Security or Fulfillment: The Silent Gaze of Dima
I have grown weary of life’s burdens; those who live
for eighty years have no fatherly figure to weary them.
I witnessed death striking randomly; whoever it hits
is taken, while those it spares grow old in time.
And I am aware of the knowledge of today and yesterday before it,
yet I remain ignorant of what tomorrow holds.
Whoever does not conform in many matters
will be caught by sharp teeth and trampled beneath their weight.
Whoever possesses virtue yet is stingy with it
will find themselves disregarded and criticized by their community.
Whoever offers goodwill without regard for their honor
will only be met with scorn, and whoever does not protect themselves from slander will find themselves a target.
Whoever does not safeguard their own limits
will be undermined, and those who confront others must be prepared.
Whoever fears the means of demise will inevitably encounter it,
even if they ascend to the heavens by a ladder.
And those who disregard the edges of glass will find themselves cut,
as the high and mighty commands all that is gathered.
Whoever fulfills their promises will not be criticized, and whoever admires righteousness
will not falter in their trust.
And whoever wanders believes their friend is an enemy,
and whoever does not honor themselves will remain unhonored.
No matter what qualities one possesses,
even if hidden from the eyes of others, they will be known.
And whoever bears the weight of others upon themselves
will find no relief throughout time.
The Soul Weeps for the World Despite Knowing
The soul weeps for the world, aware
that safety lies in leaving its trappings behind.
There is no home for a person after death
except for the one they built before their demise.
If constructed with goodness, it will be a pleasing abode;
if built with evil, the builder is left disappointed.
Where are the kings who once held dominion
until the cup of death was poured for them?
We gather our wealth for those who inherit it
while our homes crumble to the decay of time.
How many cities once built across the horizons
have now become ruins as death draws near?
For every soul, even in trepidation,
there lies hope that strengthens them against demise.
People may expand their ambitions while time constricts them,
and the soul may spread its wings as death closes in.
Verses by Al-Shafi’i
In his poem (Let Days Do as They Wish), Al-Shafi’i states:
Let days act as they wish,
And take heart when the decree is set.
Do not despair over the trials of life,
For the events of this world do not endure.
Be a man, steadfast in the face of calamities,
With a nature marked by generosity and loyalty.
And even if your faults are many,
Let it be known you wish to conceal them.
Conceal your shortcomings with generosity, for every flaw
is camouflaged as was said of generosity.
Never show subservience to your enemies,
For their glee at your misfortunes is a trial.
Do not expect kindness from the miser,
For there is no water in the fire for the thirsty.
Your provisions will not diminish with patience,
Nor will toil increase your sustenance.
There is neither enduring sorrow nor unending joy,
Neither misfortune nor comfort.
And whoever meets death upon their doorstep,
No land will shield them, nor heaven protect.
God’s earth is vast, yet
when fate arrives, all space becomes constricted.
Let the days betray every moment,
For no remedy can avert death.
In another poem (If One Does Not Care for You Except Out of Obligation), he states:
If one does not value you except due to obligation,
Then leave them be, do not grieve excessively.
For among people, there are substitutes, and in leaving behind, there is ease,
And the heart holds patience for a beloved, even if they part.
Not everyone you cherish will reciprocate your affection,
Nor will everyone with whom you establish peace remain constant.
If the purity of friendship is not innate,
Then there is no merit in a bond born of obligation.
There is no virtue in a friend who betrays their companion,
Only to later face them with indifference.
They may deny a life that has long since passed,
And reveal a secret that was once concealed.
Peace be upon the world, if it holds not
A faithful friend, true to their word, and just in dealings.
The Best Days for a Young Man Are the Days of Benefit
The best days for a youth are those that benefit,
And the practice of good deeds ensures lasting value.
One’s character, reflective of their good nature,
Is a mediator that advocates for them.
Good can never be gained through evil, nor
will a sower reap anything but what they have sown.
Not every day is uniform;
Sometimes a young man feels constricted, only to find ease later.
Take from this world what it offers you,
And inquire not about what has faded away.
Indeed, this world is a fleeting commodity;
So take your share and let go of the rest.
Be content with others’ satisfaction,
And follow the truth—it is a noble pursuit.
Seek independence from the needs of others,
For those who rely on people find themselves humbled.
Witness the gathering; even if it arrives,
On the judgment day, what was amassed provides no shelter.
For virtue leaves a mark among us,
And God has imprinted it upon our hearts.
We have scrutinized the character of people,
And observed that they follow the wealthy.
The beloved of the people is the one who can provide,
For humanity is driven by desire.
Thank God for His guidance,
For He determines sustenance, dispensing as He wills.
My soul becomes steadfast, knowing the truth,
Yet remains shaken when faced with scarcity.
My soul experiences moments of forgetfulness,
Stirred by circumstances from time to time.
How curious it is for the assured and secure
To be nourished by various fears.
It is astounding how people overlook
The impending reality of death amidst what is to come.
How remarkable that we encounter a setting
Where all engage with both joy and sorrow.
O my brother, the one I escorted to the grave,
May the earth be piled upon you as I turn to depart.
I wonder what provision you have gathered for
The terror of that first moment underground,
The day when your loved ones lead you
Into the darkness of the grave and the confines of the resting place.