أَلا لَيْتَ شِعْرِى هَلْ يَرَى النَّاسُ مَاأَرَى
مِنَ الْحَقِّ أَوْ يَبْدُوا لَهُمْ مَا بَدَالِيَا
Alā layta shi‘rī hal yaran nāsu mā arā; minal ḥaqqi aw yabdū lahum mā badāliyā
Be steadfast!1 I trust my conscience (and ask) could men bear witness or see what I see of the truth?2 Unless they witness or see what I have witnessed or seen3.
Be steadfast!1 I trust my conscience (and ask) could men bear witness or see what I see of the truth?2 Unless they witness or see what I have witnessed or seen3.
بَدَالِيَ أَنَّ الله حَقٌّ فَزَادَنِى
إِلَى الْحَقِّ تَقْوَى الله مَا كَانَ بَادِيَا
Badāliya annallāha ḥaqqun fazādanī; ilal ḥaqqi taqwāllāhi mā kāna bādiyā
I experienced and received the manifestation of the Ultimate Reality (Allah). And that manifestation elevated my consciousness4 of the Divine Reality (Allah).
I experienced and received the manifestation of the Ultimate Reality (Allah). And that manifestation elevated my consciousness4 of the Divine Reality (Allah).
بَدَالِيَ أَنَّ الشَّيْخَ غَيْثٌ لِذَى الْوَرَى
وَرَمْزُ الْوُجُودِ بَلْ هُوَ الْحَقُّ بَانِيَا
Badāliya annash shaykha ghayṡun lidzāl warā; wa ramzul wujūdi bal huwal ḥaqqu bāniyā
I experienced and received the manifestation that Sheikh5 is a succour6 to mankind. And the symbol of existence7. By extension, he is the truth who established8.
I experienced and received the manifestation that Sheikh5 is a succour6 to mankind. And the symbol of existence7. By extension, he is the truth who established8.
ذُرَى الْمَجْدِ واْلإِحْسَانِ وَالرُّشْدِ وَالتُّقَى
بَنَاهَا وَكَانَ الْحَقُّ حَقًا وَثَاوِيَا
Dzural majdi wal iḥsāni war rushdi wat tuqā; banāhā wa kānal ḥaqqu ḥaqqan wa ṡāwiyā
He established9 the apex of nobility, spiritual excellence, guidance and piety. He established them, and the knowledge of the divine reality became apparent and firmly rooted10.
He established9 the apex of nobility, spiritual excellence, guidance and piety. He established them, and the knowledge of the divine reality became apparent and firmly rooted10.
أَبُو الْمَجْدِ وَالْإِكْرَامِ بَرْهَامَ كَوْلَخَ
حَبِيبِى حَبِيبِى مَنْ إِلَى اللَّهِ دَانِيَا
Abul majdi wal ikrāmi barhāma kawlakh; ḥabībī ḥabībī man ilallāhi dāniyā
He is the leader of nobles and honourable men, Barhama Khaolakh11. My beloved12, who continuously draws closer to Allah13.
He is the leader of nobles and honourable men, Barhama Khaolakh11. My beloved12, who continuously draws closer to Allah13.
دَنَا َوجَنَى الْحَقَّ وَالشَّرْعَةَ أَلَّتِى
بَنَاهَا إِمَامُ الْمُتَّقِينَ جَنَائِيَا
Danā wa janāl ḥaqqa wash sharī‘ata allatī; banāhā imāmul muttaqīna janā’iyā
He attained closeness to Allah14 and gained both esoteric and exoteric knowledge. As established by the leader of the pious (ï·º), which he highly attained.
He attained closeness to Allah14 and gained both esoteric and exoteric knowledge. As established by the leader of the pious (ï·º), which he highly attained.
