Given to me by a dear brother

Al-I’tiraf is a poem of supplication uttered by a slave of Allah  by the name of Abu Nawaz. Outwardly, he was a naive jester whose antics drew much laughter from gathered crowds. Inwardly though, he was a sincere and God-fearing believer who was ever-mindful of his tryst with destiny. It was this side of him that penned Al-I’tiraf in the following circumstances:

Once, he was sitting by himself watching the sun set. The atmosphere was quiet and peaceful. The serene blue sky was rent asunder by the dazzling colours spewed by the waltzing rays of the setting sun. As the tremendous beauty of nature’s dance made way for the still darkness of the impending night, tears began rolling down his cheeks.

He felt his heart being pulled apart and his senses becoming spiritually impaired. He became so distressed and filled with sorrow that he started wailing. With a flurry of emotions running wild, coupled with an unintelligible mix of cries and sighs, all knots on his tongue were untied. He raised his hands towards the Heavens and lamented about his state of being. Those powerful words came to be known as Al-I’tiraf

This grief-stricken lament was uttered by a hopeful and fearful heart that was remorseful for a lifetime of heedlessness. Abu Nawaz realized that he was getting older and that his time to meet his Creator was drawing nearer. He was completely terrified about his lack of preparation for this Meeting with his Lord in the Hereafter.

He acknowledges his sinfulness, for which he admits that he does not deserve the Gardens of Paradise. He then recognizes his weakness to withstand the frightening Hellfire. He concedes that he is but a feeble servant who has no power over his looming fate, except through Allah ’s Mercy brought about by entering the gates of repentance and attaining His forgiveness.

Behold! In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of night and day,- there are indeed Signs for men of understanding, – men who celebrate the praises of Allah , standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides, and contemplate the (wonders of) creation in the heavens and the earth, (with the thought): “Our Lord! not for naught hast Thou created (all) this! Glory to Thee! Give us salvation from the chastisement of the Fire. (3:190-191)

After the above verse was revealed, the Messenger of Allah  got up in the middle of the night to pray. When Bilal ibn Rabah came to seek permission to call for the dawn prayers, he saw the Messenger of Allah  crying with his beard soaked with tears.

So he asked, “Do you still cry, O Messenger of Allah , when Allah  has wiped away all your past and future wrongdoings?” The Messenger of Allah  replied, “Should I then not be a thankful slave! Allah has descended on me this verse (3:191). Woe to him who reads it without pondering over it.”

Seldom do we reflect on the Signs of Allah . In the setting sun, Abu Nawaz found a metaphor of life. The beauty that adorns the horizon when the sun is setting is an intoxicating one. If one loses oneself to that fleeting moment forgetting to light the lamp, he will be ill-prepared for the imminent darkness of the night.

Similarly, if one gets deluded and hypnotized by the enticements and frivolous pleasures of this ephemeral world, then damned will be that wretched soul in the Hereafter. How ludicrous for one on a journey to Eternity to find satisfaction and comfort at a transit point called Earth?

Success and guidance is from Allah  alone, eminent is His Glory. Choicest salutations, immaculate peace, and infinite blessings be upon the Paragon of creation, his blessed family, noble companions, intimate inheritors, and all who have an atom of love for him in their hearts. Glory be to Allah , Lord of the Worlds.

To read the rest of this beautiful work and the couplet composed by our liege-lord, Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (ra), you can download the pdf here