When the World Remains Silent

When the world remains silent

While hearts break from ill fate

commit crimes for God's sake

And our hearts do not shake

But an ounce for their pain

As our eyes have been trained

Strained from realities we pray

We don't encounter someday

And we pray empty prayers for those lives filled with sorrow

An arrogance unknowing of what'll come tomorrow

We row on and row on expecting smooth sails as we go

Feeling pity for those having fallen off the boat

Then only can we expect a world drowning in its shame

When the world remains silent

At the expense of those unable to speak

Weak and defeated they plead

To fill mouths left to feed

We grow food in abundance to save our own souls

Yet we're starving ourselves of a mercy foretold

Indeed we know nothing, and Allah only knows

Each test in this life and for whom he chose

When the world remains silent

Violent echoes will remain

Until a day

When our souls are placed before the All-knowing

And our silence is broken

And our tongue speaks on our behalf

Bearing witness to all that was contained in our souls

The Prophet (SAW) said: "If one of you sees something wrong, let him change it with his hand; if he cannot, then with his tongue; if he cannot, then with his heart and this is the weakest faith. [Some versions add:] There is no part of faith behind that, not even so much as a mustard seed." --- Al-Bukhari