Relaxing Music | A poem by Abu Nawas - Al-I'tiraf (Acknowledgement)

Al-I’tirāf is a poem of supplication attributed to Abu Nuwās. Outwardly, he was a jester and poet whose antics and words drew much laughter from gathered crowds. Inwardly though, he was a sincere and God-fearing believer who was ever-mindful of his tryst with destiny. It was this side of him that penned Al-I’tirāf in the following circumstances.

Once, he was sitting by himself watching the sun set. The atmosphere was quiet and peaceful. The serene blue sky was rent asunder by the dazzling colours spewed by the waltzing rays of the setting sun. As the tremendous beauty of nature’s dance made way for the still darkness of the impending night, tears began rolling down his cheeks.

He felt his heart being pulled apart and his senses becoming spiritually impaired. He became so distressed and filled with sorrow that he started wailing. With a flurry of emotions running wild, coupled with an unintelligible mix of cries and sighs, all knots on his tongue were untied. He raised his hands towards the Heavens and lamented about his state of being. Those powerful words came to be known as Al-I’tirāf.