A poor man like me, with a begging bag around my neck
My heart is free of any care
And I like people who are light-hearted
Such is the natural, he is liked by every natural
Natural, Natural, ay, by God, Natural
First thing in the morning, when I go out to work
I open my mouth and stretch out my hand
And for me, if I saw my granddad, who is not natural
For me, leaving him be, is only natural
Natural, Natural, ay, by God, Natural
I cover my body with needle and thread
of rough wool, which, for me, is a lot
“Who is that guy?” the people ask, bewildered
Still I’m just natural, loved by every Natural
Natural, Natural, ay, by God, Natural
My head is shaved and I walk around dazed
I beg in the market or at the mansions
Barefoot, walking the earth, saying: “Give for God’s sake,
some natural bread, to a natural man.”
Natural, Natural, ay, by God, Natural
I might sit down and not want to talk
I might lie on the earth as my bed
I graze on the earth’s grass, living well
The Natural one is loved by every Natural
Natural, Natural, ay, by God, Natural
I have a begging bag and a sea-shell
And a pot hung on the end of a stick
And my head is polished like a guitar
I walk naturally, naturally used to poverty
Natural, Natural, ay, by God, Natural
And when I stop at a town or market, I see the people come up to me
like brothers, their speech is well-intended
You see the Natural welcoming the Natural
Natural, Natural, ay, by God, Natural
I don’t fake anything, and I have no rule
I don’t crave food or clothes
and this position, is what every hypocrite needs
A natural poor man, loved by every natural
Natural, Natural, ay, by God, Natural
I know no jugde nor ruler
that’s more noble and natural for me
that’s how the high levels are described
A natural heart, in this state it is natural
Natural, Natural, ay, by God, Natural
Apart from these deeds, things are incomplete
Whoever humbles himself before a vizier or Sultan
Is arrogant and confused
His garment is natural, and by God, he is natural
Natural, Natural, ay, by God, Natural
Tearing the two sleeves, by this I mean, resurrection
Casting the two worlds from my heart
And I take off my two shoes to arrive at the Presence
Abandoning the unnatural is, for me, natural
Natural, Natural, ay, by God, Natural
I have a sitting mat that is pure like my heart
and a presence of intimacy with which I polish my cup
and a bunch of bags, a faqīr murabbī*
Natural, Natural, ay, by God, Natural
Natural, Natural, ay, by God, Natural
*A poor man (Sufi) who trains others.
Original:
Bob Marley
Lyrics:
There’s a natural mystic
Blowing through the air
If you listen carefully now you will hear
This could be the first trumpet
Might as well be the last
Many more will have to suffer
Many more will have to die
Don’t ask me why
Things are not the way they used to be
I won’t tell no lie
One and all got to face reality now
Though I try to find the answer
To all the questions they ask
Though I know it’s impossible
To go living through the past
Don’t tell no lie
There’s a natural mystic
Blowing through the air
Can’t keep them down
If you listen carefully now you will hear
Such a natural mystic
Blowing through the air
This could be the first trumpet
Might as well be the last
Many more will have to suffer
Many more will have to die
Don’t ask me why
There’s a natural mystic
Blowing through the air
I won’t tell no lie
If you listen carefully now, you will hear
There’s a natural mystic
Blowing through the air
Lyrics:
Old Twinkling Lee
Can’t see the right roads when the streets are paved
The old slave mill, might grind slow
But it grinds fine… yeah
[Verse 1]
African Herbsman, why linger on?
Just concentrate cuz heaven lives on
Retired slaveman, will look with a scorn
With a transplanted heart
[Bridge – Bob Marley and the Wailers]
[The Wailers]
Yes how quick we have to part
Yes how quick we have to part
[Bob]
The remembrance… of today… is the sad feeling of tomorrow…
[The Wailers]
Yes how quick we have to part
[Bob]
Oh, oh yeah
[Verse 2]
African Herbsman, seize your time
I’m taking illusion on the edge of my mind
I’m taking losers down through my life
Down through my life, yeah
[Bridge – Bob Marley and the Wailers]
[The Wailers]
Yes how quick we have to part
Yes how quick we have to part
[Bob]
Did they part? Yes they part!
