Gratitude and Great Ideas

Just like the master al-Attas,

Sending electric shocks of thought,

People begin to understand,

The great ideas he brought.

Chain-linked works of wisdom,

A school of thought so grand,

Students inherit the impact,

Of that electric hand.

If we trace the origins,

Of these great ideas we see,

Gratitude for those who brought,

This precious legacy.

University teachings,

Answering universal queries,

Covering the particular,

Systematic and sincere.

Grateful for the presence,

Of Professor al-Attas so wise,

Students who continue,

This legacy that never dies.

If we trace the origins,

Of these great ideas we see,

Gratitude for those who brought,

This precious legacy.

La yashkuru Allah man la yashkuru al-nas,

The world is full of cries,

From Pharaoh’s loud claims,

To empty shouts that die.

A hundred years from now,

Which school will still remain?

A legacy of wisdom,

Or echoes of the vain?