Ghazal # 5 from the Diwaan-e-Mo’in

Maa talabgaar-e-to aim o to gorezani ze maaMaa basuyat moqbal o to ruye gardaani ze maa

I’m seeking you out, but you’re running away from Me,I’m looking towards you, but you’re turning away your face from Me.

Maa berun az shash jehat waz sad jehat juyaan toChand khud raa har taraf mashghul gardaani ze maa

I'm beyond the six directions, but you are seeking Me everywhere.How long will you keep yourself occupied thus by turning away from Me?

Har kojaa khwaahi shodan baa maa to ham ai bikhabarMaa namimaanim az to gar to'í maani ze maa

O, ignorant one, you are seeking Me to be with Me,But I'll not forsake you, so abide with Me.

Maa chu bahr o to chu abri baar-e-maa kash gham makhurBaagh raa khandaan koni gar chand geryaani ze maa

I'm the ocean and you are the cloud which has arisen from it. Don't beunhappy,

You make the garden bloom with your tears because of Me.

Goftamash taa chand dar parda nehaan khwaahi shodanWaqt aan aamad ke digar ru napushaani ze maa

I asked Him: ‘How long will You remain hidden behind the veil?Has not the time come to reveal Yourself to me?’

Goft man bi pardah am gar pardah bini aan to’iTaa to hasti dar hazaaraan pardah penhaani ze maa

He answered: ‘I am not veiled. It is your existence, which creates a veil.As long as you exist you’ll be concealed by a thousand veils from Me’.

Chun to’i pishat haqiqi chand naam in o aanIn wojud-e-‘aarezi baashad ke besetaani ze maa

‘How can you be admitted to God’s presence by reciting this or that name?It is your temporal existence which is separating you from Me’.

Gofta cheshtam ze meraati ke zaaher shod Mo'inMan che guyam kaz ke shod chun khud hamidaani ze maa

It was asked: 'What is it, O Mo'in, that has been revealed to you inthe mirror?'

I answered: 'Why do You ask, when You know Yourself what has been shown to me?'

Ghazal # 6

Chu man ze baada’e-‘eshq-e-to mast o bikhabaramHama jamaal-e-to binam ba-har che dar negaram

Because of Your wine of love I’ve been intoxicated and unconscious. In whatever I look at I only see Your beauty.

To har hejaab ke khahi foru gozaar ke manBa-na’ra-i ke zanam sad hejaab raa bedaram

You may veil Yourself as much as You like,But with just one cry I’ll tear apart a hundred veils.

Chu dar miyaana namaanad hejaab maan’e chistKe par bar aaram o az haft charkh dar gozaram

What obstacle is there, because in our midst no veil remains,When I’ll put on wings to cross the seven heavens?

Che jaaye haft falak kaz faraaz taaram-e-‘arshHazaar manzel-e-digar ba-yak qadam separam

How can the seven heavens hinder me to travel beyond the highest limits,When I can travel a thousand such stages in just one step?

Chu arz nist baram haft charkh o hasht behesht

Sazaast gar do jahaan raa ba nim jaw na-kharam

Since the seven spheres and the eight heavens have no value for me,I’ll not even buy the two worlds for half a grain of barley.

Derakht-e-‘omr maraa bar omid didan-e-tostAgar baghayr to binam ze ‘omr bar na-khuram

My tree of life consists of the hope to see You. If I’d look to someone else but You I’ll not enjoy any fruit in my life.

Mo’in nazar ze khodaa baaqist ay wallaahKe ‘arsh o farsh nadarand taab-e-yak nazaram

Mo’in, a vision of God confers eternal life, by God!So that by the light of one glance of mine heaven and earth disappear.

Ghazal #7

Chu qasd baargah-ye-kebriya konad del-e-manFaraaz-e-’arsh buwad kamtarina-ye-manzel-e-man

Because my heart has the intention to reach the court of the Almighty,Even the highest summit of the heavens is but an insignificant stage of my journey.

Maraa ba-jaazeba-ye-’eshq mikashad su-ye khodKasike dast-e-mohabbat nehaad dar gel-e-man

It is He, Who attracts me to Himself by means of love.It is He, Who holds me in a loving embrace.

