Poetry has long been a sacred and powerful form of expression. From ancient times to the digital age, it has served as a mirror to the human soul, giving voice to emotions too complex for plain speech. Within the Islamic tradition, poetry holds a remarkably esteemed place, both as a vehicle for spiritual reflection and a means of cultural and social communication. Today, poetry continues to offer people of all ages a powerful outlet, but perhaps no group needs this more than teenagers. As they navigate the pressures and uncertainties of adolescence, poetry can serve as a path to healing, connection, and self-discovery. How do I know? Because I have been there myself.
My poetry journey began a little earlier than my teenage years. I was in fifth grade then, what we might now call the "tween" stage. It was the early 1990s, and my father had been deployed to the Persian Gulf War. I was living on an Army base in Texas, surrounded by other children whose parents were also serving in the military. My best friend’s mother had been sent to the war as well, and together, she and I began coping with the uncertainty and fear through poetry. We wrote raps expressing our frustration and our sadness about our parents being sent to a distant land to fight an enemy we could barely comprehend. Our verses called for victory and the safe return of our loved ones. When our teacher discovered what we had written, she invited us to perform our poems in front of the class. That small but powerful gesture left a lasting impression on me. From that moment on, poetry became my therapy, a safe space to tell my truth, and it has remained a part of my life ever since.
Poetry and Islam
I continued to write throughout my teenage years, and poetry became an even deeper refuge after I embraced Islam in 2000. Just a year later, the events of September 11, 2001, unfolded, and like many Muslims in America, I was thrust into a new reality shaped by suspicion, fear, and rising Islamophobia. Though I was twenty years old by that time, my pen remained my faithful companion, helping me process the complexities of identity, faith, and public perception. I poured my emotions into verses, poems that eventually became part of my first collection, De Puerto Rico to Islam with Love: A Collection of Poetry About Identity and Faith. Through this journey, I came to realize that poetry was not only a tool for personal healing and self-expression in modern times but also deeply rooted in Islamic history. This connection to a tradition that had long honored the power of words gave my writing a new purpose and deeper meaning.
Poetry has been revered in Islamic tradition since the earliest days of revelation. During the lifetime of the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, poets were widely respected figures, their words wielding immense influence in society. Some of the polytheists of Mecca even used poetry to try to taint the message of Islam or deter people from the faith. That is why the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “Poetry is in the same position as speech. The beautiful among it is like beautiful words, and the ugly among it is like ugly words.” (Al-Adab al-Mufrad, 862).
Thankfully, some gifted poets and orators became Muslims and used their influence to spread the message of Islam. When we hear the phrase, “The pen is mightier than the sword,” I think of the important historical figures who fought to honor Islam through their words. Notably, companions like Hassan ibn Thabit used poetry to defend the Prophet and uplift the early Muslim community. Aisha reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, would set up a pulpit in the mosque for Hassan, and he would stand on it and satirize in poetry whoever spoke against the Messenger of Allah. The Prophet said:
“Verily, the holy spirit is with Hassan as long as he defends the Messenger of Allah.” (Sunan Abi Dawud, 5015).
Although not poetry, the Quran itself was revealed in the most eloquent form of the Arabic language, during a time when linguistic mastery was considered the highest form of art. Just as Prophet Musa, peace be upon him, was given miracles that outmatched the magic of his time, and Prophet Isa, peace be upon him, was granted healing powers in a society immersed in medicine, the Qur’an came as a linguistic miracle. It silenced even the most accomplished poets of the Arabian Peninsula, leaving them in awe of its unmatched beauty and depth. This highlights the importance of the spoken and written word as a vessel for truth and transformation within Islamic history.
Throughout Islamic history, poetry served as a creative outlet and a profound expression of love for Allah and longing for the Divine. The works of mystics like Rabia al-Adawiyya and Jalaluddin Rumi are treasured for their spiritual depth and emotional resonance even in the non-Muslim world. Rabia’s poetry speaks of a love for Allah that is pure and unconditional, while Rumi’s verses overflow with metaphors for divine connection, inner transformation, and submission to God's will. While some may dismiss these figures as overly mystical or outside the bounds of orthodoxy, it is important to remember that many respected scholars within the Islamic tradition have also embraced poetry.