In remembrance of today…
[The Wailers]
Yes how quick we have to part
[Repeat Verse 1]
[Bridge – Bob Marley and the Wailers]
[The Wailers]
Yes how quick we have to part
Yes how quick we have to part
[Bob]
In remembrance, of today, brings sad feelings of tomorrow
The flowing of the stream does nothing, but follows its nature
The perfect man does the same with regard to virtue
He does nothing to cultivate it, but all is affected by its presence
He is like the height of Heaven: natural
or the solidity of the Earth
or the brightness of sun and moon—all-natural
There is no need to cultivate this.
What is meant by ‘the True Man?’ The True men of old did not reject (the views of) the few; they did not seek to accomplish (their ends) like heroes (before others); they did not lay plans to attain those ends. Being such, though they might make mistakes, they had no occasion for repentance; though they might succeed, they had no self-complacency. Being such, they could ascend the loftiest heights without fear; they could pass through water without being made wet by it; they could go into fire without being burnt; so it was that by their knowledge they ascended to and reached the Tâo.
The True men of old did not dream when they slept, had no anxiety when they awoke, and did not care that their food should be pleasant. Their breathing came deep and silently. The breathing of the true man comes (even) from his heels, while men generally breathe (only) from their throats. When men are defeated in argument, their words come from their gullets as if they were vomiting. Where lusts and desires are deep, the springs of the Heavenly are shallow.
The True men of old knew nothing of the love of life or of the hatred of death. Entrance into life occasioned them no joy; the exit from it awakened no resistance. Composedly they went and came. They did not forget what their beginning bad been, and they did not inquire into what their end would be. They accepted (their life) and rejoiced in it; they forgot (all fear of death), and returned (to their state before life). Thus there was in them what is called the want of any mind to resist the Tâo, and of all attempts by means of the Human to assist the Heavenly. Such were they who are called the True men.
Being such, their minds were free from all thought; their demeanour was still and unmoved; their foreheads beamed simplicity. Whatever coldness came from them was like that of autumn; whatever warmth came from them was like that of spring. Their joy and anger assimilated to what we see in the four seasons. They did in regard to all things what was suitable, and no one could know how far their action would go.
If I neglect my love for a day, then I have left my sect
And if the thought of other than you occurs to me
Inadvertantly, I would consider it as my apostasy
You govern my life as you will,
so do what you will with me, for I have ever only desired you….
Original:
عن مذهبي في الحب مالي مذهب وان ملت يوما عنه فارقت ملتي
وان خطرت لي في سواك ارادة علي خاطري سهوا , قضيت بردتي
لك الحكم في أمري فما شئت فأصنعي فلم تك الا فيك لا عنك رغبتي
Unknown Authors
Various positions have those who love from (mere) passion
But I have a unique place, in which I dwell alone.
Original:
مذاهب شتى للمحبّين في الهوى و لي مدهب فرد أعيش به وحدي
Our expressions our many,
and your beauty is one
And it is to your beauty
that all of them allude
Original:
عباراتنا شتّى و حسنك واحد و كلّ إلى ذاك الجمال يشير
Rumi
The sect of Love is different from all other religions
For lovers, their sect and religion is simply God
Original:
ملت عشق از همه دینها جداست
عاشقان را ملت و مذهب خداست
Wisdom is bewildered by the religion of love
Although it knows all other religions
Original:
خرد نداند و حیران شود ز مذهبعشق
اگر چه واقف باشد ز جمله مذهبها
Bob Marley
Lyrics:
One Love! One Heart!
Let’s get together and feel all right.
