and the young at heart BOOK FIVE by Khadijah Stephens The Mosque of the Internet www.muhammad.com BISMILLAH IR RAHMAN IR RAHIM BOOK FIVE POEMS IN MY BOOK Goodnight Little Darling Midnight Prayer Childhood Many Years Ago Lord of All the Worlds Skin As So You Thought Good Night Little Darling Goodnight little darling, sleep tight, may angels protect you this night. Sweet dreams little darling, until the new day then wake fresh in the morning, ready to pray. The Midnight Prayer Last night I couldn't go to sleep so I got up and said a prayer, because I know it’s a good thing to do and angels are always there. And I know for this prayer lies a very great reward in Paradise where treasures especially for me are stored! CHILDHOOD Far away where the grass was green and lush where hedgerows were home to a speckled thrush, where a tiny wren I mistook for a mouse gathered twigs to build its frail little house. Where the buttercup nodded it's bright yellow head as a ladybird rested on its petals with wings spotted and red. Where the only sound was the whisper of the wind in the trees, the gentle cooing of doves and the hum of bees, where the sky was blue with puffs of white as the sun warmed gently with its delicate light. Where I ran through the meadow without a care under the protection of Allah who was always there, those are the happy days of childhood I recall when I was young with no cares at all. In England where I grew up, a ladybug is called a ladybird, I think it is prettier name don't you? By the way, a wren is a very, very small brown bird about the size of a mouse. Many Years Ago Many years ago when I was young like you there were so very many things that I liked to do. I would ride my bike down the country lanes over hills and valleys then back again and paddle in a crystal stream catch fish with my net and dream that one day I would catch a fish so fine and bring it home so we might dine. But, in those days I didn't know how to pray and never thanked Allah for those lovely days. I did not know there was more to life than this and never knew what I had missed. But as I grew Allah guided me and my heart is much happier now for now I stand in worship to praise Him and bow with those who bow. Insha Allah LORD OF ALL THE WORLDS "Praise be to Allah, Lord of all the worlds" are words we repeat five times a day but have you ever stopped to think what those words really say? They are words in praise of Allah who creates different forms of life for it is an easy thing for Him to do without tiredness or strife. He created not just our human world but worlds both great and small of animals, insect and fish, of flowers and so much more. Each has its own kingdom which is special to its kind and all praise our Creator because their hearts aren’t blind. Trees are obedient to Him and bow to Him in the wind Whilst rocks fall down from mountain slopes in remembrance and fear of Him. Even though we cannot hear them stones sing out His praise - remember how they greeted our beloved Prophet* as he journeyed on his way. None of these worlds forget Him and praise Him in their special way So let us remember that it is He who created us all when we stand together and pray. *praise and peace be upon him SKIN Have you ever thought about your skin how it keeps the outside out and your inside in? And have you noticed when you cut your knee how your skin recovers rapidly. Skin covers us from head to toe and grows with us as we grow. When we laugh we've seen it change shape and turn quite pale when we stay up late. Now stop for a while in amazement and linger and look at the skin upon your fingers, those prints belong to you and no other not even your sister or even your brother. Each finger print is different, no one on earth has the same Allah has made them specially for you so why not stretch your brain and start to recognize His miracles that are with us every day then remember to thank Him for them every time you pray. SO YOU THOUGHT So you thought you'd got away with it because you're pretty smart but don't forget there's someone else who knows exactly what's in your heart, you may be able to fool others by telling half to suit your cause but in case it slipped your mind we're all subject to Allah's laws. Deeds are judged by intention from that there's no escape and remember angels watch over you and in readiness await to see if you will mend your ways and right what you did wrong even if it means your face turns red it won't last for very long. Admitting you were the one at fault and facing the consequence I am sure you will agree with me it makes a lot of sense! You'll feel so much better about yourself and soon have a good feeling inside because you were upright and faced the truth and pushed away your pride! AS As the sun slips away at the end of the day, as stars twinkle on high in the dark night sky, as the moon peeks through clouds laced with light and peace descends as we sleep in the still of the night, angels delight in praising their Lord, while the pious recite the Koran, His unchanging Word, we are cradled in comfort till the dawn heralds a new day when we rise from our beds in readiness to pray, as angels watch and carry our prayers through heavenly skies to place them before the Throne of Allah, the Most High. SPRING Bluebells and daffodils, Violets and primroses, Sparrows building their nests In bushes and hedgerows, The babble of water As it flows swiftly down stream Nurturing its banks With their new coats of green, A water vole With its eyes large and bright Burrows away in the bank Out of predator’s sight. Whilst a perky squirrel Not far away Forages through autumn’s dead leaves Where his treasures lay, The earth is awakened From its winter-time sleep As angels fulfill their duty – A promise to keep, And so it is that Allah Restores all things After death a new life He undoubtedly brings. THE END We hope you have enjoyed these poems, Insh'Allah I will write some more Islamic poems for you soon. This book is copyrighted 2004 by Khadijah Stephens and Allah.com and Muhammad.com www.muhammad.com All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and/or retrieval system without permission in writing from both Khadijah Stephens and the Mosque of the Internet.