From the outside
You don’t me
But I know you
I heard your name over 10 years ago
Now after all these years
I hear your name again
On the TV and the newspapers
Slandered and judged
Found guilty
And prepared for extradition
The occasion for me isn’t happy
But full of sorrow
Sadness and shame
Self reflection and contemplation
They took you from your bed
Beat you and humiliated you
All the time you were innocent
According to their laws
Whose flaws are now obvious
They saw you as a threat
A soldier in the Islamic revival
I also do dawah
Speak to people
Distribute leaflets
And do as much as I can
I’m still free
While your inside
The belly of the beast
While I’m outside
Free
Looking in
But for how long
I wonder?
If I do it right
And speak the haqq
Then my turn to join you will come
If I compromise out of fear
Then I will still be free
Fate is strange
Before I went to study
In your city
Carefree and seeking fun and enjoyment
Ended up guided to the truth
We never met
But we must have been at the same talks
Walked the same streets
and prayed in the same masjids.
Now you’re in my city
What a pity
I never wrote to you
Or visited you
In your hour of need
I made niyyah to
But never got around to completing the action
Too busy with life
Maybe it was meant to be
That we would meet
when you’re no longer free
When we have each others attention
Away from distractions
Sometimes solitude can be a blessing
Much has been accomplished
From inside a cage
Books, tafseers, articles and poems
So my dear brother
Do not lose hope
I know you can cope
You’re in our duas
Have no fear
Keep on using the knowledge
Allah blessed you with
And find comfort in the fact
Allah loves you
And your companions
Do not your dreams bear testimony?
Does not your mail box fill up?
Do not your articles go places you never dreamt they would?
Have you not inspired a generation of Islamic activists?
So what more can I say
except
Allah is the most kind and compassionate
Keep on living, smiling, writing and inspiring
Don’t give up or lose hope
Allah has a destiny for you
One day you will understand
Hindsight is a wonderful thing.
Ameen
Your brother in Islam
Showkat Ali