Hear the children cryin’ (One Love!);
Hear the children cryin’ (One Heart!),
Sayin’: give thanks and praise to the Lord and I will feel all right;
Sayin’: let’s get together and feel all right. Wo wo-wo wo-wo!Let them all pass all their dirty remarks (One Love!);
There is one question I’d really love to ask (One Heart!):
Is there a place for the hopeless sinner,
Who has hurt all mankind just to save his own beliefs?
One Love! What about the one heart? One Heart!
What about – ? Let’s get together and feel all right
As it was in the beginning (One Love!);
So shall it be in the end (One Heart!),
All right!
Give thanks and praise to the Lord and I will feel all right;
Let’s get together and feel all right.
One more thing!
Let’s get together to fight this Holy Armagiddyon (One Love!),
So when the Man comes there will be no, no doom (One Song!).
Have pity on those whose chances grows t’inner;
There ain’t no hiding place from the Father of Creation.
Sayin’: One Love! What about the One Heart? (One Heart!)
What about the – ? Let’s get together and feel all right.
I’m pleadin’ to mankind! (One Love!);
Oh, Lord! (One Heart) Wo-ooh!
Give thanks and praise to the Lord and I will feel all right;
Let’s get together and feel all right.
Give thanks and praise to the Lord and I will feel all right;
Let’s get together and feel all right.
If the meaning of your speech is not for me, then I don’t know
For my heart will not be cured and my liver’s fire will not be quenched
I looked and I didn’t see any one but you whom I love
If not for you, love would not be sweet for those who love
So when thought unveils you in the retreat of satisfaction
and it disappears, the people say my passions have led me astray
By your life, the lover has not gone astray nor has he erred*
But when they generalized, they made the fatwa miss its mark
If they had seen the meaning of your beauty
just as I saw, with the eye of the heart, they wouldn’t deny the claim
I dropped all shame in your love and
whoever is shameless in love enjoys the pillow talk
I tore the robes of dignity to shreds, exposing myself to you
and so distress becomes sweet in your love
There is no complaint in love even if one’s insides are torn up
and shame on the lovers who complain of your love
*Paraphrase of Qur’an 53:2
Original:
إِذا لم يكنْ مَعْنى حديثك لي يُدْرَى فلا مُهْجْتيِ تُشْفىَ ولا كَبدي تُروَى
نَظرتُ فلم أنْظر سِواكَ أحبُّهُ ولَولاكَ ما طَاَب الهَوى لِلَّذي يَهوى
ولَّما اجْتلاَك الفكرُ في خَلوة الرّضا وغيّبت قال الناس ضَلت بي الاهْوا
لَعمرُك ما ضَلَّ المحبُّ وَما غَوى ولكَّنهمْ لمَّا عمُوا أخطئوا الفتوى
ولو شَهدوا معنى جمَالِكَ مثْلما شهدْتُ بعينِ القلبِ ما أنكروا الدَّعوى
خلعت عِذاري في هَواك وَمنْ يكنْ خليعَ عِذارِ في الهوى سَرَّهُ النجوى
وَمزقتُ أثواب الوقارِ تَهتكا عليكَ وطابت في محَبتكَ الْبلوَى
فما في الهْوى شكوىَ ولو مُزِّق الحَشَا وَعارٌ على العُشاق في حُبِّكَ الشَّكوى
Hafiz
The pupil of my eye sees naught but your face
My bewildered heart recalls none but you
مردم دیده ما جز به رخت ناظر نیست
دل سرگشته ما غیر تو را ذاکر نیست
In the gangster’s world there is no thought or opinion of self
In this religion, seeing or thinking of yourself is infidelity
Although not a poem in Arabic, this moving account of Divine “pillow talk” or munājāt (intimate discourses) by Ibn ‘Arabi was beautifully translated by Henri Corbin in poetic form (and modified by me to better correspond to the Arabic).
Translation:
Listen, O dearly beloved!
I am the sought essence in the cosmos
I am the centre of the circle and its circumference,
I am the compound and the simple
I am the command descending between Heaven and Earth,
I have only created perceptions for you so that by them, you might perceive Me
So if you perceive Me, you perceive yourself.
