#Culture
There Once was a Lad who Couldn’t Lower His Gaze
There once was a lad who couldn’t lower his gaze,
Distraught and disappointed he tried many ways,
Finally he decided to go to a shaykh well known,
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And ask him advice for his desperation had grown
The shaykh said to him, indeed but you’ve come to ask
About something great, first though I have a task,
I have a friend of mine, on the other side of town,
And I have a daily gift I give him before every sun down
It was a bowl of milk, almost filled to the top,
He said take this here bowl, and don’t spill a drop!
I am sending with you a friend with great vision
To make sure that you make no mistakes in your mission!
The lad began to walk with the bowl in his hands,
Wishing them steady, he dared not break a command,
For every step that he took, his guide watched with pierced eyes
As if waiting for any mistake to arise
When his task was over he return to the sage
And said, the task is done, now show me the way!
He said, ‘you have done well but first let me see,
Did you happen to see the house with the gigantic tree?
The lad said, no, I’m sorry, I was not aware,
Well, you passed my uncle’s street, did you see him there?
The lad said, no I did not see an uncle or tree,
The milk would have spilled if I looked upward you see!
And I was so nervous because your friend did not blink,
So I watched every step, and that’s all I could think!
The Shaykh smiled and said, leave now, for this task
Has answered the question you had wished to ask
The milk that you carried with focus throughout
Was your book of deeds, much more important no doubt,
If you were nervous by one who records your every mistake
Know that there are angels who write, if such allowance you make
Life is a similar journey, but to a different address
So be gone, and focus young lad, I wish you the best!
Keep supporting MuslimMatters for the sake of Allah
Alhamdulillah, we're at over 850 supporters. Help us get to 900 supporters this month. All it takes is a small gift from a reader like you to keep us going, for just $2 / month.
The Prophet (SAW) has taught us the best of deeds are those that done consistently, even if they are small. Click here to support MuslimMatters with a monthly donation of $2 per month. Set it and collect blessings from Allah (swt) for the khayr you're supporting without thinking about it.
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Shahbaz MS
April 2, 2015 at 4:22 AM
Brilliant !!!!!!
Hira Amin
April 2, 2015 at 5:07 AM
Fantastic poem masha Allah…I think you should create a video version! It is so true, when you are focused on your ultimate task, everything else becomes easy.
AHMAD
April 16, 2015 at 7:48 PM
Indeed…the kind of poem that takes you to that solitude and solace….alhamdulillah….insyaallah…..
Hena
April 2, 2015 at 7:10 AM
Just brilliant. JazakAllah khair — excellent reminder for adults and kids too!
AbuMaryam
April 2, 2015 at 1:01 PM
Amazing mashaAllah. I second making this into a video.
curry_king
April 2, 2015 at 3:03 PM
I have to say, this site is pretty cool ! I’m not an American, but the stuff I’ve read here thus far, are great.. keep up the good work folks
With much love from the other side of the world -Sri Lanka :)
Mahdi
April 3, 2015 at 2:19 AM
Might be taking these articles for my own website. Requiring your permission
Aly Balagamwala
April 6, 2015 at 10:24 AM
Dear Sir
Please see http://muslimmatters.org/legal-disclaimer/ for more details on using content from our site.
Comments Team
ummfatima
April 3, 2015 at 11:22 PM
MashaAllah.Love the poem..But I feel like I read this & heard this somewhere.Even when I was a child I heard this story from hindu story books.I may be wrong.Just want to make sure about copyright issues.JazakAllahu Khairaa.
Al-Ghazali
April 5, 2015 at 1:54 AM
Ma Shaa Allah… Its really nice.. May Allah safeguard our deen day in day out Aamiin.
All the way from Nigeria, Assalamu Alaikum.
wb
April 6, 2015 at 6:01 PM
Allah Allah…marvelous once again ya ustaz!
vania
April 12, 2015 at 1:01 AM
brilliant :) MashaAllah
Ahmed
April 17, 2015 at 8:33 AM
BarakAllahu feek brother. This is what I go through at times as well. Being 28 and single in NYC has its disadvantages but all Hamd and Shukr be to Allah SWT for everything. This was a great reminder for me and many others insha’Allah. Keep focused on your mission. To please Allah SWT and earn His Paradise. May Allah reward all of us who try and accept our istighfar and replace our errors with good deeds. Ameen. Assalamualikum
Rafia Riaz
April 19, 2015 at 4:51 AM
Subhan Allah! A beautiful poem with a beautiful msg. Love it brother.
M.Mahmud
April 21, 2015 at 1:00 PM
I laughed…funny sweet and moral poem
Ali
July 8, 2016 at 11:11 AM
Wah wah Wah ! SubhanAllah. Beautiful, simple and truly inspiring !!!