The Cycle of Creation: Morning and Evening
The cycle of creation brings the dawn and the dusk.
We are all mere puppets of the whims of time.
How many days have passed, laden with hardships,
Whether of laughter or sorrow among the masses?
The waves of desire surge uncontrollably,
For their captains, is there any harbor for ships?
If on some days you are gentle, you might be harsh,
And if you gaze with your eye, it may see it all.
Human beings on this earth are driven to despair,
When they are wounded, the beasts grow silent.
So do not be deceived by the might of their mountains,
Or the honor in this realm where power is transient.
They have tasted but a little pleasure before departing,
And ultimately prosperity may turn into hardship.
The Matter is Simpler than Your Thoughts Suggest
The situation is easier than you think.
So cast aside your burdens and ease what is difficult.
Do not be cheered by the hope that you share,
And do not let a raven’s caw disturb your peace.
If your earthly knowledge encounters news,
Imagine how they play in the face of truth.
What is your opinion of a kingdom that you serve,
When Egypt prefers toil over comfort?
Affairs of people do not stabilize across ages,
Nor does safety accompany either terror or security.
And no group stands for truth through time,
Since the time of Adam, they have been divided in desire.
I Find Myself in My Three Prison Cells
I find myself confined in three prisons,
So do not inquire about the depressing news.
This is due to my blindness and my seclusion,
Enclosed within this wretched body.
Who Can I Find to Stay in a Place
Who can I find to reside in a land
Where I am remembered for matters I should not be?
They presume I embody ease, faith, and knowledge,
While between them and me there are barriers.
Every month feels to me but a single one,
With no sacred month to be respected.
I have acknowledged my ignorance yet claim understanding,
While people around me exhibit their absurdity.
The truth is that I and they are worthless,
Neither am I intelligent nor are they wise.
And the circumstances have constricted my very essence,
How can I expect to be contained by disgrace?
How vast is death, offering respite to the soul,
As turmoil diminishes and stillness pervades.
If a Sea Should Abate
If a sea recedes for a time,
It has often betrayed the pond.
The universe revolves with wisdom,
Undoubtedly, it has a Master.
If our Master bestows upon us what we desire,
Then our Master is indeed all-powerful.
Between Instinct and Guidance Lies Disarray
Between instinct and wisdom, there exists chaos,
While the adornments of knowledge are gathered.
And if happiness demands a great sacrifice,
Then it must be met with fiery trials.
As for your time with companions, it is lively,
Yet it longs for the barren wilderness.
I have dwelled in two voids: the wilderness of Ma’za,
And the food of the night that comes as emptiness.
And if our deeds weigh equally in their foulness,
Who among us is pious, and who is ungrateful?
People exist in a state of stay and endurance,
As if their days are merely journeys.
Fate has balanced between them, and death has not denied,
Its grip isn’t hindered by the elite nor the commoners.
And forgiveness is not an act of willfulness,
But rather, it is sought from our Forgiving Lord.
How many tears have been shed at night,
And their healing comes from fleeting moments.
A person is like a lion, forever in pursuit,
Yet they may falter while the swift prevail.
How often have I endured a harrowing night,
So when will dawn emerge and clarity reign?
A vessel seeks safety amidst ruinous waves,
Yet they were warned by the whispers of the skies.
The Heart is the Axis
The heart remains the axis around which all matters revolve,
In which everything is managed and orchestrated.
The moon reaches its fullness, and the dark phase is its end,
As the lunar cycles lead to their illuminations.
Stay true to yourself, even in times of hardship,
For a lion conceals its state until the moment is ripe.
Do you not see the she-camel of Saleh,
When evening came, unaware of the peril around her?
These figures are mere remnants from the earth,
If not for their awareness, they would be lost in shadows.
And all the more they shun even that which is small,
While you give and possess only what is of worth.
And let the world say of you and your servants,
Be cautious, for the servants belong to our Lord, and so do the dwellings.
O humanity, how often do gatherings fade,
Only to bring forth forthcomings from ruin?
Do you hope for a period of unwavering loyalty,
When indeed time, like its people, is treacherous?
You stand still, the revolving universe is in motion,
Your plans may succeed, yet destiny often mocks.