ODE: "A BIRTHDAY ODE TO IMAM PROFESSOR ABDUL QUDDUS AMUNI" BY PROFESSOR TIMEHIN OLUROTIMI

On this blessed turn of sacred time,

We lift our voices, prose, and rhyme—

To honour one whose life has been

A guide for men, a lamp within

Imām in rank, yet servant still,

You lead with grace, with soul, and will

Upon the minbar, strong and wise,

You lift the gaze beyond the skies*

In Arabic tongue’s majestic art,

You find the pulse, the sacred heart—

Of meanings veiled, of verses vast,

You bring the future to the past

But not in language do you end—

You walk where histories bend and blend.

You stand where Blackness finds its voice,

And in its dignity, you do rejoice

Through texts of ink and flesh and soul,

You’ve made the shattered story whole.

From Timbuktu to Harlem’s fire,

You raise the themes that still inspire

In conference seminars and sacred space,

You speak with calm prophetic grace;

A fusion rare of mind and creed,

A scholar's thought, a leader's deed.

You’ve taught us how the great Qur'an

Still echoes in the voice of man—

In chains, in songs, in written scrolls,

In freedom's cry from broken souls.

In Arabs' tongue and its rhythmic thread

Or Black studies with its oceanic spread

You've carved a niche and hewn a name

In bold letters on rocks of fame

With a valiant pen like Antarah's sword

And wisdom-laden thoughts as Luqman's word

Your work—a bridge across the seas,

Between the mosque and Black histories

You write not just to feed the mind,

But stir the heart to seek and find.

So on this day, this mawlid bright,

We pray for you in Heaven’s light:

May Allah bless your every breath,

And keep away from you the hands of death.

May every verse you've taught or penned

Return to you a timeless friend.

Imām, Professor, guide, and flame—

We honour more than just your name.

We honour what your life has meant:

A journey vast, a soul well-spent.

In scrolls of lore and classic verse,

You journeyed far and flew to Mars—

With every *harf and every bayt,

You bring the ancient close to fate.

A torch you bear through time and tongue,

Wherever eloquence and truth are sung;

From Jahiliyyah’s ancient towering pride,

To beautiful Andalusian dreams that none can hide

Big brother, you told their tales to kith and kin

With such a mind, both sharp and keen

You guide the young to stick to the truth

With every finger, nail, or tooth

Your days are inked with legacy,

Of knowledge taught with accuracy;

So may this birthday for you renew,

A thousand joys long overdue.

May health and peace with you abide,

Like faithful stars that never hide.

And may your light keep waxing strong,

In grace and lustre your whole life long.

© PROFESSOR TIMEHIN SAHEED OLUROTIMI 

30th of May, 2025.

- Nigeria

The poet celebrates the birthday of Professor Amuni at Lagos State University, Ojo. The voice appreciates Professor Amuni for his undeniable impact to people in both Islamic and academic ways. The bard prays that the addresse's joy and life shall exist longer by God's Grace.