Praise and Oneness

Sheikh Xuseen Cali and Fu'aad Barkhad Cumar

Translated by Samme Sheikh

Naftu* waa amaano ma ilaawo mawdkuyee

Qabri lagu adkeeyo iyo awaaraah sugaayee

Marku lagu hamsiiyo lagu aaso ciidana

Malaiktii ilkaa imtixaani doontee

Allow na garadsii qowlkii anbiyada

Ummadyahow u fiirsada amarkii Ilaahay

Cirka biro adkeeyo iyo udba looma yeelinee

Amarkuu ku joogo waa iraadadiisee

Haddu Adami talinkaro, ama leeyihiin amar

Abaajaha Namruud iyo Fircawn baa ablixi lahaa

Aadmi awood male, waana dub dacaayo

Kii itaal ku faanaa, Israel ma daayee

Ninna aayihii iyo ma raacsho ubadkeed

Waxaa lagu ekaadaa edegii xabaasha

Waana aqal madow oo agaar dam weeye

Istighfarka Eebow iyo camalkaaga ileyso

Corpses can't forget Breath's divine trust.

Aware in their tombs, they endure its confines and its dust.

After the gravediggers’ final grunt and the last shovelful of dirt,

The questioning Angels begin their fearsome interrogations!

Oh God grant us–while we have life–understanding of your Prophets’ inspired words.

If you profess faith, then behold God’s Self-Sustaining Word.

The skies above are free from metal fastenings; they are without sturdy columns.

God’s Command alone suffices for the suspension of His Heavens.

If this power belonged to humans, if they were granted even a small share.

The likes of Nimrod and Pharaoh would reign unobstructed over the Earth.

Son of Adam possesses nothing of power.

And he is a pillar in free-fall.

Look at one who boasts of strength.

But leaves Israel without a challenge.

No one’s wealth and progeny follow them to their grave.

So practice, while you can, the good etiquette of the graveyard.

The darkest house you’ll ever know, without a pinprick of light.

So amass your portion of divine illumination–hasten to good works and the pursuit of God’s forgiveness.

*Only a selected portion of this poem has been translated into English. The translation presented here reflects specific excerpts rather than the poem in its entirety.

Samme Sheikh is a translator of Somali oral poetry and prose. His first selection of Somali anti-colonial poetry and songs were published last year in French language journal “Revue Café” with co-translator Oszu Riv.