The Wisdom of Moses (A.S)

As the prophet establishes God’s decrees —

He repudiates Caesar’s law.

In his eyes the royal palace is like an old idol-temple —

His sense of honour makes him disobey the order of the other-than-God.

The imperfect becomes perfect through association with him —

He gives a new tumult to the age.

His message is that Allah is sufficient and all else is meaningless —

So that the man of truth does not fall into anybody’s snare.

His moisture imparts fire to the vine’s twig and —

His breath gives life to this handful of earth.

He is the meaning of Gabriel and the Quran —

And he is the custodian of God’s Law.

His wisdom is superior to artful reason —

His spirit gives birth to an Ummah.

He is a ruler disinterested in throne and crown —

Sans crown, sans army, sans tribute.

His look transforms autumn into spring, and —

Through him the dregs of every pitcher become stronger than the wine.

In his morning-lamentation lies life and —

The universe is renewed by the morning of his manifestation.

The sea and the earth are devastated by the intensity of his deluge, and —

In his eyes there is a message of revolution.

He teaches the lesson of “No fear upon them” —

He puts a true heart into the breast of man.

He teaches man determination, submission (to the will of God) and willing acquiescence —

And makes him radiant in the world like a lamp.

I do not know what magic he bestows, but —

He totally transforms the soul in the body.

In his companionship, a piece of clay becomes a pearl, and —

His wisdom gives abundance to the deficient.

He says to the downtrodden slave —

“Arise and break into pieces every ancient!”

O man of God! break the spell of this old world —

With these two words: “My Lord, the Most High”.

If you wish to attain Faqr, don’t complain of poverty —

Well-being depends on one’s attitude and not on rank and wealth.

Truthfulness, sincerity, submissiveness, ardour and sympathy; these are needed —

Not gold or silver, nor red and yellow coins.

O living man, avoid these kings and nobles —

Walk around your own self and not around the palaces.

You have fallen away from your true station —

You are falcon-born, forsake the vulture's imitation.

A bird in a garden grove —

Builds his nest to his own liking.

You who have a heaven-traversing imagination —

Should not think yourself inferior to a bird.

Rebuild these nine heavens and —

Refashion this world according to your own desire.

When he gets annihilated in God’s will —

The man of faith becomes God’ decree.

The four dimensions along with the blue heavens —

Are born out of his pure bosom.

Annihilate yourself in the will of God like your forefathers —

Bring out your pearl out of the oyster.

In the darkness of this world of stone and bricks —

Illumine your eyes with the light of your nature.

Unless you take your share of the majesty of God —

You cannot not enjoy Divine Beauty.

The dawn of love and ecstasy is majesty (qahiri) —

The culmination of love and ecstasy is beauty (dilbari).

The man of faith is a symbol of perfect existence —

He alone is real; all else is mere appearance.

If he gains ardour and zeal from “La ilaha” —

The Sun and Moon will revolve only at his bidding.