Ba-goftamash ba-to waasel ke mishawad goftaaZe khish har ke ba-borried gasht waasel-e-man

I asked Him: ‘How can I attain union with you?’He answered: ‘Everyone who detaches from his ego, can attain union with Me’.

Chu maah budam o bas jaama-ye-siyaa shodamChu aaftaab-e-rakht raft az moqaabel-e-man

I am like the moon and my dress will become very dark,When the light of the sun is turned away from me.

Khosuf-e-man na ze bahr-e-qosur-e-khurshid-astWale zamin-e-badan gashta ast haa’el-e-man

My eclips is not because of a fault of the sun,But my earthly nature changed into a screen for me.

Ghazal #8

Suye man aa ke toraa yaar-e-wafaadaar manamHar che daari ba-man aawar ke kharidaar manam

Come to Me, because I am your true Friend.Bring what you’ve got to Me, because I’ll buy everything.

Gar to shaadi o delat ‘azm-e-tamaashaa daarad

Bar man aay ke bagh o gol-e-golzaar manam

If you are joyful and your heart longs for pleasure,Come to Me, because I am the garden full of blooming roses.

Wa gar az ranj-e-ma’aasi del-e-to gashta malulSuye man aa tabib-e-del-e-bimaar manam

And if your heart is dejected and troubled because of your sins,Come to Me, because I am the Healer of sick hearts.

Na hamin saaheb-e-sajjaadaye khalwat gaahamSaaqiye maykada o motreb-e-khomaar manam

I’m not only the One Who is worshipped at the place of retreat,But I’m also the Cupbearer of the tavern and the Troubadour of the intoxicated ones.

Ay ke dar sawma’haa dar talabam mi paayiKu berun aayi ke andar sar-e-baazaar manam

O you, who in search of Me have stayed in hermitages:Come out from there, because I am also present in the midst of the market.

Hawas-e-kherqa-e sad paara o taaj-e-dibaajBe-neh az sar ke toraa joba o dastaar manam

Put away your desire for the patched frock and the golden crown;

It is My cloak and turban that is yours to wear.

Bideli kam kon o az bikasiye khish manaalKe toraa dar hama jaa delbar o deldaar manam

Reduce your despair and don’t complain about being without friends,Because I’m in all cases both your Beloved and Lover.

To be-har ma’rakaye raaz-e-del-e-khish maguiKe be-khalwatgah-e-jaan mahram-e-asraar manam

Do not confide the secrets of your innermost heart to everyone,Because I am the confidant of the secrets of the solitary place of your heart.

Taa be-kay noqta sefat daa’erat mi be-namaayyeTo chu markaz be-neshin gerd to parkar manam

How long will you go on showing yourself as the central dot?Sit at the centre and then you’ll see that I am the complete circle.

Gawhar-e-ma’dan-e-surat khazaf-e-hasti tostDar tag-e-bahr-e-ma’aani dor-e-shahwaaar manam

Your existence is like a piece of earthenware, but looks like a jewel from the mine.I am however the most precious pearl at the bottom of the sea of meanings.

Hizom-e-shakhs-e-mo’in sukht chonaan ze aatesh-e-‘eshqKe shodam akhgaar o goftam magar naar manam

The wood of the person of Mo’in has been burnt by the fire of love,So that I’ve been reduced to ashes, but I say that perhaps I have become fire.

Ghazal #9

To khaasa ze maa baash ke maa niz toraa aa’imDar har do jahaan maqsad o maqsud-e-to maa’im

You are special to me and I am also there for you.I am your goal and your final destination in the two worlds.

Gar yak qadam az kuye talab suye man aa’iMaa sad qadam az raah-e-karam pish-e-to aa’im

In case you take but a single step towards Me in your search,I will take a hundred steps out of kindness towards you.

Maa ganj-e-nehaanim o to meftaah-e-fotuhiHam az to baraaye to dar-e-ganj koshaa’im

I am a hidden treasure and you have the key to open it,So that for you alone I can open the door to the treasure.

Maa bar sefat-e-khish toraa jelwa namudaimTaa ze aayena-e-zaat-e-to khud raa benamaa’im

I have shown My splendour through My personal qualities,So that in the mirror of your own soul I manifest Myself.