But you cannot perceive Me through yourself.
It is through My Eyes that you see Me and yourself,
Through your eyes you cannot see Me.
Dearly beloved!
How often I call you and you don’t hear!
How often I show myself to you and you don’t see!
How often I’ve become fragrance and you don’t smell Me,
And tasty food, a but you don’t taste Me!
What’s with you that you don’t feel me in the things you touch?
Or sense Me in sweet scents?
Why don’t you see Me? Why don’t you hear Me?
Why? Why? Why?
For you My delights surpass all other delights,
And the pleasure I bring you surpasses all other pleasures.
For you I am lovelier to all loveliness
I am Beauty/beautiful, I am Grace/gracious
Dearly beloved!
Love Me, and not other than Me
long for me, concern yourself with me
Don’t worry about anything other than me
Hug me, Kiss me!
Where could you find union like mine?
All that you seek is in it
And I want you for you
but you, you flee from me!
Dearly beloved!
You cannot treat Me fairly,
For if you approach Me,
It is because I have approached you.
I am nearer to you than yourself,
Than your soul, than your breath.
Who among creatures
Would treat you as I do?
I am jealous of you, over you,
I don’t like to see you with others
Not even with yourself.
Be Mine, be with Me
I will be with you
as you are with Me
while you are not even aware
be for Me as you are in Me,
Though you are not even aware of it.
Dearly beloved!
Let us go toward Union.
And if we find the road
That leads to separation,
We will destroy separation.
Come! Let us go hand in hand.
Let us enter the presence of the Real.
Let It be our judge
And imprint Its seal upon our union
For ever.
From: Henri Corbin. Creative Sufism ‘Alone with the Alone: Creative Imagination in the Sufism of Ibn Arabi, p. 174-75 (modified based on the Arabic original below)
Original:
!اسمع يا حبيبي
انا العين المقصودة في الكون
انا نقطة الدائرة ومحيطها
انا مركبها وبسيطها
انا الامر المنزل بين السماء والارض و السماء
ما خلفت لك الادراكات الا لتدركني بها
فاذا ادركتني ادركت نفسك
لا تطمع ان تدركني بادراكك نفسك
بعيني تراني ونفسك
لابعين نفسك تراني
!حبيبي
كم اناديك فلا تسمع؟
كم اتراءى لك فلا تبصر ؟
كم اندرج لك فى الروائح فلا تشم ؟
وفي الطعوم فلا تطعم لى ذوقا؟
ما لك لاتلمسني فى الملموسات ؟
ما لك لاتدركني فى المشمومات ؟
ما لك لاتبصرنى؟
ما لك لاتسمعني؟
ما لك مالك مالك ؟
انا الذ لك من كل ملذوذ
أنا اشهي لك من كل مشتهى
انا احسن لك من كل حسن
انا الجميل
انا المليح
! حبيبي
حبني لا تحب غيري
اعشقني هم في
لا تهم في سواي
ضمّني قبّلني
ما تجد وصولا مثلي
كل يريدك له
وانا اريدك لك
وانت تفر مني
يا حبيبي
ما تنصفني
ان تقربت اليّ
تقربت اليك اضعاف ما تقربت به اليّ
انا اقرب اليك من نفسك و نسفك
من يفعل معك ذلك غيري من المخلوقين
حبيبي
اغار عليك منك
لا احب ان اراك عند الغير
اللهم بسطوة جبروت قهرك، وبسرعة إغاثة نصرك، وبغيرتك لانتهاك حرماتك، وحمايتك لمن احتمى بآياتك، Allahumma bisatwati jabarouti qahrika, wa bisorati ighathati nasrika, wa bighayratika li ntihaki horumaika, wa himayatika liman ihtama bi ayatik. O Allah, by the force of the absolute power with which You triumph, and the quickness of Your succour when You aid to victory, and Your jealousy at the violation of things You have made sacrosanct, and by Your protection of him who seeks safety in Your verses:
نسألك يا الله يا سميع يا قريب يا مجيب يا سريع يا منتقم يا شديد البطش يا جبار يا قهار يا من لا يعجزه قهر الجبابرة ولا يعظم عليه هلاك المتمردة من الملوك والأكاسرة أن تجعل كيد من كادنا في نحره ومكر من مكر بنا عائدا عليه، وحفرة من حفر لنا واقعا فيها ومن نصب لنا شبكة الخداع، اجعلها ياسيدي مساقا إليها ومصادا فيها وأسيرا لديها، Nas’aloka ya Allah,ya Samee’o,ya Qareebo, ya Saree’o, ya Montaqimo, ya Shadeeda l-batshi, ya Jabbaro, ya Qahhar, ya man la yo’jizohu qahro l-jababirati mina l-molooki wa l-akasirah, an taj’ala kayda man kadana fi nahrihi, wa makra man mkara bina ‘a’idan ‘alayhi, wa hofrata man hafara lana waqi’an fiha, wa man nasaba lana shabakata l-khida’i j’alho ya sayyidi mosaqan fiha, wa mosadan fiha, wa ‘aseeran ladayha.
I ask You, O Allah, O All-near, O All-hearing, O All-answering, O Ever-swift, O Vengeful, O Mighty of Assault: O Compeller, O Invincible, O You who are undeterred by the might of tyrants, and to whom the destruction of rebellious traitors, of kings and caesars, is very easy: make the trap of him who sets one for me cut his own throat; the plot of him who plots against me return against him; and make him who digs a pit for me fall in it himself; And he who spreads a web of treachery for me, make him, My Lord, driven to it and caught in it.
اللهم بحق كهيعص اكفنا هم العدا ولقهم الردا واجعلهم لكل حبيب فدا. وسلط عليهم عاجل النقمة في اليوم والغدا. Allahomma bihaqqi Kaf ha ya ‘ayn sad ikfina hamma l-ida. Wa laqqihimo r-rada. Wa j’alhom likolli habibin fida. Wa sallit ‘alayhim ‘ajila n-naqmati fi l-yawmi wa l-ghada.
O Allah, by the right of Kaf Ha Ya ‘Ayn Sad relieve us of the worry of enemies, let them meet with death, make them the ransom of every beloved, and loose upon them a speedy vengeance, day and night.
اللهم بدد شملهم. اللهم فرق جمعهم. اللهم أقلل عددهم. اللهم فل حدهم. اللهم اجعل الدائرة عليهم. اللهم وأوصل العذاب إليهم. اللهم أخرجهم عن دائرة الحلم. واسلبهم مدد الإمهال. وغل أيديهم وأرجلهم واشدد على قلوبهم ولا تبلغهم الآمال. Allahomma baddid shamlahom. Allahomma farriq jam’ahom. Allahomma aqlil adadahom. Allahomma folla haddahom. Allahomma j’ali d-da’irata ‘alayhim. Allahomma awsili l-athaba ilayhim. Allahomma akhrijhom min da’irati l-hilm. Wa slobhom madada l-imhal. Wa gholla aydeehim wa arjolohom, wa shdod ‘ala qoloobihim, wa la toballighohomo l-a’amal.
O Allah, scatter their company; O Allah shatter their unity; O Allah, lessen their number; O Allah, blunt their edge; O Allah, turn fate against them; O Allah, unleash torment upon them; O Allah, banish them from the circle of clemency, and strip them of the benefit of postponement, and fetter their hands and feet, and blind their hearts, and give them no hope.
اللهم مزقهم كل ممزق مزقته لأعدائك انتصارا لأنبيائك ورسلك وأوليائك Allahomma mazzikhom kolla momazzaqin mazzaqtaho li ‘a’daaika n-tisaran li anbiya’ika wa rosolika wa awliya’k.
O Allah, rend them utterly to pieces, as You have rent Your enemies, to win the day for Your prophets, messengers and You beloved ones.
