The Light of Truth — Page 139
A QAŞĪDAH ON FAITH & THE WORLD At one moment you see a man with his many comforts, And at the next you see him lying in his coffin. I am a trustworthy friend who counsels you; Whoever looks upon me shall ascertain the light of my knowledge. The ignorant one is honoured before he is afflicted, And the learned one is honoured after he is tried. An enemy of truth, out of foolishness, called me a kāfir; So I said to him, Be gone! The One who guided me watches over me. The sharp swords of the enemy are drawn against me, While I look towards the face of my Beloved. I have reached the gardens of my Beloved, While the enemy pursues me in the halls of judgement. I obsessed over my Beloved so much so that He became the very essence of my spirit, And disclosed to me my paradise within my own heart. 139