Chun zang-e-gel az aayena-e-del bezdinad (?)Jaan na’ra bar aaward ke maa nur-e-khodaa’im

When the rust of your earthly existence is removed from the mirror of your heart,Your soul cries out: ‘I am the light of God!’

Joz nur-e-jamaal-e-to dar aayena che taabadAan dam ke ghobar az rokh-e-aayena zedaa’im

What other light of beauty than Yours can shine in this mirror,When the dust is cleaned from the surface of the mirror?

To bahr-e-qedam budi o maa shabnam-e-emkaanMaa baa to chonaanim ke gu’i hama maa’im

You are the eternal sea and I am but temporal dew.You and I are like this that You can say: ‘I am all!”

Dar ‘aalam-e-tawhid na yaarim na aghyaarAan lahza ke az parda-e- hasti badar aa’im

In the realm of unity there is neither friend nor foe,

At that moment when I come out of the veil of existence.

Az shash jehat-e-kawn gozasht mo’iniAz jaa chu bordnaim che gu’im kojaa’im

Mo’in has passed beyond the six directions of the world,But what can I say about the place to which I’ve been taken and where I am?

Ghazal # 10

Khazinahast maraa por ze naqd-e-‘elm o adabKojaast aah-e-sahargaah o naala-e-del-e-shab

My treasury is full of the coins of knowledge and good manners,But where are the sighs coming from the heart during night and day?

Ma-baash teshna-e-lab andar be-waadi-e-‘esyaanKe bahr-e-rahmat-e-maa mawj mizanad bar lab

Do not remain parched-lipped in the valley of sinners,Because the waves of the ocean of My mercy will moisten your lips.

Zohur-e-nur-e-robubiyat az baraaye to shodAz aan zamaan ke toraa gofta am alasto be-rabb

The divine light has manifested itself to you,And at that time you testified that I am your Lord.

To banda-e-man o man rabb-e-to be-hashr bas astZe maadar o pedarat chun konim qat’-e-nasab

You are my servant and up to the day of resurrection I’ll be your only Lord,But how can I ask you to cut your relations with your mother and father?

Hazaar daam kashaadam ke karda am saidatGarat konun be-robaayam ze daam-e-khod che ‘ajab

A thousand times I’ve spread My net to ensnare you in it:It’s no wonder that now I’ve seized you in My net.

Hazaar baar jawaab-e-to gofta am labbaikBe-daan omid ke yak baar guyam yaa rabb

A thousand times I’ve answered you, saying: ‘I am here for you’, Hoping one day I’d make you say: ‘O Lord!’

Nazar be-rahmat-e-maa kon makhur farib-e-‘amalChu shod padid mosabbeb mo’attal ast sabab

Keep My mercy in mind: don’t deceive yourself that you’re the doer,Because it is evident Who is the ultimate Causer of all causes.

Jamal-e-zaat be-hosn-e-sefat be-yaar ayamHejaab bar feganam bas be-guyamat faarghab (?)

I’ve manifested the beauty of My essence with the beauty of My qualities. I’ll remove the veil if you really call upon Me with great longing.

Maraa majaw ke nayaabi be-baagh-e-‘aalam-e-qodsDarun-e-sina-e-suzaan-e-‘aasiyaan be-talab

Do not desire to find Me in the gardens of paradise,Search for Me in the burning hearts of the sinners.

Be-waqt-e-dard o talab lotfhaaye-man didiQeyaas kon ke che bini be-waqt-e-‘aish o tarab

You’ve seen My kindness during the painful time of your search.Just imagine how much more you’ll see during a joyful time of delight!

Mo’in ze naam o neshaan dar gozar ke dar rah-e-‘eshqGholaamiye-saq-e-kuyash toraa bas ast laqab

Mo’in, leave name and fame behind you, because in the path of loveTo be the slave of the dog of His street is enough as a name for you.

Ghazal #11

Aateshi afrukht ‘eshq o jesm o jaan-e-man ba-sukhtGoftam aahi bar kasham kaam o zabaan-e-man ba-sukht

Love has set on fire my body and soul, they are burning!I’ve brought out a sigh: it has burnt up both my mouth and tongue.

