Mugtoe
Cuddly Puppy
Registered: Oct 2001
Location:
Posts: 18139 |
MAHMOUD, THE MERCIFUL
Mahmoud Mohammed al Rashid
Was known of all that desert breed
As one who kept The Prophets Laws
And gave his weaker brethren cause,
To bless his name in daily prayer.
For Rashid was just and nerciful and fair.
Now after one Ramadan feast,
A half hours ride into the east,
To Abdul Attar's friendly tent,
Road this Mohammed, well content.
The fast was over---Law was kept.
He would laugh with Attar ere he slept.
His mare was sleek, well groomed and fed,
And of his saddle many said
The silver was by Angels done.
He had bought it for his only son.
His son who then was twenty three
and had worked at the camp of the nazrani.
Twice cursed infidel, nazrani,
Who came by land and came by sea,
Who came by hundreds to this land
And dug for oil beneath the sand.
They who corrupt all they touch
And teach desert sons to want too much.
Mahmoud son, had ten years gone by
Since that night Mahmoud began to die?
When he was told his son was dead,
Hit by a truck, the lawyer said.
He had thrown their money in the mud.
Did they think they could buy al Rashid blood?
Ten years had dimmed that memory,
He had to live with what must be.
Now as he road to Abdul's tent
He thought of the gift that he had sent
The week before to Abdul's son,
By night so as not to break the Ramadan.
Then as Mahmoud looked at a star,
As guide to the tent of Attar,
He sensed before he saw the man,
Lying there still upon the sand.
Full two days there , Rashid could see.
Alive now, this nazrani, but not long to be.
How quick "the sands"--Rub al Khali,
Five days perhaps --or only three?
Days of burning, searing sun,
Hot winds, chill nights, their work was done,
This man would die, unless Mahmoud,
Should give him water, warmth and food.
Still sat Rashid upon the mare,
Returning the near-lifeless stare.
What was his duty? What the Law"
IN this harsh land of tooth and claw
The al Koran ruled every life,
And Mahmoud was called "the Prophet's Knife".
The man had not eaten salt or bread,
Nor had he ever laid his head
In Rashid tent as honoured guest.
No rabia where powers vest
To frank a foe through tribal lands
Came forth to Rashid with just demands.
Kinsman, or slave, child under ten.
Journey partner or friend-of -friend---
He was none of these Mahmoud saw,
That were protected by the Law
Or custom of the bedu breed.
He could claim no mercy then of al Rashid!
But---The Prophet wrote with sacred pen.
Of Allah's mercy to all men.
Now Rashid saw what he must do.
At his saddle hung full goatskins two,
Filled at the well of bir Han.,
He slashed with his knife and a bag hit the sand.
Now infidel drink! If you can
Find your way hear over the sand.
If Allah guides you thirty feet
Before the sun brings killing heat,
And if you drink, then bless the seed
Of Sheikh Mahmoud Mohammed al Rashid.
He turned the mare--glanced at the star
That would guide to the tent of Attar.
The night was still---it had no flaw
For he had rightly kept The Law.
He looked back where the goatskin fell,
Ba Rashud ! Mahmoud, you have done right well.
Mahmoud Mohammed al Rashid
Was known of all that desert breed
As one who kept the Prophet's Laws,
And gave his weaker brethren cause
To bless his name in daily prayer,
For Rashid was just and merciful and fair.
© Charles Turrentine 2000
Report this post to a moderator |
IP: Logged
|
![[new thread]](/images/vb/button_newthread_off.png "Post New Thread")
![[post reply]](/images/vb/button_newreply_off.png "Post A Reply")
05-04-2002 06:04 AM
It sounds very strange when it's translated but it's a pun in Swedish)