اللهم انتصر لنا انتصارك لأحبابك على أعدائك (3) Allahomma n-tassir lana n-tisaraka li ahbabika ‘ala a’daa’ik. (3)
O Allah, give us the victory You give to those You love over Your enemies. (3)
(اللهم لا تمكن الأعداء فينا ولا تسلطهم علينا بذنوبنا (3 Allahomma la tomakkini l-a’daa’a fina, wa la tosallithom ‘alayna bi-thonoobina (3)
O Allah, do not let Your enemies defeat us, nor give them power over us because of our sins. (3)
حم، حم، حم، حم، حم، حم، حم Ha Mim, Ha Mim, Ha Mim, Ha Mim, Ha Mim, Ha Mim, Ha Mim,
Ha Mim, Ha Mim, Ha Mim, Ha Mim, Ha Mim, Ha Mim, Ha Mim,
حم الأمر وجاء النصر فعلينا لا ينصرون Homma l-amro wa ja’a n-nasro fa ‘alayna la yonsaroon.
The matter be done; the victory come; against us they shall not be helped.
حمعسق حمايتنا مما نخاف. Hamim ‘Ayn Sin Qaf himayatona mimma nakhaf.
Ha Mim ‘Ayn Sin Qaf is our protection from what we fear.
اللهم قنا شر الأسواء ولاتجعلنا محلا للبلواء. اللهم أعطنا أمل الرجاء وفوق الأمل. Allahomma qina sharra l-aswa’i, wa la taj’alna mahallan lil balwa. Allahomma a’tina amala r-raja’i wa fawqa l-amal.
O Allah, shield us from the evil of iniquities, and make us not a place of tribulation. O Allah, give us cause to hope, and more than hope.
يا هو يا هو يا هو Ya hoo. Ya hoo. Ya hoo
O You, O You, O You,
يا من بفضله لفضله نسألك العجل العجل. إلهي، الإجابة الإجابة. Ya man bifadhlihi lifadhlihi, nas’aloka l-‘ajala l-‘ajal. Ilahi l-‘ijabata l-ijabah.
O You from whose favor we ask of His favor that it be fast, fast, fast. O my God, An answer, An answer.
يا من أجاب نوحا في قومه، يا من نصر إبراهيم على أعدائه، يا من رد يوسف على يعقوب. يا من كشف ضر أيوب. يا من أجاب دعوة زكريا. يا من قبل تسبيح يونس بن متى. Ya man ajaba Nouhan fi qawmih, ya man nasara Ibrahim ‘ala a’daa’ih, ya man radda Yousofa ‘ala Ya’qoob, ya man kashafa dhorra Ayyoub, ya man ajaba da’wata Zakariyya, ya man qabila tasbeeha Younosa bni Matta.
O You who answered Noah about his people. O You who made Abraham triumphant over his foes. O You who reunited Joseph with Jacob. O You who lifted the affliction of Job. O You who answered the prayer of Zachariah. O You who accepted the praises of Jonah son of Amittai.
نسألك بأسرار هذه الدعوات أن تقبل ما به دعوناك، وأن تعطينا ما سألناك. أنجز لنا وعدك الذي وعدته لعبادك المؤمنين. Nas’aloka bi-asrari hathihi d-da’awat an taqbala ma bihi da’awnak, wa an to’tiyana ma sa’alnak Anjiz lana wa’daka l-athi wa’adtaho li ‘ibadika l-mo’mineen.
O Allah, by the secrets of those supplications, beseech You to accept our supplications, and give us what we have asked, and keep Your promise You have given Your believing servants.
لا إله إلا أنت سبحانك إني كنت من الظالمين. La ilaha illa anta, sobhanaka, inni konto mina dhalimeen.
“There is no god but You. Exalted is Your perfection; verily I was of the wrongdoers”
انقطعت آمالنا وعزتك إلا منك، وخاب رجاؤنا وحقل إلا فيك. Inqata’at aamalona, wa izzatoka, illa mink. Wa khaba raja’ona, wa haqqoka, illa feek.
