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Ash-Shâkir
“Grateful”—Ash-Shâkir—is He; praise Him so
Who thanketh men for that He did bestow.
So much hast thou of thy hoard
As thou gavest to thy Lord;
Only this will bring thee in
Usance rich and free from sin:
Send thy silver on before,
Lending to His sick and poor.
Every dirhem dropped in alms
Touches Allah's open palms,
Ere it fall into the hands
Of thy brother. Allah stands
Begging of thee, when thy brother
Asketh help. Ah! if another
Proffered thee, for meat and drink,
Food upon Al-Kâuthar's brink,
—“Al-Kâuthar.”
This word signifies abundance
especially of good, and thence the gift of wisdom and
prophecy. Or it may mean abundance of wealth, followers, and
the like. It is here used of a river in Paradise, whence the
water is derived into Muhammad's pond, of which the blessed
are to drink before their admission. According to a tradition
of the Prophet, this river, wherein his Lord promised him abundant
good, is sweeter than honey, whiter than milk, cooler than
snow, and smoother than cream; its banks are of chrysolites,
and those who drink of it shall never thirst.
Shining Kâuthar which doth flow
Sweet as honey, cool as snow,
White as milk, and smooth as cream,
Underneath its banks, which gleam—
Green and golden chrysolite,
In the Gardens of delight,
Whence who drinks never again
Tasteth sorrow, age, or pain—
Who would not make merchandise,
Buying bliss in Paradise,
Laying up his treasure where
Stores are safe and profits clear?
But ye lend at lower cost,
Whilst Ash-Shâkir offers most,
Good returning seven times seven,
Paying gifts of earth with Heaven.
Allah, Who dost reward so well,
What maketh man in sin to dwell?
