Oh Allaah, make easy my path to paradise

A Poem by Firdaus Fathima (Umm Hashir)

Oh Allaah, make easy my path to paradise!

The path I have chosen is the one in which Your pleasure lies, Treading it, You have said, one will find easy a path to Paradise! With the acquisition of knowledge and awareness of Your commands Truly one becomes more responsible to run the errands

Strengthen my Eemaan¹ Oh Allaah! Purify my intentions, As you monitor my actions, do help me in the implementations I need Your guidance at each step to fulfill this obligation To acquire the ilm² sincerely, to avoid any violation

Help me to walk upon this path in the way You have ordained Help me to follow the footsteps of the Teacher (SAWS)³ whom You trained! Help me to seek knowledge therein purely to please You Help me to shun the acts which even slightly displease You

Give me the strength required to fight the nafs⁴ Make my lifestyle as simple as was salaf's⁵ Erase my wants completely, reduce my needs Remind me when I rejoice while the ummah⁶ bleeds!

The purpose of this journey to seek knowledge, to spread the truth, I wish would never become the one leading to a sour fruit! Help me to keep away from praises, from fame May every action I do, be only in Your name.

Oh Allaah, save me from the most dangerous sin - the minor shirk⁷, To enter the heart any moment which all around does lurk The shirk which has been described as a "creeping black ant during a dark night" The shirk called "Ar Riya"⁸ which is so abominable in your sight!

Guide my steps to learn more and more till I reach the end Fill my heart with humility and modesty with every bow and bend Keep me free from satanic misguidance, to which a human is prone Guide me towards deeds which would be a continuing charity after I am gone

Make this knowledge beneficial in the grave for me, To face the interrogation of the angels sent by Thee.. When I shall raise again by your command, brighten up my face Forgive any shortcomings Oh Allaah, through Your Mercy and Grace!

(Ameen)

-------------

Notes: 1. Faith 2. Knowledge 2. Please be upon him (PBUH) 4. Desire 5. Means predecessor, can be referred as Muhammad (PBUH)'s companions 6. Community 7. Worship of anyone or anything other than the singular God 8. Show off