Our wishes come to nothing- I swear by Your might- except from You; and our hopes are dashed- I swear by Your right- except in You.
إن أبطأت غارة الأرحام وابتعدت، فأقرب الشيء منا غارة الله. In abta’at gharato l-arahami wa bta’adat, fa aqrabo sh-shay’i minna gharato l-Lah.
If the rescue raid of kinsmen be slow and far off, the nearest thing to us is the rescue raid of Allah.
يا غارة الله جدي السير مسرعة في حل عقدتنا. Ya gharata l-Lahi, jiddi s-sayra mosri’atan li halli ‘oqadatina.
O raid of Allah, fly with haste to end our plight.
يا غارة الله عدت العادون وجاروا ورجون الله مجيرا. Ya gharata l-Lahi, ‘adati l-‘adoon wa jarou, wa rajawna l-Laha mojeera.
O raid of Allah, wrongdoers have assailed us and transgressed; and Allah we seek as protector.
وكفى بالله وليا وكفى بالله نصيرا. Wa kafa bi l-Lahi waliyan wa kafa bi l-Lahi naseera.
And Allah suffices as friend; and Allah suffices as helper.
وحسبنا الله ونعم الوكيل Wa hasbona l-Laho wa ni’ma l-wakeel.
“Allah suffices us and is best to rely on”
ولا حول ولا قوة إلا بالله العلي العظيم Wa la hawla wa la qowata illa bi l-Lahi l-Aliyyi l-Adheem.
“There is no power or strength except through Allah, the High, the All-great”
سلام على نوح في العالمين Salamon ‘ala Nouhin fi l-‘alameen.
Peace be with Noah among people.
استجب لنا آمين. Istajib lana, ameen.
Answer us. Ameen.
فقطع دابر القوم الذين ظلموا والحمد لله رب العالمين Fa qoti’a dabiro l-qawmi l-latheen dhalamoo, wa l-hamdo li-Lahi rabbi l-‘alameen.
“the wrongdoing folk were extirpated, and praise be to Allah Lord of the Worlds”
وصلى الله على سيدنا محمد وعلى آله وصحبه وسلم. Wa salla l-Laho ‘ala sayyidina Mohammadin wa ‘ala aalihi wa sahbihi wa sallam.
Allah bless our liegelord Mohammad, and his folk and Companions, and truly give them peace.
The disciple of Ibn ‘Arabi, ‘Afīf al-din Tilimsānī (d. 1291), and his son (known as al-Shab al-Ẓarīf, “The Elegant Youth”) are known and loved for their poetry, some of which is still sung today. Here I present one poem from the father, and a more famous poem by the son with special thanks to K.M. for help with the translations.
‘Afīf al-Dīn al-Tilimsānī
Translation:
Don’t be fooled by the fineness of her cheek
For the sword slays by the fineness of its blade
Leave the eyelids, for their drowsiness has become
a point in the straightened spear of her stature
My sleep, like a gazelle, is constantly fleeing from me
For he unites his opposite with his exile
Frailty flowed into my body from her coldness
And I loved it because it is from her
The enviers were amazed, having seen my drunkenness without limit
while my heart endured the punishment of her limits*
Be easy, for doesn’t the flapping of her sash
resemble my heart or the flame of her cheek?
This is a connection, that were my heart to attain it, ablaze
I would forgive her in its burning
My thanks to my patience with her, for when she betrayed me
I saw betrayal as faithfulness to her promise
My weeping from distance and being crushed
Is a pearl in my hands, not in her necklace
Who can be fair to me in nearness?
for my near one has spurned me, so who then can rescue me from her distance?
O ban tree of the valley, and O its leaves, weep for your branch
since I weep for her loss
you are sad and sad am I—both of us
Today, one who has been pardoned laments his love
My state is like yours, and the neighbor, with his hand on the water