BEŞİNCİ BAB · ÜÇÜNCÜ FASIL · Birinci Madde
The First Treatise
Concerning the manners and observances by which a servant finds peace and communion with his Sustainer.
O esteemed one! It is known that those learned in propriety have said: Truly, your Master is not separate from you for even a moment—neither in peril nor in travel, in sleep nor in wakefulness, indeed including death—in every stage of life. He is your Sustainer and Creator. He disciplines and provides sustenance for you. Whenever you remember and reflect upon Him, He is with you; your friend and helper. As the Exalted One has said: “I am with those who remember Me.” And whenever grief overcomes you and your heart breaks due to a fault concerning Him, know that at that time He is your Master and your helper. As the Exalted One has said: "I am with those whose hearts are broken."
[Poem]
Even if there were a thousand snares beneath my feet,
With you, there would be no sorrow whatsoever!
If you truly knew the Exalted One as He should be known, you would make Him your Master and completely abandon the company of others. With every breath, by constantly observing (practicing *murakabah*) and scrutinizing your heart and limbs, you would attain certainty. You would know that the Exalted One observes your hidden states at every moment, is aware of your outward and inward condition, and knows the thoughts that enter your heart. You would witness that the Exalted One is present and observing—whether in a crowd, when alone, or when hesitant—always with you.
You would behold that no entity within the realms of dominion and the subtle realm remains still, and no moving entity separates from its place except by the knowledge of Allah, the Mighty (Jabbâr), who encompasses it. Thus, you would be like a humble servant standing in the presence of his Sustainer—proper and well-mannered both outwardly in appearance and inwardly in your inner state. You would pay heed to this: that the Exalted Sustainer never sees you acting against His commands, but always finds you acting according to them.
If you are unable to attain this state of peace and communion at all times, do not waste the time you could enjoy beseeching Him with supplication in solitude, night and day; for such a time is necessary so that you may know the manners of the Sustainer’s discourse. You will find these manners in the following fifteen points:
1. Lowering your head and gazing forward.
2. Gathering your mind and abandoning other thoughts.
3. Remaining silent and still.
4. Keeping all parts of your body tranquil (and free from agitation).
5. Obeying what is commanded.
6. Avoiding that which is forbidden.
7. Not objecting or disputing.
8. Being constantly in a state of remembrance (*dhikr*).
9. Continuing to reflect upon the Sustainer.
10. Preferring the Exalted One above all things.
11. Abandoning hope in people.
12. Submitting with humility under awe.
13. Breaking your heart with shame and reverence.
14. Not constantly pursuing gain and profit, but trusting in the Sustainer’s guarantee.
15. Surrendering (to divine will) and following the path of acceptance (*rida*).
It is essential for you to observe these manners and observances at all times, night and day. Let them always be your distinguishing marks. For these are the manners of discourse with your Master, who does not abandon you even for the blink of an eye. While people, inevitably, will sometimes depart from you and leave you to their own affairs.
[Verses]
1. I have come from the land of my beloved,
What do I care for this transient abode?
I have inclined towards that realm,
What do I care for this world?
2. I came into the world to depart,
To attain wisdom and gentleness.
To witness the soul with love;
What do I care for that moment?
3. I have heard of the revolution of time,
I have placed the chaos and order.
I have perceived the land of safety,
What do I care for this prison of the soul?
4. I have cast aside all esteem,
I have joined in the ranks of lovers.
I have sold my self to my beloved;
What do I care for these enemies?
5. I have drunk the wine of love,
I have migrated to the garden of the heart.
I have transcended my existence;
What do I care for name and fame?
6. Love has made me a physician,
I have found remedy in affliction.
I have known the essence of wisdom,
What do I care for the Greeks (philosophers)?
7. I feel the breath of love,
I abandon wealth and possessions.
I am master of the hidden;
What do I care for current currency?
8. I have found the throne of surrender,
I have attained the dominion of contentment.
I have become a sultan in secret;
What do I care for worldly power?
9. Whatever comes is good,
For it is the gift of that friend.
Since all is His work,
What do I care for those who suspect ill?
10. I have remained with Him,
I have plunged into the ocean of shame.
I have attained perfection through knowledge of myself;
What do I care for doubt and falsehood?
11. Though time has aged my body with its revolutions,
My heart remains youthful with life.
I care nothing for old age and youthfulness.
12. I have departed from nourishing the body,
My soul has made a palace.
I have found worship within it;
What do I care for the stars?
13. My friend has seen me as worthy,
I have banished strangers from my heart.
I remain in solitude with communion;
What do I care for the communion of the soul?
14. A thousand translators exist from heart to heart,
What does this tongue speak?
Since the soul and the tongue are one language,
What do I care for speech and expression?
15. I am independent of all people through Allah;
I am free from them.
When the Creator of the worlds exists,
What do I care for the people of time?
9—Whatever befalls me is beautiful, for it is a gift from the Beloved. Since all things are His doing, what do I do with suspicions?
10—I have become, and remained with Him; I have plunged into the sea of life. I have known myself and taken delight; what do I do with illusion and anxiety?
11—Though time turns its cycle and my body ages with the desire for renown, my heart remains young, with the soul. What do I do with youth and old age?
12—I have distanced myself from nourishing the flesh; I have built a palace of the heart. I have found my guiding sun within it; what do I do with the stars?
13—My Friend suffices for me; I have banished strangers from my heart. I have become secluded through His friendship, with the soul; what do I do with friendship itself?
14—When a thousand interpreters exist from heart to heart, what does this tongue speak? Since the spirit comes with sincerity, what do I do with speaking and explaining?
15—By God! Now I am independent of all people. While the Creator of the world exists, what do I do with His creation?