Aatesh-e-dozagh nadarad taabesh-e-suz-e-feraaqAah az in aatesh ke paida o nehaan-e-man ba-sukht

The fire of hell is not so intense as the heat of the fire of separation.This fire caused so much pain: it has burnt up both my body and soul.

Naar-e-dozagh gar che suzad posthaaye ‘aasiyaanAatesh-e-hejraanash maghz-e-ostokhwaan-e-man ba-sukht

While the fire of hell may burn the skin of the sinners,The fire of separation from Him has burnt up the marrow of my bones.

Ne’mat-e-har do jahaan baa ‘aafiyat mikhaast delAatesh-e-‘eshq aamad o har do jahaan-e-man ba-sukht

My heart desired the wealth and pleasures of this world and the next,But the fire of love has come and has burnt up both worlds for me.

Dini o ‘oqba be-raft o ‘eshq-e-mawlaa mand o basSatwat-e-nur-e-tajalli in o aan-e-man ba-sukht

This life’s transactions and the desires for the next life have gone and there is nothing but the love of the Lord,The majesty of the light of His manifestation has burnt up both this and that for me.

Ahl-e-‘oqba sud bord o taaleb-e-doniyaa ziyaanGarmi-e-baazaar-e-u sud o ziyaan-e-man ba-sukht

Those who aim for the next life may win and seekers of this world may suffer loss,But the intensity of His marketplace has burnt up both my profit and loss.

Teshna-e-didaar-e-yaaram dar biyaabaan-e-talebKaatesh in teshnagi ruh o rawaan-e-man ba-sukht

The desire of seeing my Friend in the desert of my quest is such,That the fire of my longing has burnt up both my spirit and soul.

Chun neshaani bi neshaani dar rah-e-gomnaami astBarq-e-esteghnaa’ az aan naam o neshaan-e-man ba-sukht

The sign on the path to self annihilation is the absence of signs.The lightening of my disdain has therefore burnt up both my name and identity.

Chun ke dar meraat-e-jaan didaar-e-jaanaan shod ‘ayaanZolmat-e-tan dar zohur-e-nur-e-jaan-e-man ba-sukht

When I could contemplate the vision of the Beloved in the mirror of my soul,The manifestation of the light of my soul then burnt up the darkness of my bodily existence.

Sad hazaaraan parda bud andar miyaan-e-maa o dustJomla az yak sho’la-e-aah o foghaan-e-man ba-sukht

There were a hundred thousand veils between me and the Friend,But one flame of my sigh and my complaint burnt up all of them.

Gar Mo’ini pesh az in gofti ze hosnash shammaIn zamaan nur-e-rokhash sharh o bayaan-e-man ba-sukht

Before this speech Mo’in was able to describe His beauty a little,But now the light of His face has burnt up my ability to speak clearly.

Ghazal 12

Man yaar toraa daaram o aghyaar namikhaahamGhair az to ke del bordi deldaar namikhaaham

You are my Friend and I don’t want any other.You are my Beloved and I don’t want any other to capture my heart.

Khaari ke ze dard-e-to khastast maraa dar delMan khasta-e-aan khaaram golzaar namikhaaham

A thorn of pain coming from You has wounded my heart,But I don’t want to replace this wound by any flower.

Gar jelwa dehi bar del naqd-e-do jahaan guyamMan ‘aasheq-e-didaaram dinaar namikhaaham

If You polish my heart, I’ll pay all the cash of both worlds for it.I love to see You and it is money I don’t want.

Serri ke maraa baa tost baa ghair to chun guyamTo daani o man daanam ezhaar namikhaaham

Why should I reveal the secret between You and me to others?You know it and I know it; I don’t want it to be disclosed to all.

Andar haram-e-jaanam kas raa nabuwad manzelGhair az to darin khalwat deyaar namikhaaham

In the sanctuary of my soul no one may stay,Because I don’t want that anyone else but You should retire there.

Khun mikhuram az dastat o aazaar na pendaaramKaan khaater-e-naazok raa aazaar namikhaaham

Through Your hands I’m afflicted, but I never think of injury,Because I don’t want to cause grief to Your tender heart.

