Some Who Are Born Muslim
Author neQiniso Abdullah
Some who say that they
were born
Into the Islamic fold
Allow the binding fear
of God
To gradually lose its
hold.
They early learn to
fast and pray
And recite the Holy
Book,
They make the Hajj and
pay Zakat
And swine they will
not cook.
So after this they proudly
say
That they are Muslims
true
And venture forth to
western lands
Where Muslim men are
few.
Their eyes and minds
are then amazed
At everything they see,
And soon their hearts
admire the men
Who cause such things
to be.
But those men seek to
make this world
Their haven of delight,
And therefore they create
their own
Standards of wrong and
right.
So when a Muslim looks
to them
As models for all men,
Unwittingly he begins
to slip
Gradually into sin.
At first, perhaps, he
misses a prayer
Or rushes one on through.
Then, busily pursuing
the western ways,
Perhaps he misses two.
He reads the Book a
little less,
And less he gives the
poor;
The challenge to raise
his standard of life
Now means a little more.
Perhaps he'll even begin
to gamble
Or taste some wine or
beer,
His acts distinguish
him not from those
Who have no Godly fear.
The path he follows
gradually leads
The way the worldly
seek,
And his religion becomes
a task
To practise once a week.
What! Six days he gives
himself,
And God he gives but
one!
But still he claims
to be a Muslim
'Cause he's a Muslim's
son.
He who serves his own
desires
But one place will he
dwell;
God shall seize him
by the neck
And throw him into Hell!
Your father's nor your
mother's faith
Will save you from the
Fire,
If you consider this
world to be
Your innermost desire.
But wait! Wherever you
are, your life
Can surely be turned
around,
And the God you placed
upon your tongue
Can in your heart be
found.
Conversion not only
occurs with those
Who do not know the
way,
It occurs also with
those well-versed
Who gradually go astray.
Forget, therefore, how
you were born;
God judges not your
birth.
By the purity of your
heart at death
Will He determine your
worth.
Those who say that they
were born
Into the Islamic fold,
Like others, they must
submit themselves
As clay for God to mould.
"He encompasses all
things in knowledge."
(At-Talaq : 12)
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