DÖRDÜNCÜ BÂB · DÖRDÜNCÜ FASIL · İkinci Madde
Second Article
It describes the attire, customs, and heart-travels of blessed saints.
Beloved! It is known that the friends of Allah have said: Some people are of this world, some are of the Hereafter, and some are of the realm of meaning.
In this case, the blessings of the Hereafter are forbidden to those of the world, for they cannot attain them. The blessings of the world are forbidden to those of the Hereafter, for they do not deign to accept them.
As for those of the realm of meaning, both of these are forbidden to them; they have no inclination or regard for either.
All people of the world remain trapped in the darkness of their natures. The darkness of human attributes has overcome them. Therefore, a lack of hope and unwillingness regarding seeking that which pertains to the lofty realms is evident within them. Their every desire and longing [301/a] is directed only towards this lowly world. Their minds and efforts are fixated on worldly pleasures. Yet the world is like carrion thrown upon a slaughterhouse. Thus, the endeavors of those whose aspiration is in the world have proven fruitless, and their actions are wasted. It has become customary for them to suffer two severe torments: one being separated from [what they dearly love], this state, and the other being burned by the torment of Hellfire in the Hereafter.
Poem
1. This soul, humble within this earthly body,
If it journeys into the inner realm, becomes a Sultan of the world.
2. Should it flee from earth, it becomes a prisoner of earth;
That aerial spirit, departing the body, becomes a bird soaring on the arch of heaven.
3. The heart that follows desire and whims becomes Hell;
If the breath of love fills the soul and heart, it becomes Paradise.
4. The servant of love is free from fear and anxiety;
The lover always dwells in a place of safety.
5. Eternal prosperity and permanence lie in poverty and annihilation;
For those seeking prosperity in existence, there is much loss.
6. Existence itself is a calamity—sorrow and grief are its essence;
If the lover vanishes through love, he becomes fortunate and blissful.
7. Even if the body grows old and weak, what does it matter?
Through love, that one always remains youthful.
The people of the Hereafter are constantly inclined towards spiritual degrees, and their desires remain in Paradise. For the Exalted has invited His servants from this world to Paradise and made it a place of grace and forgiveness.
Thus, the hearts of this group have been occupied with lofty and honorable deeds, but they have remained distant from even more lofty and honorable things. Although they ultimately escape the burning fire of Hell, in reality, they all burn in the fire of separation. Indeed, for those devoted to love, the fire of separation is more intense and difficult than the fire of Hell. As it is said: “Waiting with longing is more severe than fire.”
Verse
You have burned, awaiting tomorrow’s promise;
What need is there for waiting when the beloved's meeting can be taken now?
Most of the people of the Hereafter fall into the claim of selfhood as a consequence of humanity; they are captivated by pride, arrogance, and hypocrisy. They remain in the distress and affliction of the self-deceiving soul.
Poem
1. That soul which has been deprived through separation from a friend,
That faithful friend has departed from it.
2. It was a precious jewel, valuable from the beginning;
Now, having come to earth and clay, it is worthless.
3. Having been close to the Lord’s presence and court, that one
Has fallen into the trap of pride and hypocrisy as a beggar.
4. Bound by this natural cross, imprisoned in six directions,
It has become afflicted with suffering.
5. What would he who knew it from eternity say if he found it in this state?
In this exile, far from home, it is consumed by longing.
6. Like a parrot confined with a crow that does not conform to its kind,
It is afflicted with the qualities of the animal soul.
7. That inner sun, beholding the Lord within itself;
Like a scattered particle, filled with light.
As for the condition of those of the realm of meaning: they have escaped the confinement of the world of nature and flown free from the abode called the world of humanity. No trace of their forms remains in them; they have completely transcended the world of existence. They have abandoned all people and come to the presence of God, becoming worthy of friendship with Allah by preferring Him over those who give their desires to both worlds. They have forgotten Paradise and Hell and serve only for His sake. For they know that with Him, both worlds are Paradise, and without Him, every place is Hell. Thus, they desire only Him and consider Him the head of all blessings. They have constantly passed beyond themselves through the intoxication of His knowledge. Their entire being has been filled with His pure love and remains with Him alone.
The blessings promised to be given later to the common people have been granted to them immediately.
Here is the translation of the provided text, aiming for faithfulness and preservation of meaning within a classical Islamic/Sufi context:
The heart draws fragrance from Him;
Two worlds are then unseen.
Were it to behold his face with the soul,
Neither body nor spirit would appear.
If the beloved were a cupbearer in the heart,
The heart becomes a rose garden.
When it is within the gardens of the Compassionate,
Nothing but dust appears [from one’s efforts].
He who has shattered the kingdom of the self,
Has constricted the throat of desire,
And ascended to the throne of the soul—
No staircase is visible to him.
The cloud of your speech intoxicates the soul;
This tongue is like a barren channel.
The heart is for those devoted to the ocean [of Divine knowledge];
Sorrow and barrenness are unseen by them.
Journey forth from this tablet of the heart,
And learn the sciences of love.
If wisdom were to fill the heart from him,
Pen and tongue would disappear.
Man’s mouth is a bow;
His words are arrows swiftly released.
He who shoots them is the soul of your soul—
The work of the bow remains unseen.
The gaze of God is sought with the eye;
One who finds Him in the heart perceives God.
Protect this world and its people,
For this eternity is unseen.