وَأَسْقَى الْوَرَى مِنْهَا بِكَأْسٍ رَوِيَّةٍ
بُعَيْدَ الْمَمَاتِ يَالَهَا مِنْ شَرَابِيَا
Wa asqal warā minhā bi-ka’sin rawiya; bu‘aydal mamāti yālahā min sharābiyā
He15 quenched the thirst of mankind based on that which he established16 from a divine vessel of gnostic knowledge.17 That caused them to experience minimal death18, how amazing is my drinking from that vessel.
He15 quenched the thirst of mankind based on that which he established16 from a divine vessel of gnostic knowledge.17 That caused them to experience minimal death18, how amazing is my drinking from that vessel.
فَمَا الْمَوْتُ إِلاَّ مَاعَلِمْتُمْ وَذُقْتُمُ
وَمَاهِيَ إِلاَّ الشِّرْكُ وَالْجَهْلُ نَائِيَا
Famal mawtu illā mā ‘alimtum wa dhuqtumū; wa mā hiya illash shirku wal jahlu nā’iyā
What is Death?19 Except that which you know and have tasted. It is but polytheism and ignorance (of the divine reality) which distances a person20.
What is Death?19 Except that which you know and have tasted. It is but polytheism and ignorance (of the divine reality) which distances a person20.
عَنِ الْحَقِّ وَالْعِرْفَانِ وَالْقُرْبِ وَالْهُدَى
مُذِلٌّ مُبِيدُ الْمُنْكِرِينَ وَقَلِيَا
‘Anil ḥaqqi wal ‘irfāni wal qurbi wal hudā; mudhillun mubīdul munkirīna wa qaliyā
From the truth, esoteric knowledge, closeness and guidance21. It is also the source of humiliation and annihilation of the deniers and the enemy22.
From the truth, esoteric knowledge, closeness and guidance21. It is also the source of humiliation and annihilation of the deniers and the enemy22.
وَقَدْ جَاءَ هَذَا الْغَيْثُ بِالرُّشْدِ وَالتُّقَى
وَأَنْقَذَنَا مِنْ ذَا الرَّدَى وَالدَّوَاهِيَا
Wa qad jā’a hādhal ghayṡu bir rushdi wat tuqā; wa anqadzanā min dzār radā wad dawāhiyā
Verily, this succour provided guidance23 and led mankind to increased piety. By doing so, he also liberated us from these calamities24 and misguidances.
Verily, this succour provided guidance23 and led mankind to increased piety. By doing so, he also liberated us from these calamities24 and misguidances.
وَرَبَّى قُلُوبَ الْعَاشِقِينَ بِذِكْرِهِ
تَرَاهُمْ بِتَهْلِيلٍ تَرَى الْكُلَّ دَانِيَا
Wa rabbā qulūbal ‘āshiqīna bi-dhikrihī; tarāhum bi-tahlīlin taral kulla dāniyā
He nurtured the hearts of the people yearning for Allah with an unceasing remembrance of Allah. Thus, you find them in constant praise25 in order to gain closeness to Allah.
He nurtured the hearts of the people yearning for Allah with an unceasing remembrance of Allah. Thus, you find them in constant praise25 in order to gain closeness to Allah.
فَكُلُّهُمْ غَابُوا بِعَنْ رُؤْيَةِ السِّوَى
وَمَا غَيْرُ حَقٍّ فِى فُؤَادِيَ ثَاوِيَا
Fakulluhum ghābū bi-‘an ru’yatis siwā; wa mā ghayru ḥaqqin fī fu’ādiya ṡāwiyā
All of these people26 are blinded from seeing any other but Allah. Likewise, me (the author) my heart desires only to be in the Divine presence.
All of these people26 are blinded from seeing any other but Allah. Likewise, me (the author) my heart desires only to be in the Divine presence.
وَذَا كُلُّهُ مِنْ فَضْلِ بَرْهَامَ كَوْلَخَ
ربِيعِ الزمَانِ جَاءَ لِلشِّرْكِ مَاحِيَا
Wa dzā kulluhū min faḍli barhāma kawlakh; rabī‘iz zamāni jā’a lish shirki māḥiyā
And behold, all of these spiritual revivals are occasioned by the efforts of Barhama Khaolakh. The spiritual spring of our generation,27 who has come to extinguish polytheism28.
