BİRİNCİ FEN · ÜÇÜNCÜ BÂB · DOKUZUNCU FASIL · Dokuzuncu Madde
Nine Articles
Regarding the new astronomy, it explains the natures (characters) and numbers of the heavens:
Know, esteemed one, that philosophers have disputed regarding the substances of the spheres (celestial bodies), namely, in their celestial mechanics (astronomy). Those who adhere to the view of ancient astronomy say, as explained above, that the substances of the ethereal celestial bodies and solid bodies are composed of volume, solidity, purity, and transparency; there is no increase, decrease, condensation, rarefaction, division, or combination in any way within the spheres, nor is there any violence or weakness in their movements, nor do they deviate from their orbits.
Those who adopt the new view have removed the characteristic of volume and solidity attributed to the bodies in the heavens, saying that the natures of the spheres are like those of water and soft temperaments, accepting division and integration. According to these adherents of the new view, the number of the heavens is accepted as three:
The first heaven consists of all stars and elements and is the assembly (hierarchy) described above. The second sky is the sphere of fixed stars that we see and observe. The third heaven; although the distance of the thickness of the sphere of fixed stars is vast, beyond it lies a great and sublime, boundless and infinite sphere surrounding the aforementioned sphere, which has been verified through certainty and knowledge, and this heaven is appointed as a place of rest for blessed souls.
It has been observed that the rules and precepts of new astronomy are in harmony with those of ancient astronomy and have been adopted by later scholars from five hundred years ago until now.
Our intention, however, is to write and explain this much knowledge merely to be a mirror to the human realm (body) which has been placed as a means of knowing the Creator, and to complete this section by also incorporating sixteen couplets from our *Book of Felicity* in order that it may cause reflection and purification through contemplation of the beauties in God’s creation.
Following this, it is deemed appropriate to draw figures that will illuminate understanding of the subject.
Quatrains
1-You created, O God, this wondrous place;
The spheres, elements, sun, and moon's grace.
"Then did His countenance turn unto them," You said,
O Divine One, "Show things as they are." [101/a]
2-Spheres, elements, and birthdates, O heart,
Bodies, natures, forms—know all of these impart.
For the encompassing Sage's art is whole,
So contemplate the cosmos with a pleasing soul.
3-Stars revolve with spheres each moment anew,
Influencing mixtures, an eternal view.
Though four opposing natures may combine as one,
From mineral to plant, and animal, human born.
4-The Truth revealed this world in wisdom's book,
Spheres and elements—letters of God’s look.
Compositions, births, and words of majesty,
Understand the Lord’s words with much propriety.
5-From the Lord’s words, grasp the meaning true,
No letter-bound gaze or quarrel ensue.
Blessed is he who understands all things clear,
Remembering his Lord with every sight and ear.
6-O Truth! Let go of worldly desire's plea,
Release yourself to the ocean, wild and free.
Behold these words of God—the things you see—
Understand them deeply, lost in their mystery.
7-One sea neither diminishes nor grows,
Waves come and go, to that sea they flow.
The world is like those waves, a fleeting show,
Two moments pass, and nothing remains below.
😯 Truth! For God’s sake, give the world away,
Forget the near, if you seek the higher way.
Don't weary yourself with waves; find the sea,
Understand not other than the Lord, eternally.
9-O Truth! Seek it—this transient world of pain,
Find life eternal in death’s sweet refrain.
"Die before you die," this wisdom attain,
Before the world abandons you, turn to Him again.
10-Ah, if I could bind my tongue with silence deep,
If intellect could read the world's script to keep!
If the tongue could speak what secrets lie asleep,
If the soul could find its soul—ah, lost and steep!
11-Ah, if I could bind my tongue with quiet still,
If the tongue could tell what hidden truths fulfill!
If the soul could see the world’s profound skill,
Love would find it then—ah, lost at will!
12-I knew two worlds, and felt a joyful pride,
Left behind their laws, cast them far aside.
When I found unity of being's tide,
Then in observing order, joy did reside.
13-Always one existence, with gladness bright,
Unknowing in the ranks of order’s light.
When I saw what I knew, I marveled then,
Obedient to command at every degree again.
14-With unity of being as my guide,
Lost in the ranks where order did preside.
When I tasted the bliss of perception's tide,
"By God’s grace," I felt with joy inside.
15-I deem myself a righteous one, true and bold,
Filled with certainty, a truth to be told.
At every rank, if another rule should hold,
Then heretic am I—a story untold.
16-In the unity of the world, God’s manifestation lies,
That city is paradise; this secret veiled from eyes.
He who speaks of the world's mysteries is a fool,
The one who protects it is the absolute sovereign rule. [101/b]
Listen carefully and understand well; penetrate the meaning.
7-It is an ocean, never diminishing, never increasing in essence! Waves come and go; for it is eternally bound. This world is like those surging waves, for example. It changes every moment; it can never be the same at two different times.
8-The Truth! For the sake of Truth, give the world to whom it belongs. Forget the lowly ones if you love your Lord. Do not weary yourself with mere waves; find the ocean. Disregard all else; know your Lord.
9-The Truth! Desire only Him, knowing this transient world as fleeting. Find true life through an intentional death of the self, that soul. Recognize the command: “Die before you die.” Abandon it before it abandons you.
10-Ah! If I could bind my tongue with fasting! If reason could read the book of the world; if I knew! If the heart could grasp those mysterious meanings, if! My soul could find the life of lives, oh, oh!
11-Ah! If I could bind my tongue with silence! If the heart were to speak and I were to listen; if only I could hear that hidden melody! If my soul could see those mysteries; the meaning of the world, if! Burning with love and finding Him, oh, oh!
12-I mistook two worlds for one and became proud. Here, establishing ranks, I distanced myself. Only through experience did I find unity of being. It is here, preserving these ranks, that I found happiness.
13-Knowing all existence as a single consciousness, I rejoiced. In this station, among the ranks, I was ignorant. For as I see what I know, I am astonished. In every rank, I obeyed the command.
14-Through unity of being, I entered the path. Among the ranks, here I strayed. Reaching the taste of witnessing, I became aware. In every rank, I found pleasure with God.
15-I believe I have attained certainty and truthfulness; therefore, I am right. Truly filled with unity of being, within and without. For in every rank, the body leads to a different judgment. If I were to remain at the same level here, I would become heretical.
16-Know that the unity of the world is God’s dominion. That King is transcendent; His mysteries are veiled. It is foolishness for one who has attained the mysteries of the world to speak of them. The Protector is the Absolute Sovereign.
[Notes regarding geographical descriptions – omitted for brevity, as they do not pertain to the core Sufi message]
Oh God! You created this wondrous spectacle for us: the heavens, the four elements, the sun, the moon. “Wherever you turn, there is the direction of prayer.” O Lord, "Show us things as they truly are," Divine One!
This sentence in the manuscript is erroneous.
[101/b]