Dawud Wharnsby-'Ummati Answer Me'

Come - listen to her story with me
In a world of opportunity
A little girl has lots to say
But everyone's so far away
Come - listen to her story with me

Her tiny life and tiny hands shake
Ashamed of her unknown mistake
A child’s hopes and tears in vain
She believes she is to blame
Listen to her story with me

Chorus
“Ya Ummati (Oh, my People), answer me:

Why am I suffering this way?
Ummati, I am so afraid

Don't I have the right to learn and play?"

A silent call to you and me
Too caught up with our lives to hear or see
We will answer to Allah one day
Then what will we have to say -
For busy lives so void of mercy?

Chorus
Allah created beauty, innocence and peace
And He blessed us with the children to remind us all of these
Allah entrusted to us all a gift to hold so near
To teach with love - teach how to love

Allah's Command is clear

In Allah's Garden, there’s a flower at play
The abandoned gift we turned away
Had we only been brave enough to hear -
Her playground prayer to our deaf ear
Her smile might not haunt us today

Chorus
Ya Ummati, we all know the answer

The ignorance must end today
Ummati, open up your heart

Every child has the right to learn and play
Every child has the right to grow and pray