I am an Imam
I can see that many people respect me; envy me
I can hear people say I am at leisure; free
Does anyone know my inner heart?
Within my heart, there are too many hidden predicaments!
As an Imam, ‘preaching the Scripture’ is my vocation,
‘Respecting Scripture, reforming customs’ are my obligations. However, it is very, very difficult for me to do so,
I am ashamed, I am an incompetent Imam!
I can only pull the mill for my religious sect; I can only run for the world,
The cries of nonstop shouting, the path of invisible images of whipping,
If follow order, one will be fed with grass; if not obedient, harness will be removed and then be driven out,
Keep on pulling, from dawn to dusk, keep on pulling, from dusk to daybreak.
Keep on pulling, turn around and around, keep on pulling, journey after journey.
Walking endlessly in circles, travelling endlessly on tortuous paths
Unable to throw off ignorance, unable to catch up with civilization
Unable to come out from dusk, unable to see light.
From sunrise to sunset, I feel extremely, extremely weary,
From spring to autumn, I live in bitterness,
In perplexity, I suddenly discover;
In front of me, it seems like thousand feet deep cliff,
Beside me, it is like a bottomless ravine.
I am scared with cold sweat, abruptly stop,
Finally, I woke up from a big dream……………
I fail to live up to the teachings taught by my teacher,
I have forgotten what my parents entrusted to me,
I have betrayed my original aspiration,
I am unworthy of the honour and salary,
I worry that the angel might review my work,
I am fearful of Allah’s anger,
Goodbye to those leaders of societies who are fond of religious denominations,
I can no longer be an accomplice of the internal strife;
Goodbye to the band of elders, who are obsessed with the world,
I can no longer be the horse and cow that consign selfish desires!
I vow…………I only want to be Allah’s servant,
No longer allow others to lead me by the nose!!!
I am an Imam, I want to live my life to the fullest and be upright!
Why torture my own spirit with too many difficulties?
Either be an Imam who is upright and veritable,
Or, go home and work on the village farm, selling sweet potatoes!!!