Dhun-Nun al- Misri: The haunt of the hearts of the gnostics is a mead
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Photo: Shaykh Aḥmadu Bàmba Mbàkke
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The haunt of the hearts of the gnostics is a mead
Celestial -- beyond it are the veils of the Lord.
His nearness their sole boundary from the world of the Secret --
Melt they would with love if their moment had come.
For their thirst is a cup purely filled from His love,
And the cool of a breeze beyond words to describe.
Hearts near the Throne-Lord -- they had sought to be near --
With what blessings the King in their nearness hath graced them!
Pleased with them, He hath pleased them unto ultimate pleasure:
The Beloved's welcome is the abode wherein they dwell,
Most penetrant their resolve; by it they have travelled,
By it their thoughts pierce to what is hidden by the Veils.
Their secret ever goeth between the Beloved and themselves,
From other than nearness by nearness made safe.
(Dhun-Nun al- Misri)
Celestial -- beyond it are the veils of the Lord.
His nearness their sole boundary from the world of the Secret --
Melt they would with love if their moment had come.
For their thirst is a cup purely filled from His love,
And the cool of a breeze beyond words to describe.
Hearts near the Throne-Lord -- they had sought to be near --
With what blessings the King in their nearness hath graced them!
Pleased with them, He hath pleased them unto ultimate pleasure:
The Beloved's welcome is the abode wherein they dwell,
Most penetrant their resolve; by it they have travelled,
By it their thoughts pierce to what is hidden by the Veils.
Their secret ever goeth between the Beloved and themselves,
From other than nearness by nearness made safe.
(Dhun-Nun al- Misri)
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Quote Source and Recommended Reading:
'Sufi Poems: A Mediaeval Anthology: A Medieval Anthology'
By Martin Lings (Author)
Purchase Book:
Amazon.com
Amazon.co.uk
Description:
'Sufi Poems' is a selection of poems from the golden period of Sufism especially chosen and translated from the Arabic by the distinguished scholar Dr Martin Lings. Dr Lings is the author of numerous best-selling works on Sufism and is a published poet in his own right. Including poems here translated for the first time, 'Sufi Poems' brings together selections from the giants of Sufism; for example, Rabia, Hallaj, Ibn al-Farid and Ibn 'Arabi. 'Sufi Poems' is published as a bilingual Arabic-English edition which will be of interest to all those wishing to read the original Arabic and will also be helpful for university students of Arabic.
"Extremely well-chosen and exquisitely translated, this anthology of Arabic Sufi Poetry is the best available in the English language, revealing precious treasures of Sufism rendered by the translator in a masterly fashion into beautiful English poems which resonate with spiritual qualities of the original Arabic verses."
(Seyyed Hossein Nasr, George Washington University)
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