Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, PEARLS OF THE FAITH: 87. AL-GHANI, by EDWIN ARNOLD


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

PEARLS OF THE FAITH: 87. AL-GHANI, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Mighty is he and forgiving
Last Line: To praise thee well, but words are weak.
Subject(s): God; Islam


We praise Thee; but no need of praise Thou hast, Al-Ghanî! in thy glory
bright and vast.

Mighty is He and forgiving.
One soul did He first create,
Then He made therefrom a mate:
And to help man in his living,
Gave him herds, each with the other,
Camels, oxen, goats, and sheep
Think how Allah wakes from sleep
The babe, close-folded in its mother!
In three darknesses He shrouds it;
Wonder upon wonder clouds it.
He is Maker: can ye see
All these tokens and still be
Thankless? Yet, if so ye are,
Not beholden to your care
Is Al-Ghanî: self-sufficing
Lives high Allah, recognizing
Gladly all His creatures' love
In a changeless peace above.
Judge ye each for each; with God
No man bears another's load.
Unto Him is your return,
Then shall every spirit learn
What it wrought, and what is due;
For He knows the hearts of you.

Ah, Self-sufficing One! we seek
To praise Thee well, but words are weak.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net