The Outwardly Pious Poem by Mystic Qalandar

Lost in the noise of words,
They forget the meanings
God once breathed into hearts.

"Among mankind are those who say,
‘We believe in God and the Last Day, '—
yet they are not true believers."

They dwell in the surface of speech,
Blind to the silence within.

Loud are their calls to prayer,
Yet mercy withers in their hearts.

"God looks not at your forms or wealth,
but at your hearts and your deeds."

For what He seeks
is not the robe of piety,
but the purity of soul,
the honesty of action.

The Messenger ﷺ said:
"There are four signs of the hypocrite:
When he speaks, he lies;
When he promises, he betrays;
When he's trusted, he deceives;
When he quarrels, he abuses."

Behind the veil of worship
Hides that same hypocrisy.

They see the mote in another's eye,
While hiding the beam in their own.

"Hold to forgiveness,
command what is right,
and turn away from the ignorant."

The lesson is mercy —
even toward those
who know no better.

Their prostrations are long,
but the idols of the heart stand tall.
They mark the hours of prayer,
but forget the hour of compassion.

"Indeed, the most honored among you
in God's sight
is the one most righteous."

O outwardly pious soul,
How long will you imprison God in words?
When will you see —
Faith is not a show of sound or form,
But the fragrance of justice,
the breath of love,
the pulse of sincerity.

—October 4,2025