Qasidah Burdah

Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic

   On Warnings About The Caprices Of The Self

This self of mine that drives me to error
Has turned a blind eye to grey hair and approaching old age.

It hasn�t even prepared a banquet of deeds for this unexpected guest
Who has set up permanent camp on my head.

Had I known, I wouldn�t have paid him any respect at all-
I would have camouflaged his secret with black eye.

Who can restrain my bolting soul from its selfish desires,
Like bridles that bring restive steeds under control?

Do not attempt to break its appetite through wanton indulgences-
Notice how food only strengthens a glutton�s craving.

The self is like an infant-if you leave it, it will grow up loving to suckle,
But if you wean it, soon it will lose its desires for the breast.

Divert the self�s desires and avoid empowering it-
Whenever desire takes charge, it either destroys or defiles.

Shepherd over it as it grazes freely in the field of actions, 
But should it find the pasturage sweet, restrain its casual roaming.

How often it has found some deadly pleasure delightful,
Not knowing that poison lies hidden in cream!

Be on guard against the traps of hunger and satiety-
An empty stomach can be worse than a full one.

Empty out every last tear from an eye that has gorged
On forbidden deserts, and cling to a diet of remorse.

Contract the infantile self and satan, and disobey them-
If either of them offers you sincere advice, be suspicious.

Submit to neither, whether they come as adversary or arbiter-
By now you should know the intrigues of both adversary and arbiter!

I seek God�s forgiveness for words without deeds � empty talk holds no promise,
Like expecting children to spring from a man who is sterile.

I counsel you to good, but all the while ignore it myself,
I haven�t been upright, so how dare I tell you, �Be upright!�

Nor have I prepared for my death by increasing my devotions,
Neither praying nor fasting beyond what is normally required. 

Author	Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic
Murabit Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 20 March 2004 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 369	Post Options Post Reply Quote Murabit Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 03 September 2005 at 8:11am
	On Warnings About The Caprices Of The Self This self of mine that drives me to error Has turned a blind eye to grey hair and approaching old age. It hasn�t even prepared a banquet of deeds for this unexpected guest Who has set up permanent camp on my head. Had I known, I wouldn�t have paid him any respect at all- I would have camouflaged his secret with black eye. Who can restrain my bolting soul from its selfish desires, Like bridles that bring restive steeds under control? Do not attempt to break its appetite through wanton indulgences- Notice how food only strengthens a glutton�s craving. The self is like an infant-if you leave it, it will grow up loving to suckle, But if you wean it, soon it will lose its desires for the breast. Divert the self�s desires and avoid empowering it- Whenever desire takes charge, it either destroys or defiles. Shepherd over it as it grazes freely in the field of actions, But should it find the pasturage sweet, restrain its casual roaming. How often it has found some deadly pleasure delightful, Not knowing that poison lies hidden in cream! Be on guard against the traps of hunger and satiety- An empty stomach can be worse than a full one. Empty out every last tear from an eye that has gorged On forbidden deserts, and cling to a diet of remorse. Contract the infantile self and satan, and disobey them- If either of them offers you sincere advice, be suspicious. Submit to neither, whether they come as adversary or arbiter- By now you should know the intrigues of both adversary and arbiter! I seek God�s forgiveness for words without deeds � empty talk holds no promise, Like expecting children to spring from a man who is sterile. I counsel you to good, but all the while ignore it myself, I haven�t been upright, so how dare I tell you, �Be upright!� Nor have I prepared for my death by increasing my devotions, Neither praying nor fasting beyond what is normally required.
	"I am a slave. I eat as a slave eats and I sit as a slave sits.", Beloved, sallallahu alyhi wa-sallam.

Murabit Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 20 March 2004 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 369	Post Options Post Reply Quote Murabit Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 03 September 2005 at 8:10am
	On Lyrical Love Yearning Is it from recollection of neighbours in the valley of Dhi Salami That you mix tears with blood as they flow from your eyes? Or perhaps sweet breezes blowing from Kadhima�s direction? Or bolts of lightning that flash in the depths of Mount Iddam? What�s wrong with your eyes? You say, �stop!� But that only increases their painful downpour; Or your heart? You say, �Wake up!� Bit it wanders even further astray in distraction! Does someone so fooled with love think it can be hid Behind such a downpour of tears or a heart�s raging fires? Without love�s passion you would never have wept so over the traces of your beloved�s camp Nor spent sleepless nights recalling the fragrance of a willow or the mountain your darling walked in. Nor would the mere memory of tents and those who dwelt there Have draped you in mourning clothes, weeping and wasting away. How can you deny such a love, when true tears And real heartbreak testify so strongly against you? The sorrow of love has etched two salty troughs down your face And branded gaunt marks on it as pallid as yellow and blood-red roses. How true! In the night a vision of the one I long for came and deprived me of sleep. But love is famous for impending pleasures with pain! O you who fault me for this vestal love, accept my excuse Yet it you judged fairly, you would find me blameless. May you never have to live like this! I can�t even keep it a secret From my critics, I am so feverish and lovesick! You have given me good advice, but I can�t hear it A lover�s ears are deaf to the outcries of love-critics. How can I listen? I don�t even trust the counsel of grey hairs, And everyone knows old age is guileless when it comes to good counsel!
	"I am a slave. I eat as a slave eats and I sit as a slave sits.", Beloved, sallallahu alyhi wa-sallam.

Murabit Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 20 March 2004 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 369	Post Options Post Reply Quote Murabit Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 03 September 2005 at 8:08am
	The Blessed Burdah Celestial Lights in Praise of The Best of Creation Known as The Poem of The Cloak Of the Noble Imam Abu Abdullah Muhammad Bin said al-Busiri Translated by Shaykh Hamza Yusuf
	"I am a slave. I eat as a slave eats and I sit as a slave sits.", Beloved, sallallahu alyhi wa-sallam.