Sheikh Ibrahim an-Ni’mah was born in Mosul, Iraq, in 1361H/1942CE. His family lineage is related to the scholar Abdul Rahman bin Al-Jawzi, who died in the year 597H, who is related in lineage to Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq, the companion of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.

This poem is taken from his book, al-Wahdah al-Islamiyah bayna al-Ams wal Yawm (Islamic Unity between Yesterday and Today).

لو اشتكى مسلٌم في الصين أرّقني … أو اشتكى مسلم في الهند أبكاني

فمصر ريحانتي والشام نرجستي … وفي الجزيرة تاريخي وعنواني

وفي العراق أكف المجد ترفعني … عن كل باغ ومأفون وخّوان

ويسكن المسجد الأقصى وقبته … في القلب لا شك أرعاه ويرعاني

أرى بخارى بلادي وهي نائية … وأستريح إلى ذكرى خراسان

شريعة الله لمت شملنا وبنت … لنا مقاماً بإحسان وإيمان

If a Muslim complains in China, a Muslim in India will feel pain and weep.

Egypt is my sweet basil, Syria is my narcissus[1], and Arabia is my history and homeland.

In Iraq I see my glorious past which makes me look down on every treacherous aggressor.

Al-Masjid al-Aqsa and its dome reside in my heart; No doubt I care for it and it cares for me.

I think of Bukhara as my homeland although it is so far away, and I am cheered when Khorasan is mentioned.

The Sharia of Allah has brought us together, and raised our status through sincerity and faith.[2]

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[1] A flower

[2] Sheikh Ibrahim Al-Ni’mah, al-Wahdah al-Islamiyah bayna al-Ams wal-Yawm, Matba’ah az-Zahra’ al-Hadithah, 1425H/2004CE, p.23