Poem: I See You, Resistant to Tears
One of the most beautiful verses by Abu Firas Al-Hamdani:
You are resistant to tears; your characteristic is patience.
Is there any prohibition against love that you heed, or any command you follow?
Indeed, I long for you, and I am filled with passion,
But someone like me should not reveal their secrets.
When night envelops me, I extend my hand to passion,
And I humble my tears, for pride within me is the cause.
The fire within my breast nearly ignites,
Whenever longing and thought awaken it.
My excuse for connection is death without it,
If I die thirsty, then let not rain pour down.
I have preserved the affection between us,
And unlike the misfortunes of loyalty, you have a valid excuse.
These days are nothing but pages
Of a book penned by a human hand.
I am but one wandering in my neighborhood,
My love has a flaw, and her joy serves as my excuse.
She evades those who gossip about me, for I have,
An ear that is deaf to every slander.
I appeared before my family, for I saw
That a home where you are not present is desolate.
If what the gossipers say is true and not,
Then faith can demolish what disbelief has built.
I adhered to a form of loyalty that degrades,
For a woman in the neighborhood whose trait is treachery.
She is gentle and youthful but easily provoked,
And she sometimes whinnies like a restless horse.
She asks me, “Who are you?” though she knows,
Is there anything strange about a young man like me?
I said, “As she wishes, and as love allows,”
“Your victim,” she responded, “which of them?” There are many.
I told her, “If you wanted to, you wouldn’t make me doubt
Nor would you ask about me, as you already know.”
She said, “Time has overwhelmed you since we parted.”
I replied, “God forbid, it is you, not time.”
Poem: Let Me Pursue Wealth, For I
Said ‘Urwah ibn al-Wird:
Let me pursue wealth, for I have seen
That among people, the worst is the poor,
The one they distance and regard with disdain,
Even if he has noble lineage and goodness.
A rich man gains respect,
His heart may feel it is about to soar.
A little error in his conduct is overlooked,
But wealth has a forgiving Lord.
Poem: I Knew Love
Said Tahir Abu Fasha:
She knew love since she recognized your affection,
And I closed my heart to those who oppose you.
I began to confide in you, O who sees
The secrets of hearts, yet we cannot see you.
I love you with a double love: the love of passion,
And a love because you are worthy of it.
As for the first, let it occupy my thoughts
From anyone besides you.
As for the love you deserve,
You have lifted the veil until I behold you.
So, I hold no gratitude for myself, nor do I wish for it,
But gratitude is yours in both cases.
I yearn with two yearnings: a yearning for separation,
And a longing for the proximity of my beloved to your sanctuary.
As for the longing for distance,
It leads to the shedding of tears for your extended absence.
And as for my yearning for closeness to my beloved,
It is a fire of life, extinguished in your presence.
I do not complain of this sorrow,
For I am content with your divine guidance.
Poem: Sleep Has Departed from My Eyes
Sleep has departed from my eyes,
And I have dried my tears for your farewell.
My soul longs for the encounter, for it is,
Strengthened by faith during our reunion.
I once hoped for everlasting unity,
And today I am appeased with mere moments together.
I did not speak falsely when I claimed to love you;
Love is only love in the realm of the Compassionate.
Every deceitful love fades away,
And longing transforms into enmity.
But if love is for my Creator,
Then beneath the Throne, it shall converge.
Poem: O My Lord, If My Sins Are Great
Said Abu Nuwas:
O my Lord, if my sins are many,
I know Your forgiveness is greater still.
If only the righteous seek You,
Then who shall the sinful turn to for refuge?
I call upon You, my Lord, as You commanded, in humility,
And if You turn away my pleas, then who will show mercy?
I possess no means to plead but hope,
And the beauty of Your forgiveness, for I am a Muslim.