The Haa'iyyah Poem of Ibn Abee Daawood (d.316)

(1) Hold tightly to the rope of Allaah and the guidance,
And do not be an innovator, so that you might be successful.

(2) And practice your religion based on the Book of Allaah and the Sunan which
have come from the Messenger of Allaah so you will be saved and earn reward.


(3) And say: Not a created thing is the Speech of our great King,
Such was the religious position of the pious ones (before us) who spoke well.


(4) And do not be a person who takes no position on the Quran,
As did the followers of Jahm, and they had been too lax (to take the right position).

(5) And do not say that the Quran is created, meaning: its recitation,
Since the Speech of Allaah, through its recitation, is made clear.


(6) And say: Allaah will make himself visible to all the creation, openly,
Just as the full moon is not hard to see, and your Lord (will be seen) more clearly.

(7) And He was not born, nor has He fathered anyone,
Nor is there anything similar to Him, exalted be the Glorified One.


(8) A Jahmee rejects this, however, we have
As a testimony to the truth of what we say - a hadeeth that clarifies it.


(9) Jareer narrated it, from the words of Muhammad,
So say what he said about that, and you will be successful.


(10) And perhaps a Jahmee might deny His Right Hand as well,
While both of His Hands are giving out all kinds of bounties.


(11) And say: The Ever-Compelling descends each night,
Without asking for exact details, magnificent is the One God and most worthy of praise.


(12) Down to the lowest heaven, granting bounties from His Grace,
As the gates of the heavens are opened and spread widely.

(13) He says: Is there anyone seeking forgiveness who would like to meet a Forgiver?
Or anyone seeking bounties of goodness and provisions, so he could be given (what he requests)?


(14) A group have reported this whose reports are not to be rejected,
But sadly some have went wrong and did not believe them, marring themselves.



(15) And say: Indeed the best of the people after Muhammad
Were his two deputies of old, and then 'Uthmaan, according to the most correct position.


(16) And the fourth of them was the best of creation after them,
'Alee, the companion of goodness, through goodness he was successful.


(17) Those are the people, those who we have no doubt about,
Upon the great camels of Firdows, shining brightly and roaming about.


(18) Sa'eed, Sa'd, Ibn 'Awf, Talhah,
'Aamir of Fihr, and Zubayr the praiseworthy.

(19) And speak with the best terms about the Companions, all of them,
And do not be one who speaks ill of them, pointing out their faults and criticizing,


(20) Since the clear Revelation has spoke of their excellence,
And in (Soorah) al-Fat-h are verses about the Companions, praising them.

(21) And regarding the pre-ordained Qadr, be convinced, since it is
The pillar that combines many affairs of the Religion, and the Religion encompasses much.


(22) And do not reject, out of ignorance, (belief in) Nakeer and Munkar,
Or the Pool or the Scales, surely you are being advised sincerely.


(23) And say: Allaah, the Great, will remove, from of His Grace,
Out of the Fire, people, burned severely, who will then be tossed

(24) Into the river in Firdows, wherein they will regain life by its water,
Like a seed taken by a flood that comes and wipes things away with its abundant water.


(25) And surely, the Messenger of Allaah will intercede,
And speak about the punishment of the grave, that it is the truth, made clear.


(26) And do not make takfeer of those who pray, even if they commit sins,
Since all of them commits sins, while the Owner of the Throne forgives graciously.


(27) And do not hold a belief like that of the Khawaarij, for it is
A position held by only those who desire it, and it is destructive and disgraceful.

(28) And do not be a Murji', one who plays games with his religion,
Surely, the Murji' is joking about the religion (ie. not taking it seriously).


(29) And say: Eemaan (faith) consists of statements, intentions,
And Actions, according to the explicit statement of the Prophet.


(30) And it decreases sometimes, due to disobedience, and sometimes
Because of obedience it grows, and on the Scale it will outweigh (other things).


(31) And keep yourself from the opinions of people and their stances,
Since the stance of the Messenger of Allaah is more befitting and easier on one's chest.


(32) And do not be from those who play games with their religion,
Attacking the people of hadeeth and reviling them.

(33) If you keep this belief all your life, O holder of this (poem),
You will be upon goodness, day and night.