My religion now is Love alone

Tread lightly, for a thousand hearts unseen

Might now be breathing in this misty green;

Here are the herbs that once were pretty cheeks,

Here the remains of those that once have been.

Afearing whom I trust I gain my end,

But trusting, without fear, my friend;

Much better is the Doubt that gives me peace,

Than all the Faiths which in hell-fire may end.

Among us some are great and some are small,

Albeit in wickedness, we’re masters all;

Or, if my fellow men are like myself,

The human race shall always rise and fall.

The air of sin I breathe without restraint;

With selfishness my few good deeds I taint;

I come as I was molded and I go,

But near the vacant shrine of Truth I faint.

A church, a temple, or a Kaba Stone,

Koran or Bible or a martyr’s bone —

All these and more my heart can tolerate

Since my religion now is Love alone.

— from the poems of Al-Maarri