And behold, all of these spiritual revivals are occasioned by the efforts of Barhama Khaolakh. The spiritual spring of our generation,27 who has come to extinguish polytheism28.
رَضِينَا بِهِ لَمَّا َرأَيْنَاهُ مُزْنَةً
تُرَوِّى صَدَانَا بَلْ هُوَ الْفَيْضِ وَافِيَا
Raḍīnā bihi lammā ra’aynāhu muznah; turawrī ṣadānā bal huwal fayḍi wāfiyā
We were pleased with him and accepted him wholeheartedly when we discovered he was a boundless cloud29. He quenched our spiritual thirst with the Divine Flood30 of abundance.
We were pleased with him and accepted him wholeheartedly when we discovered he was a boundless cloud29. He quenched our spiritual thirst with the Divine Flood30 of abundance.
أَيَا النَّاسُ خَلُّو الْهزْلَ وَاقْفُوه سُرْعَةً
وَإِلاَّ تَرَوهُ عَنْكُمُ الدَّهْرَ نَائِيَا
Ayān nāsu khullul hazla waqfūhu sur‘ah; wa illā tarawhu ‘ankumud dahrā nā’iyā
O' mankind! End your folly and swiftly follow his spiritual guidance. Lest he becomes inaccessible to you forever, leaving you with eternal regret.
O' mankind! End your folly and swiftly follow his spiritual guidance. Lest he becomes inaccessible to you forever, leaving you with eternal regret.
أُولُواالْبِرِّ وَاْلإِحْسَانِ قَدْ أَسْلَمُوا لَهُ
وَأَهْلُ فَرَنْسِ إَفْرِقِيَّهَ َوآسِيَا
Ulūl birri wal iḥsāni qad aslamū lahu; wa ahlū faransi ifrīqiyya wa āsiyā
Men of virtue and spiritual excellence have indeed sought his spiritual guidance31. (His spiritual guidance is sought across the world) including (but not limited to) the French (Europeans), Africans, and Asians.
Men of virtue and spiritual excellence have indeed sought his spiritual guidance31. (His spiritual guidance is sought across the world) including (but not limited to) the French (Europeans), Africans, and Asians.
فَوَقْتِى وَسَاعَاتِى صَرَفْتُ لِمَدْحِهِ
فَمَدْحِ أَبِى إِسْحَاقَ لِى كَانَ شَافِيَا
Fawaqtī wa sā‘ātī ṣaraftu li-madḥihī; fa madḥu abī isḥāqa lī kāna shāfiyā
I devoted my time and hours to inscribing his praise. For eulogising, Aba-Ishaq32 brings much solace and restoration to my heart33.
I devoted my time and hours to inscribing his praise. For eulogising, Aba-Ishaq32 brings much solace and restoration to my heart33.
فَمَدْحِى أَبَا إِسْحَاقَ بَرْهَامَ كَوْلَخَ
أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ كَرَائِمِ مَالِيَا
Fa madḥī abā isḥāqa barhāma kawlakh; aḥabbu ilayya min karā’imi māliyā
My eulogy of Abu-Ishaq Barhama Khaolakh is more precious to me than all my material wealth34.
My eulogy of Abu-Ishaq Barhama Khaolakh is more precious to me than all my material wealth34.
أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ طَرِيفِى وَتَالِدِى
وَنَفْسِى وَأَحْبَابِى دَعُوا ذِكْرَ مَالِيَا
Aḥabbu ilayya min ṭarīfī wa tālidī; wa nafsī wa aḥbābī da‘ū dhikra māliyā
It is more precious to me than the newest and oldest of my material wealth. It is more precious to me than myself, my loved ones; thus, stop mentioning any of my wealth35.