Imam al-Shafi'i was known for his jurisprudence and eloquent poetry that touched on themes of patience, humility, and trust in Allah. Ibn Hazm, a renowned Andalusian polymath, combined rigorous scholarship with poetic reflections, particularly in his famous Tawq al-Hamama (The Ring of the Dove), which explored love through both emotional and spiritual lenses. Additionally, poetry played a vital role in Islamic pedagogy; students memorized didactic poems to master Arabic grammar, theology, and principles of jurisprudence. Poetic works such as Ibn Malik’s Alfiyyah, a thousand-line verse on Arabic grammar, and Al-Ajrūmiyyah by Muhammad ibn Da’ud as-Sanhaji, a foundational text in the same field, continue to be studied and memorized in traditional Islamic seminaries around the world. Thus, poems have served as a source of devotion and inner reflection and have been a respected educational tool. Whether as an act of worship or a means to preserve and transmit sacred knowledge, poetry occupies a central and dignified place in Islamic intellectual and spiritual life.
Poetry as a Tool for Social Change
While poetry allows us to express our innermost thoughts, it also holds the potential to shift minds and stir movements. The famous African American poet Langston Hughes once wrote, “In all my life, I have never been free. I have never been able to do anything with freedom, except in the field of my writing.” Hughes, known as the father of the Harlem Renaissance, used poetry as a means of resistance and self-expression during a time of intense racial discrimination. His words, along with the works of other Black artists and writers of the 1920s and 30s, painted vivid portraits of struggle, hope, and resilience. Their work disrupted stereotypes and made space for Black voices to be heard and celebrated. In a similar way, poetry today can empower young people, especially teens, to speak their truths, confront injustices, and articulate the realities of their lives in a way that others can feel and understand.
Encouraging Teens to Express Themselves Through Poetry
Teenagers today face a complex and ever-evolving world. They are navigating identity, mental health, peer pressure, family expectations, and a constant stream of information from social media and other channels. Additionally, Muslim teens witness a lot of the injustices happening to their coreligionists around the world and face the brunt of ongoing islamophobia in the West. Writing poetry can offer them a healthy and meaningful outlet to explore their emotions, give shape to their experiences, and process their fears and hopes. Not all teens are cut out to be poets, but for those who show interest in writing, it may be helpful to provide them with the support and tools they need to succeed in their artistic pursuits. However, it is important to know that poetry is personal and is born from inspiration. Therefore, it cannot be faked or forced, so proceed with caution when helping your child. Here are some tips:
- Encourage a Poetry Journal
Parents and educators can nurture teen creativity by helping them start a poetry journal or dedicate a notebook to free writing. This simple practice can create a space for reflection, healing, and personal growth, allowing poetry to become a sanctuary for young people. - Explore Poetry in Music
If teens are drawn to music, help them understand the poetic structures in song lyrics. Hip-hop, for example, has its roots in revolutionary poetry, much like the Harlem Renaissance. It emerged from marginalized communities using rhythm and rhyme to make sense of their struggles. While some parents may feel uneasy about certain music genres, a healthy compromise could be encouraging halal alternatives like nasheeds or listening critically to popular songs to analyze the message and what can be learned from the artist's words. - Use Poetry Prompts to Inspire
If you’re an educator, provide poetry prompts to fuel inspiration. Many books and apps offer prompts, but it is essential not to let them replace the authentic, unfiltered creativity that often emerges from the heart. Encouraging teens to write without restrictions can unlock the most powerful and genuine poetry. - Attend Spoken Word Performances
Watch spoken word performances together, attend poetry slams, or listen to lyrical artists. These events can spark creativity and introduce young writers to the power of words in different formats, enhancing their appreciation for poetry’s dynamic nature. - Learn About Muslim Poets
Explore the poets of Islamic history, their works, and their influence on culture and society. Reading and reflecting on their poetry can bridge tradition and the future. Find a favorite poet together, immerse yourselves in their words, and let their poetry inspire you and your family.
Poetry offers a connection between the past and the present, between sacred tradition and contemporary expression. For Muslim teens, it can be a way to honor their heritage while giving voice to their lived experiences. Allowing your child to use poetry for emotional growth and identity formation can equip them with the skills to navigate life’s challenges creatively and confidently. It did for me, and I can say that the impact has been beyond valuable. In the end, poetry is not just about rhyme or rhythm, it is about truth and the courage to speak from the heart.
Author:
Wendy Díaz
Bio: Wendy Díaz is a Puerto Rican Muslim writer, award-winning poet, translator, and mother of six (ages ranging from toddler to teen). She co-founded Hablamos Islam, a non-profit organization that produces educational resources about Islam in Spanish (hablamosislam.org). She has written, illustrated, and published over a dozen children’s books and lives with her family in Maryland. Follow Wendy Díaz on social media @authorwendydiaz and @hablamosislam.
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