Du’a Nāṣiri Translation: O You to Whose mercy one flees! You in Whom the one in need and distress seeks refuge! O Master, You Whose pardon is near! O You Who help all who call on Him! There is nothing more majestic than Your immense power and nothing mightier than the might of Your…
My glance at the Beloved’s face…
Translation: My glance at the face of the beloved is bliss and separation from she whom I love is agony to me I am he who has not been pitied as a lover until, worn out, I became a mercy for the lovers O planter of the basil around our tents Don’t plant the basil for you…
‘Afīf al-dīn Tilimsānī and son
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…
Me/not Me
Shah Niyaz Barelvi A lover without news I am I am not I, yet I am I A Knower with art I am I am not I, nay I am I Burning of the heart and liver I am Restless in seclusion I am knowledgeable of all cures I am I am not I, nay…
Qur’anic meditations
Qur’an 21:25, 20:14, and 6:103 وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَا مِن قَبْلِكَ مِن رَّسُولٍ إِلَّا نُوحِي إِلَيْهِ أَنَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا أَنَا فَاعْبُدُونِ We never sent a Messenger before thee but we revealed unto him, “There is no God but I, so worship Me.” إِنَّنِي أَنَا اللَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا أَنَا فَاعْبُدْنِي وَأَقِمِ الصَّلَاةَ لِذِكْرِي Verily, I am God,…
Good news from Shaykh al-‘Alawi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILStmtFREEs Translation: Good news to you, my friends! News of nearness and drawing near! You are gathered in security As long as you are in the party of Allah. Good news to you, my masters! Good news to you, my lovers! Good news about what is coming —You are in the mercy of Allah. Your gathering is…
Qaṣīdah Luṭfiyyah by Aḥmad al-‘Alawī
This poem by the Algerian Shaykh Aḥmad al-‘Alāwī (d.1934) is commonly sung after recitations of the Qur’an in the Maghreb, France, and other areas to which his Tariqah has spread: Translation: Oh Lord, by your kindness, O my hope be kind to us, and grant us deliverance We ask You, O Lord, by the Qur’an…
Fragments of Love
Some famous and beautiful fragments (single verses) of Arabic Love poetry, often cited by Sufis. Translation: If not for You, we would not know Love, If not for Love, we would not know You. Original: لو لاكم ما عرفنا الهوى ولو لا الهوى ما عرفناكم Translation:…
Keats and the Sufis
these poems by John Keats pair nicely with the following poems by Ibn al-Farid and Hafez John Keats “Fill for me a brimming bowl” What wondrous beauty! From this moment I efface from my mind all women. Terrence, Eunuch, II.3.296 Fill for me a brimming bowl And in it let me drown my soul: But put therein…
Pass round love’s remembrance
One of my favorite poems by one of my favorite poets, Ibn al-Fāriḍ: Translation: Pass round the remembrance the one I love, even in reproach for tales about the beloved are my wine Let my hearing witness the one I love, though she be far through specters…