It is more precious to me than the newest and oldest of my material wealth. It is more precious to me than myself, my loved ones; thus, stop mentioning any of my wealth35.
خَلِيلَيَّ قُدَّانِى إِلَى حَضْرَةِ الَّتِى
بَنَاهَا أَبُوا إِسْحَاقَ قَبْلَ فَنَائِيَا
Khalīlayya quddānī ilā ḥaḍratillatī; banāhā abū isḥāqa qabla fanā’iyā
O' my two companions (my intellect and heart), direct me to Madinatu Khaolakh. And to the spiritual station that was established by Abu-Ishaq before my time is due36.
O' my two companions (my intellect and heart), direct me to Madinatu Khaolakh. And to the spiritual station that was established by Abu-Ishaq before my time is due36.
وَلاَ تَتْرُكَانِى بَارَكَ اللَّهُ فَيكُمَا
إِلِى اْلأَرْضِ ذَاتِ السِّرِّ أَنْ تُسْرِعَا بِيَا
Wa lā tatrukānī bārakallāhu fīkumā; ilal arḍi dzātis sirri an tusri‘ā biyā
Do not abandon me, Allah's blessings be bestowed on you. So far as you hasten with me to this physical place (Madinatu Khaolakh) and spiritual stations that are filled with mysteries, so that I may experience the divine reality.
Do not abandon me, Allah's blessings be bestowed on you. So far as you hasten with me to this physical place (Madinatu Khaolakh) and spiritual stations that are filled with mysteries, so that I may experience the divine reality.
وَمَا زِلْتُ مَاسُورًا وَمَازِلْتُ عَاشِقًا
لِمَحْبُوبِ قَلْبِ كَامِنًا فِى فُؤَادِيَا
Wa mā ziltu māsūran wa mā ziltu ‘āshiqā; li-maḥbūbi qalbi kāminan fī fu’ādiyā
I have not ceased being a captive and a fanatic. Of the beloved of my heart (Barhama Khaolakh), whose love has fully enveloped my heart.
I have not ceased being a captive and a fanatic. Of the beloved of my heart (Barhama Khaolakh), whose love has fully enveloped my heart.
وَمَا كَانَ حُبِّى لِسُلَيْمَى وَ فَرْتَنَا
وَلَكِنَّ حُبِّى لِحَصِينِيَ آوِيَا
Wa mā kāna ḥubbī li-sulaymā wa fartanā; wa lākinna ḥubbī li-ḥaṣīniya āwiyā
My love is not for Sulaima, nor for Fantana.37 But for the one who protects me and draws me closer.
My love is not for Sulaima, nor for Fantana.37 But for the one who protects me and draws me closer.
فَقَدْ تَمَّ نَظْمِى بِالصَّلاَةِ عَلَى النَّبِى
وَءَالٍ وَأَصْحَابٍ وَمَنْ جَاءَ تَالِيَا
Faqad tamma naẓmī biṣ ṣalāti ‘alan nabī; wa ālin wa aṣḥābin wa man jā’a tāliyā
My eulogy is perfected with the blessings upon the Prophet (ï·º). His family, his companions and all who follow in his steps.
My eulogy is perfected with the blessings upon the Prophet (ï·º). His family, his companions and all who follow in his steps.
عَلَيْهِ صَلاَةُ اللَّهِ مَا قَالَ عَاشِقٌ
أَلاَ لَيْتَ شِعْرِى هَلْ يَرَى النَّاسُ مَاأَرى
‘Alayhi ṣalātullāhi mā qāla ‘āshiq; alā layta shi‘rī hal yaran nāsu mā arā
May Allah's blessings be upon him so far as the lover continuous to say; Be steadfast! I trust my conscience (and ask) could men bear witness or see what I see of the truth?38
May Allah's blessings be upon him so far as the lover continuous to say; Be steadfast! I trust my conscience (and ask) could men bear witness or see what I see of the truth?38