The Mirage of Desire

I chased my desire down roads far and wide,

Each hunger a shadow that never would hide.

I bartered my soul for the world’s fleeting flame,

And lost who I was in the weight of its name.

“My nafs,” it whispered, “there’s never enough,”

My eyes sought the riches, my heart bore the rough.

I gathered the world yet found only pain,

The more I possessed, the less did remain.

Gold filled my hands, but my spirit grew weak,

Praise on my tongue, while my doubts still would speak.

I wandered for wealth till I lost my own way,

My nafs made a mirage of all I could gain.

One night I awoke with a thousand new cries,

The crown I had chased was a mask in disguise.

I thought I had conquered the world in my hand,

Yet lost my own soul to its hollow command.

Now I have learned: wealth itself is no throne,

Faith is the jewel that makes a heart known.

If nafs is your master, desire your chain,

What good is a crown when your soul is in pain?

The world turns to dust, its treasures decay,

But faith lights the path that will never betray.

I will not surrender my soul to desire,

My truth is my crown, my faith is my fire.

Xursanaliyeva Sanobar, Uzbekistan