and justly, they guided rightly.

Through perfection, you attained such heights,

Through your beauty, you dispelled the night.

They (those who mock) fail to see your beauty,

Even though no sun, no moon, can compare to thee.

I would sacrifice my mother and father to see, just for one moment your noble face!

Free from imperfection, flaws, defects, full of light and grace.

O Muhammad ﷺ! Your beauty is astounding,

My heart yearns to see you, the thought of that moment makes it beat fast and pounding.

I hope to see You on Qiyamah, and drink the holy water from your blessed pool,

I pray I am not deprived, as I know I am unworthy.

Or then at the scales, I will be in need of your intercession,

If I don’t meet you there, I hope to see you at the bridge, before my final destination.

(Last plea) Forgive me, Ya Rasul Ullah! I am very weak,

Because of my sins, I have lost courage and cannot speak,

But from this day, I shall try, till the very moment I die,

To defend your honour and your dignity, I shall stamp on the tongue of all that speak against you and blatantly lie!

~ Written in honour and memory of the Beloved (Sal Allahu Alayhi Wasallam)