Classic and Contemporary Poetry
PEARLS OF THE FAITH: 8. MUHAIMIN, by EDWIN ARNOLD Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: The spider and the dove! - what thing is weak Last Line: Us, for his sake within that cave. Subject(s): God; Islam | ||||||||
Call Him Muhaimin, "Help in danger's hour," Protector of the true who trust His power. The spider and the dove!what thing is weak If Allah makes it strong? The spider and the dove!if He protect, Fear thou not foemen's wrong. From Mecca to Medina fled our Lord, The horsemen followed fast; Into a cave to shun their murderous rage, Muhammad, weary, passed. Quoth Abu Bekr, "If they see, we die!" Quoth Ebn Foheir, "Away!" The guide Abdallah said, "The sand is deep, Those footmarks will betray." Then spake our Lord, "We are not four, but Five; 'He Who protects' is here. Come! Al-Muhaimin now will blind their eyes; Enter, and have no fear." The band drew nigh; one of the Koreish cried, "Search ye out yonder cleft, I see the print of sandaled feet which turn Thither, upon the left!" But when they drew unto the cavern's mouth, Lo! at its entering-in, A ring-necked desert dove sate on her eggs; The mate cooed soft within. And right athwart the shadow of the cave A spider's web was spread; The creature hung upon her net at watch; Unbroken was each thread. "By Thammuz' blood," the unbelievers cried, "Our toil and time are lost; Where doves hatch and the spider spins her snare No foot of man hath crossed!" Thus did a desert bird and spider guard The blessèd Prophet then; For all things serve their Maker and their God Better than thankless men. Allah-al-Muhaimin! shield and save Us, for his sake within that cave. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE CRESCENT AND THE CROSS by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH PEARLS OF THE FAITH: 1. ALLAH by EDWIN ARNOLD PEARLS OF THE FAITH: 10. AL-JABBAR by EDWIN ARNOLD PEARLS OF THE FAITH: 11. AL-MUTAKABBIR by EDWIN ARNOLD PEARLS OF THE FAITH: 12. THE CREATOR by EDWIN ARNOLD PEARLS OF THE FAITH: 13. AL-BARI by EDWIN ARNOLD PEARLS OF THE FAITH: 14. AL-MUZAWWIR by EDWIN ARNOLD PEARLS OF THE FAITH: 15. AL-GHAFFAR by EDWIN ARNOLD |
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