A Contented Eye Sees No Flaws
A satisfied eye finds no faults,
But a critical eye reveals the issues.
I am not dismayed by those who lack respect for me,
Nor do I perceive in another what they do not see in themselves.
If you draw close to me, you draw near my affection,
And if you distance yourself, I shall remain far from you.
Each of us is independent of the other in life,
And when we pass, we are equally vocal in our sorrow.
Let Time Do As It Wills
Let time do whatever it wishes,
And be at peace when fate decrees.
Do not despair at the trials of life,
For the events of this world do not last.
Be steadfast in the face of challenges,
With generosity and loyalty as your traits.
Even if there are many flaws in your character,
And do not wish for them to be concealed,
Cover every fault with the cloak of generosity,
As it is said, generosity shields all faults.
Do not ever show weakness to adversaries,
For the glee of enemies can be a burden.
Do not expect kindness from a miser,
For there is no water for the thirsty in the flames.
Your sustenance is not reduced by patience,
Nor is affliction a pathway to abundance.
No sorrow lasts eternally, nor does joy,
Neither despair nor prosperity is solely yours.
He who faces death directly,
Finds neither refuge in the land nor in the sky.
The earth of God is vast, yet,
When fate approaches, even the skies seem small.
Let the days deceive as they will,
For no remedy can fend off death.
If a Person Only Considers You With Pretense
If a person regards you only with pretense,
Then let them be; do not waste your sorrow upon them.
For among people, there are alternatives, and in letting go, there is peace,
And the heart can endure love even when neglected.
Not everyone you desire loves you back,
Nor is every friend heartfelt and sincere.
If the purity of affection is not innate,
Then there is no value in a friendship that arises from necessity.
There is no good in a companion who betrays their friend,
Only to greet them later with indifference.
They will dismiss past companionship,
And reveal secrets that were once concealed.
Peace be upon the world where there are no
Honest friends who keep their promises and act justly.
If a Person Reveals Their Secrets With Words
If a person divulges their secrets with their tongue,
And then condemns others, they are indeed foolish.
If a person’s heart is confined by their own secrets,
Then the heart that holds their trust is even more constrained.
The Flames of My Soul Have Died Down
The flames of my soul have extinguished with the departure of parting,
And my night darkens with its own brightness.
O owl perched upon my head,
Despite my misgivings, when your raven flew away.
I witnessed the destruction of life as you visited me,
And your dwelling is beyond all realms of ruin.
Can I rejoice in life after my misfortunes?
The arrival of gray hairs offers no remedy for fading youth.
For the dignity of a person precedes their old age,
Yet life has consumed those who have left their youth behind.
If the complexion of a person fades and the hair turns white,
The sweetness of their days is marred.
So turn away from the burdens of life, for they are
Forbidden for the righteous to engage in.
Offer respect where it’s due, knowing it is akin to
The charity of wealth; its entitlement must be met.
Act kindly towards the noble, and you will possess their worth,
As the most valuable trade of dignified individuals is to obtain it.
Do not walk arrogantly upon the earth,
For soon enough you will be covered by its dust.
And whoever has tasted this world will find,
That its sweetness and suffering are firmly intertwined.
I have found only deception and worthlessness,
As a mirage appears upon a barren plain.
It is but a foul carcass,
With dogs that seek to devour its remnants.
If you keep your distance, you will find peace from its grasp,
But if you approach it, the dogs will contend with you.
Blessed is the person who stays within the confines of their own home,
With doors closed and veils drawn tight.
Guarding the Tongue
Guard your tongue, O human,
Do not let it sting you; indeed, it is a serpent.
How many a grave holds the victim of a loose tongue,
Whom even peers feared to confront.
Contentment
I have recognized that contentment is the essence of wealth,
So I have clung firmly to its trailing ends.
Neither of my neighbors sees me lingering at their door,
Nor do I burden myself in their midst.
Thus, I have become wealthy without a coin,
Wandering among people as if I were a monarch.
Addressing the Foolish
The foolish one speaks to me with contempt,
So I refrain from responding.
As they increase in folly, I become more patient,
Like incense that is enhanced when burnt.
These are excerpts from some of his most beautiful poetry; compiling the verses and sayings of Al-Shafi’i would indeed require extensive volumes.