“Before, Then, and Now”

Farooq and Saimah Yousuf

Before there was no purpose or direction in life,
Sleepless nights, tired days, headaches were rife.

Before there were no aims, hopes and dreams,
My mind felt as if it were ripping at the seams.

Before there was confusion and loss of hope,
Day and night, I found it hard to cope.

Before there was anxiety and pain,
I had the sense that I had nothing more to gain.

Before there was no guidance which I could turn to,
I look back now at how little I knew.

Before there was no point in caring or trying,
Every time the truth would hurt me, I would resort to lying.

Then I saw a dark end ahead,
I knew exactly where this path led.

Then I woke up out of my eternal slumber,
Never to go back again to that life of blunder.

Then I realized that I needed to take control of myself,
And one day I picked up a book off of my dusty shelf.

Then after reading and flipping through the pages,
I found out my life is proceeding in stages.

Now through this book I found my life’s goal,
I had now become whole.

Now I feel liberated and free,
Breaking the shackles of society.

Now I know that none can hold me back,
Because I know of nothing that I lack.

Now I know this life is not the final destination,
I hope to be united with the rest of the submitting nation.

Now, daily I strive to obey the Creator,
For surely it will pay off sooner or later.

Now I work hard to attain the highest level in the Garden,
Hoping and yearning for God’s Pardon.