Seek knowledge from cradle to the grave

By Mory Keita

“Salam,” he says entering the room.

He looks upon the faces and gently smiles and

Says: May Allah bless you all.

“Salam to you, O prophet”,

The house members joyfully reply,contemplating his gesture.

They look at him as if there is a nimbus above his head.

“O messenger of Allah” the elder says, “what cause brings you here?”

He looks up to the stars contemplating its beauty,

It serene tranquility which brings peace to night and

He says to the elder, “see, the grandeur of your Lord”.

And the elder replies “yes I see heaven. My lord is truly grand”.

To that, the prophet shook his head and gently taped the elder’s elbow,

“How many times have you seen the starry night?” he says.

The elder pauses for a time and replies, “as long as I have been of this dust”.

Then, the apostle of Allah replies “I am here to tell the wishes of your Lord”.

“What are the wishes of the architect of the universe?” the elder replies serenely,

Then, the servant of Allah replies “your Lord wishes that you seek the unknown and teach.”

 To that, the elder replies, “O Apostle of Allah, I am of old age, what can I learn”

Again, the prophet smiles and says “seek knowledge from cradle to the grave.”

The elder looked upon the prophet with admiration and says,

“Did not our Lord commands to strive for his cause?”

The prophet replied, “The ink of the scholar is more holy than the blood of the martyr.”

Then, he said again, “Salam “to the people of the house,

After, he marched away thanking the great architect for dwelling knowledge upon men.

Seek knowledge from cradle to the grave