Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, PEARLS OF THE FAITH: 80, 81. GHAFOOR, MUNTAKIM, by EDWIN ARNOLD


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

PEARLS OF THE FAITH: 80, 81. GHAFOOR, MUNTAKIM, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Oh, men, of dry clay molded, as the potter molds the jars
Last Line: Al-ghafoor and al-muntakim.
Subject(s): God; Islam


"Forgiver!" and "Avenger!" worship Him
By these two names, Ghafoor and Muntakim.

Oh, Men, of dry clay molded,' as the potter molds the jars;
Oh, Djins, that We have fashioned from the smokeless fire of stars:
What terror of the Lord will ye abide?

He is Lord of cast and west, He is Lord of south and north;
And the seas obey the limits which He set them, pouring forth:
What terror of the Lord will ye abide?

Their white pearls, large and small, are the handiwork of Him;
And the ships, with towering sails, by His winds and waters swim:
Which terror of your Lord will ye abide?

But the earth and all her creatures shall die and be decayed;
Only the face of Allah will never change nor fade:
Which terror of your Lord will ye abide?

The face of Allah ruling in glorious array;
For all things look unto Him, and He governs day by day:
Which terror of your Lord will ye abide?

Yet will He find good leisure, ye twain! ye Djins and Men,
To judge you at the judgment, oh, Clay and Flame! what then?
Which terror of your Lord will ye abide?

If ye can pass His gateways, east, west, and south and north—
Which shut in earth and heaven—hasten ye! pass ye forth: Which
terror of your Lord will ye abide?

But Life and Death inclose ye; by no way shall ye pass;
A fence of flame shall stay ye, and a moat of molten brass:
Which terror of your Lord will ye abide?

And when the sky is rended, red like a new-ripped hide,
There shall be no accusing, admitted or denied:
Which terror of your Lord will ye abide?

No yea nor nay! no questions! the sinner's brand is sin;
Thereby shall he be known, and flung Hell's blazing walls within:
Which terror of your Lord will ye abide?

Flung by the forelock and the feet: "'This Hell existed not,'
Ye said. Now broil! and when ye thirst, drink sulphur scalding hot:"
Which terror of your Lord will ye abide?

But sweet for him who was faithful, and feared the face of his God,
Are the Gardens of joy preparing, and the gates of the Golden Abode:
Which bounty of his Lord will he deny?

With leafy branching fruit-trees are set those Gardens twain,
And softly the streamlets warble, and brightly the fountains rain:
Which bounty of his Lord will he deny?

And the fruit of the Golden Gardens swings delicate, near to reach,
Where they rest on their 'broidered couches, hearing delightful speech:
Which bounty of his Lord will they deny?

Therein are the shy-faced maidens, refraining their night-black eyes
From any save that glad lover whose joy is their Paradise:
Which bounty of his Lord will they deny?

From any but that glad lover, that happy lord for whom
Their mouths of pearl rain kisses, their lips of ruby bloom.
Which bounty of his Lord will they deny?

Shall the wages of righteous-doing be less than the promise given?
Nay! but by God, the Glorious, the debt shall be paid in heaven!
What bounty of his Lord will they deny?

Oh, man! fear Him, magnify him;
Al-Ghafoor and Al-Muntakim.





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