Be Like Ahmad: A Poem for the Beloved of God ﷺ by Ustaz Hamza Yusuf

The Sun solemnly stated, “How can my light compare to his.”
And the Moon laughed, “Be like me! Content to reveal another’s light.”
The North Star declared, “What guidance can I provide next to his?”
And all the stars exclaimed, “Be like us! Who revolve around you and show no envy.”

The sea shouted, “What secrets can I contain when compared to his wonders?”
The clouds pleaded, “Be like us! Exalted in the sky because we humbly draw our water from another and pour forth in gratitude and service.”

The rose ruefully remarked, “What beauty do I have next to his?”
The mirror said, “Be like me! Who can only reflect another’s beauty.”
Reason exclaimed, “What wisdom can I reveal next to his revelation?”
The tongue replied, “Be still, and let me quote him.”

Gold complained, “What worth do I have next to his?”
Copper cried, “What ingratitude! Your purity was his from the start, be happy to be compared to him.”

The dog barked, “He mentioned me.”
The cat meowed, “He petted me.”
The donkey brayed, “He rode on me.”
The horse neighed, “He called me an ocean.”
The camel grunted, “I took him to safety.”
The frog croaked, “I was his favourite.”
The spider stood tall on eight legs, and stately stated, “I protected him once.”

The cloud boasted, “I shaded him.”
The tree declared, “He called me, and I bowed to him.”
The palm trunk said, “Well, he hugged me.”
The date gloated, “I was sweet for him.”
Milk exalted, “I nourished him.”
Water croaked, “I quenched his thirst.”

The Ka’aba shouted, “He circled me.”
The Yemeni corner replied, “He touched me.”
The black stone laughed and said, “He kissed me.”
The pebbles yelled, “We praised God in his palm.”
The mountains of Mekah called out, “He loved us!”
Madina demurely whispered, “He chose me.”

And humanity cried, “Nafsi! Nafsi! Me! Me!”

And God said, “Be like Ahmad.”
And Ahmad said, “Ummati! Ummati! My community! My community!”
And God replied, “We will grant you until you are content.”