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The Prayer of The Oppressed
The Power of this prayer of Imam Muhammad al-DarÏ lies in its simplicity, its purity, and its sincere supplication. It is essentially a plea to God that our transgressions be overlooked, that divine mercy be bestowed upon us, that social justice be restored in spite of us, that wrongs be righted, and that righteousness reign once again in our lands, so that the destitute may no longer be in need, the young may be educated, the animals’ purpose fulfilled, rain restored, and bounties poured forth. It is a plea to be freed from the aggression of foreigners in lands over which they have no right—a plea much needed in our modern world, rampant as it is with invasions and territorial occupations. Ultimately, it asks not that our enemies be destroyed, but simply that their plots, and the harm they cause, be halted. Its essence is mercy, which in turn is the essence of the Messenger of God, Muhammad(saw): “And We have only sent you as a mercy to all the worlds.”
“Shaykh Hamza Yusuf has rendered a tremendous service to Islam with this translation of a powerful, deeply spiritual supplication, and passed it along to a community of Muslims far removed from its Moroccan roots. He has also augmented it with a riveting Introduction that examines the nature of oppression and its impact on human societies, while challenging us to admit our powerlessness to God.” – Imam Zaid Shakir Author, Co-founder of Zaytuna College
“Hamza Yusuf is in himself and his work, a beautiful, and absolutely necessary, living bridge between the Islamic and American cultures. His eloquence, and his brilliant intelligence, are vital energies, nourishment, we can share.” – Coleman Barks Author, The Essential Rumi
“The prayer of Imam al-DarÏ is a reminder that in all religions and all cultures there are men and women of wisdom and courage who rise to stand with the oppressed against the oppressor. The greatest virtue we possess, as the poet knows, is compassion, not only for the victim but also for the victimizer. It is the contradictory tension of justice and mercy, of law and forgiveness, which makes us complete human beings.” – Chris Hedges Author, War Is a Force That Gives Us Meaning
“Shaykh Hamza Yusuf has rendered a tremendous service to Islam with this translation of a powerful, deeply spiritual supplication, and passed it along to a community of Muslims far removed from its Moroccan roots. He has also augmented it with a riveting Introduction that examines the nature of oppression and its impact on human societies, while challenging us to admit our powerlessness to God.” – Imam Zaid Shakir Author, Co-founder of Zaytuna College
“Hamza Yusuf is in himself and his work, a beautiful, and absolutely necessary, living bridge between the Islamic and American cultures. His eloquence, and his brilliant intelligence, are vital energies, nourishment, we can share.” – Coleman Barks Author, The Essential Rumi
“The prayer of Imam al-DarÏ is a reminder that in all religions and all cultures there are men and women of wisdom and courage who rise to stand with the oppressed against the oppressor. The greatest virtue we possess, as the poet knows, is compassion, not only for the victim but also for the victimizer. It is the contradictory tension of justice and mercy, of law and forgiveness, which makes us complete human beings.” – Chris Hedges Author, War Is a Force That Gives Us Meaning
105 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2010
18 people are currently reading
500 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 14, 2019
This book sparks my understanding and inquiry back to the Prophetic Tradition in responding to the tyrant during the 13 years of Prophet SAW in Mecca, the event of Taif and the hadith when Prophet Muhammad SAW said that the muslims are weak like bubbles on the sea due to love of the world and fear of death.
Shaykh Hamza focuses his beautiful introduction of Imam Muhammad ibn Nasir al-Dar‘i''s prayer on one of Martin Luther King Jr.'s saying on non-violent campaign which is self-purification (other than negotiations, direct action and collection of the facts to determine whether injustice exists).
In the great turbulent of the modern world, holding tight to the Prophetic Tradition is pertinent. Shaykh Hamza also eloquently blends the introduction with the sayings of Raghib al-Isfahani, al-Mutanabbi, John Milton, St. Augustine, Nietszche, Jacques Lacan, Lord Acton and Wilfrid Blunt along with the Prophet SAW as the best exemplar and the stories on how he interacts with the people during the Meccan period like Khalid al-Walid, the age of being boycotted by non-Muslims and the story when he replies good to the person who put thorns on him.
Shaykh Hamza focuses his beautiful introduction of Imam Muhammad ibn Nasir al-Dar‘i''s prayer on one of Martin Luther King Jr.'s saying on non-violent campaign which is self-purification (other than negotiations, direct action and collection of the facts to determine whether injustice exists).
In the great turbulent of the modern world, holding tight to the Prophetic Tradition is pertinent. Shaykh Hamza also eloquently blends the introduction with the sayings of Raghib al-Isfahani, al-Mutanabbi, John Milton, St. Augustine, Nietszche, Jacques Lacan, Lord Acton and Wilfrid Blunt along with the Prophet SAW as the best exemplar and the stories on how he interacts with the people during the Meccan period like Khalid al-Walid, the age of being boycotted by non-Muslims and the story when he replies good to the person who put thorns on him.
July 5, 2014
Mashallah, this man is so smart. The introduction was amazing. The rest was too, it's just that I don't usually have high expectations for introductions.
August 19, 2013
5 stars and this only for the wonderful introduction by Sh Hamza Yusuf
October 10, 2023
Suprisingly profound
Want to read
November 7, 2023Very moving recitation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APrOY...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APrOY...
November 5, 2020
I loved how Sheikh Hamza Yusuf took me out of my comfort zone through introduction. The poem is beautiful, although I only read the arabic and didn’t read the translation it self.
I don’t like the use of big academic words. I don’t know whether sheikh Hamza is writing for a more educated/academic audience or not. I’d stand with Orwell when he speaks about the use of complicated difficult language in his article “why I write”. Any way this is a good read and sheikh Hamza is one of the treasures of the American society and the Muslim world
I don’t like the use of big academic words. I don’t know whether sheikh Hamza is writing for a more educated/academic audience or not. I’d stand with Orwell when he speaks about the use of complicated difficult language in his article “why I write”. Any way this is a good read and sheikh Hamza is one of the treasures of the American society and the Muslim world
August 15, 2011
The translation is wonderful and the Fez Singers recite the poem beautifully
October 31, 2015
Great introduction!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews