Distressing, disturbing and disgraceful are three words that come to mind every time I check up on the petition to prevent our Muslim brother, Babar Ahmad, from being extradited to the US; only around 7% of the people required bothered to sign the petition. The sight of that weak number resonated in my mind the words of Niyi Osundare, ‘what business of mine is it’. This famous line of his is from a poem read by almost all high school students in their English Anthology – a poem I read years ago, discussed in my exam answer booklet, and hoped to forever forget until now… A poem I didn’t care much for, now has such deep meaning, and due to the blessing of Allaah this poem that I had forgotten just took over my mind.
I begin with the Name of Allaah, the most Merciful, the One Who Bestows Mercy
Turning All Eyes Blind [Poem]
`O Muslim! Wake Up from Your Slumber!
They picked ‘Abdullaah up after dawn
Shackled him like a feral being
And dragged him into the dark pit
Of an enclosed, foul cell.
For sure it’s no business of mine
So long as they don’t tread on my Mus-haf
Nor invade the honour of my mother, my sister… my life.
They came after nightfall
Shouted and swore until the whole house woke
And dragged Yoosuf out
Leaving his home shattered, and his father with a stroke.
For sure it’s no business of mine
So long as they don’t tread on my prayer mat
Nor invade the honour of my mother, my sister… my life.
Khadeejah took her kids out one day
Only to find her day made short
No trace, no record, no hope
Caged and tortured for a stainless record.
For sure it’s no business of mine
So long as they don’t tread on my body
Nor invade the honour of my mother, my sister… my life.
And then one day in the darkness of night
As I lay down to rest my sleepy head
A loud thud on the door froze my droopy eyes.
They ransacked my home room to room
Broke and looted in their usual defiance.
As I was dragged out in shackles
Muhammed turned a blind eye.
For sure it’s no business of his
So long as they don’t break into his home
Rape his mother, his sister, his wife with their eyes…
[Poem Inspired by Niyi Osundare’s ‘Not My Business’]
In Pursuit of Allaah's Pleasure 