Khwajah Muhammad was a Sufi mystic belonging to the Bangash tribe of Afghans. Here is an heart warming poem where he seeks protection from the One Protector.
Passage
From all ills, shield Thou me, O God, my Protector!
For save Thee, there is none other, my Protector!
Unto Thee I have intrusted the affairs of both worlds:
Of all things, both of faith and country, Thou art the Protector!
The flesh and the devil, alas! waylay me everywhere:
I have no means of escape, save through Thee, O Protector!
Of the world’s calamities and woes, I shall have no dread;
Since, everywhere, Thou art my shield from ill, O Protector!
When I draw near unto Thee, go Thou before, O my guide!
For on this road I have no other friend but Thee, O Protector!
Every morn I cry unto Thee: with Thee I for union yearn;
Then, one morn, accept the prayer of my heart, O Protector!
Upon sinful Khwājah Muḥammad Thy love bestow,
That he may ever praise and call upon thy name, O Protector!
H.G. Raverty. Selections from the Poetry of the Afghans, 1868.
