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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


PEARLS OF THE FAITH: 87. AL-GHANI by EDWIN ARNOLD

Poet Analysis

First Line: MIGHTY IS HE AND FORGIVING
Last Line: TO PRAISE THEE WELL, BUT WORDS ARE WEAK.
Subject(s): GOD; ISLAM;

@3We praise Thee; but no need of praise Thou hast, Al-Ghanî! in thy glory
bright and vast@1.

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.

@3Ah, Self-sufficing One! we seek
To praise Thee well, but words are weak@1.



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