IF NOT IN DUNYA, THEN IN JANNAH

Lyrics

IF NOT IN DUNYA, THEN IN JANNAH [Intro — Oud alone, slow and spacious. Ney answers softly.] Verse 1 I have carried dreams inside my heart, Things I could not say aloud, Every night I raise my hands, And whisper through the clouds. Ya Allah, You know what I carry, You know the tears I hide, You know the love I’m waiting for, The hope I keep inside. [Qanun enters softly, answering the oud.] Pre-Chorus If the doors are closed today, I will still believe somehow, What You have written for my heart Will find its way to me. Chorus And if I don’t find it in this dunya, If my dreams remain unseen, I’ll keep my faith, I’ll keep my prayer, I’ll trust what You have planned for me. And if our hands don’t meet beneath The moon of this temporary life, Then let me find you in Jannah, Where there is no goodbye. [Arabic violin rises gently behind the vocal.] Verse 2 I’ve waited through the silent nights, I’ve held on when I was weak, Sometimes my heart had no more words, But still Your name I’d speak. Every disappointment taught me That Your timing isn’t mine, Maybe what I call a broken dream Is something You redesigned. Pre-Chorus So I won’t question every door, I won’t surrender to the pain, If You delay the thing I love, There must be wisdom in the wait. Chorus And if I don’t find it in this dunya, If my dreams remain unseen, I’ll keep my faith, I’ll keep my prayer, I’ll trust what You have planned for me. And if our hands don’t meet beneath The moon of this temporary life, Then let me find you in Jannah, Where there is no goodbye. [Daf enters very softly. Ney improvises over the strings.] Bridge — almost whispered Ya Rabb… You know what my heart desires. If it is good for me, bring it near. If it is not, give me something better. And if my greatest hope Was never meant for this world… Then let me meet it Where sorrow cannot reach us. In Jannah… Where nothing beautiful ends. [Full Arabic strings swell. Oud and qanun play together.] Final Chorus If I don’t find it in this dunya, I will not believe I’ve lost, For every prayer I gave to You Is known by You, no matter the cost. And if this life is only a journey, Then I’ll walk it patiently, Because what You keep for tomorrow May be more beautiful than what I see. And if we never meet beneath The skies of this temporary life, Then, Ya Allah, let us meet in Jannah, Where love will never have to say goodbye. [Music gradually falls away.] Outro — Oud + Ney I will keep believing… I will keep praying… And whatever You have written… I will call it beautiful. If not in dunya… Then, insha’Allah… Jannah.