BEŞİNCİ BÂB · DÖRDÜNCÜ FASIL · İkinci Madde
Okay, here's the translation of the provided text, aiming for faithfulness and preservation of meaning within a classical Islamic/Sufi context:
**Second Point**
Concerning the Reality of Death.
O esteemed one! Know that the wise (Sufis) have said: The states of humankind before death are among those belonging to the world, fleeting and transient. Their states after death belong to the Hereafter, eternal and abiding.
The purpose of coming into existence is for the human being to attain everlasting dominion, perpetual bliss. To realize the perfection of character and witness the Beauty of the Divine—and to achieve bliss through this state—is granted only to those in whom the eye of the heart (insight) is open. And the eye of insight is opened only by contemplating the world with wonder and remembering (through reflection and remembrance – *tafakkur* and *tazakkur*) the art and wisdom of the Most High Creator in all things.
To view the world with an instructive gaze and to comprehend the Divine artistry and wisdom is possible only through both material and spiritual senses. Thus, these ten senses are the gateways to the knowledge (*marifa*) of the Creator of the universe (*Hallak-i ‘alem*). The place of these ten senses is within the human body. The Most High has created the human body from four opposing natures for this very reason: so that those possessing understanding may know that the body is transient and prepare for the eternal life of the Hereafter. They should remember that it is necessary to leave the body and settle in the abode of repose (*dar-i karar*).
To liberate oneself from the impurity of the body and find tranquility and communion—for every state and quality of the body, all its feelings and the powers of the animal soul, will be utterly annihilated—but the true essence of humankind, the human soul – which is called the heart – is a Divine command (*amr rabbani*), a station of knowing God. That soul is eternal, it never ceases to exist; it is everlasting. It is that abiding soul that separates from this transient body (one day) – and that separation is what is called death.
Thus, if the animal soul overcomes the heart, dominating and prevailing over it, then that person has succumbed to his own self (*nafs*). He fears and flees from death, for the animal soul belongs to the world of multiplicity, and loves and desires its origin. Therefore, a *nafs*-driven individual yearns for worldly life, desiring and gathering wealth and possessions. But if the human soul gains strength and prevails over the animal soul, dominating and overcoming it, then that person becomes a perfect (spiritual – *ruhani*) human being who loves and desires death with all his heart and soul. The human soul belongs to the world of the subtle realm (*melekut*), and inclines towards and yearns for its true homeland. Therefore, the spiritual, perfected one loves and desires everlasting life; he turns toward the eternal dominion and bliss of the universe, turning away from this world of separation and estrangement, approaching the world of nearness and union through the path of death—becoming closest to the Most Near through love of that which brings about closeness. As a perfect being once said:
**Quatrain (Rubai)**
The perfecting of the self became my vocation
Nothing but the wine of love is in my vocation
My soul’s abiding has become illuminated for me
No longer do I have anxiety concerning death.
**(Translation of the Rubai)**
The perfecting of the self became my profession, nothing other than the wine of love is my profession. Now that the abiding of the soul has been made clear to me, no worry remains regarding death.
Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “Long life is torment for souls. Death is ease and comfort.” A person told a knower of God; "I saw in a dream that only one year remained of your lifespan." That perfect being wept bitterly at this saying. When asked, "O my guide, how can you weep when you have no regard for the world's life?" he replied: “O son, I used to sleep with the desire and intention of death every night. If this dream is true, I fear that I will have to wait for this oven (the body) for another year. I weep for it. When there are gardens of the Divine Realm, how can one endure the oven of the physical form?”
1-O soul-bird! Do not remain imprisoned in the cage of the body. Do not grasp at that which is transient, but seek that which abides within yourself.
2-O melodious bird! You abandoned that flourishing garden. You remained wandering, forgotten, in this desolate place.
3-You forgot that garden and made your home in this wasteland. You swallowed much dust and smoke; now come forth and taste the life of that garden.
4-Break open this cage of a body and fly away from this rubbish heap. Thus, attain to the garden of love and become intoxicated with yourself, within the body.
5-Your kindred spirits understood your secret. That is why they have gone and settled in flourishing gardens and good abodes.
6-O bird of the heavens! Abandon this earthly form. So that you may taste delight in those meadows.
7-This is a world of conflict; every place is a source of fear. Go to that land of peace, and find tranquility in that secure abode.
😯 absolute being! It is within your power to break free from your body. Then open the window of your heart and behold!
9-O Divine One! Abandon these illusory forms and discover the realm of spirits. Taste this path and become eternal in that dwelling.
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