A Gift for Baghdad — Page 43
Reply to the Announcement & Letter 43 At all times, my Beloved exalts me, draws me close, and grants my desire. How can I be aggrieved by the curses of imprecators, When my truth will soon be proclaimed throughout the world? We have drunk a goblet in the ravines, And another we shall drink in the high plateau. I fear not my death nor my murder, Since my death would have been expended in the course of Jihad. We have cherished the Beloved over life itself; And we stand ready for martyrdom with open arms. What is to be lamented in a pious death? The loss is in taking the road to perdition. Indeed, I came out into the sun, And a fountain of light sprang forth from my heart. By the grace of Allah, verily, the Beloved is with us; He does not cause my goods to be unsaleable. He gently draws me close to His Presence, And makes me drink the wine of Unity.