Professor Haroun Mustapha Leon, better known as Abdullah Quilliam, was an English scholar who reverted to Islam at the age of 17. He was also the founder of England’s first masjid and Islamic centre — Liverpool Muslim Institute in the year 1889. He travelled extensively, and published several essays and journals related to Islam. In 1894, Professor Leon was appointed Sheikh ul-Islam of the British Isles by Caliph Abdul Hamid II.
Given below is a poem titled “In Praise of Our Prophet”, composed by Haroun Mustapha Leon, and first published by The Islamic Review (volume 03; 1915).
In Praise of Our Prophet
So long as the heart doth pulsate and beat,
So long as the sun bestows light and heat,
So long as the blood through our veins doth flow,
So long as the mind in knowledge doth grow,
So long as the tongue retains power of speech,
So long as wise men true wisdom do teach,
The praise of Allah’s prophet, Muhammad the best,
Shall flow from our lips and spring from our breast.
***
‘Twas Rasul-Allah from darkness of night
Did lead us to Truth, did give to us Light,
Did point out the path, which follow’d with zest,
Leadeth to Islam and gives Peace and Rest.
Praise be to Allah! ‘Twas He who did send
Ahmad Muhammad, our Prophet, our Friend.