Man baada naminawsham ammaa chu to’i saaqiAndar tan-e-khud yak rag hoshyaar namikhaaham

I don’t drink wine unless You are the cupbearer.I don’t want to experience a slight dash of sobriety myself.

‘Asheq ke toraa khaahad baa ghair na yaar aamadJannaat namijuyam wa anhaar namikhaaham

The lover who longs for You cannot have any other friend.I don’t search for paradise and I don’t want its rivers.

Donya talabad ghaafel ‘oqbaa talabad ‘aaqelMan ‘asheqam o bidel joz yaar namikhaaham

The ignorant desire this world and the wise seek the life to come.I am a sad lover and I don’t want anything but the Friend.

Az hasti-ye-khod begozar begozaar mo’in afsarJaai ke nagonjad sar-e-dastaar namikhaaham

Give up this self-consciousness, Mo’in, give up this crown!There is no place for it and I don’t want a turban.

Ghazal 13

Toraa mikhaaham ay delbar ke binamTo’i maqsud-e-man dar har ke binam

O Beloved! It is You I wish to see.I desire only You in all that I see.

Maraa chasm az baraaye didan-e-tostTo rokh na-nomaayaim pas-e-dar ke binam

My eyes are only there in order to see You.If You don’t show Your face to me, what else can I see?

Jamaal-e-saaqi-ye-man minomaayadBe-meraat-e-mai o saaghar ke binam

The beauty of my cupbearer appears everywhere:In the mirror of the wine, in the goblet and in all that I see. Chonaanat dida am az dida-ye-delKe na-shenaasam be-chasm-e-sar ke binam

That manifestation of You which I’ve seen with the eyes of my heart,Cannot be understood by the eyes of my head, with which I also see.

Hazaaraan dar ze del suyat koshaad-astToraa mibinam az har dar ke binam

There are thousands of doors in my heart, which open towards You,But from whichever door I look, it is only You Whom I see.

Rokhat gar binim warna bemiramChu khaaham mordaan aan behtar ke binam

I either have to see Your face or else I should die,It is however better to die, than it is to see.

Mo’in emruz mikhaahad wesaalashNadaarad sabr taa mahshar ke binam

Mo’in impatiently longs to be united with you today.He doesn’t want to wait till the Day of Judgment in order to see.

Ghazal 14

Gar pardahaaye aab o gel az jaan o del yaksu shawadAz keswat-e-har zarra mehr-e-degar birun shawad

If the veil of the body would be pushed aside from heart and soul,From the outer cover of each atom a different sun would then emerge.

Har kas ke andar sayr-e-u haqq bud qasd-e-tayr-e-uYaabad wesaal-e-ghayr-e-u az zakhm-e-hejraan khun shawad

Every traveller towards Him has the right to desire to make speedy progress towards Him,But if he’d find himself in the company of others, then blood will come out from the wound of separation from Him.

Har taalebi kaan jaa ze jaan baa ‘aasheqaan shod ham ‘eyaanAanjaa borad guy az miyaan bar molk-e-afridun shawad

Every seeker who together with other lovers whole-heartedly is absorbed in contemplation,Will soon outstrip them and will enter the kingdom of God.

Sair-e-boraaq-e-‘aasheqaan dar-ham nawardad aasmaanBar ham zanad kawn o makaan taa hazrat-e-bichun shawad

The steed of the lover travels beyond the firmament,Confusing the two worlds till he reaches the Ineffable Presence.

Emruz man bar buye u sargashta am dar kuye uFardaa ke binam ruye u daani ke haalam chun shawad

I am bewildered today because of searching Him in His path: Just imagine what will be my state tomorrow when seeing His face?

Buye ze khom-e-wahdatash maaraa ze maa bigaana kardYaa rabb ke maanad aashnaa ruzike mai afzun shawad

I am no longer a stranger, because of the fragrance of the wine of union with Him.O Lord! What will happen to Your friend on the day that there’ll be plenty of wine?

Har kas khurad ratl-e-geraan laabod shawad serrash ‘ayaanAsraar-e-wahdat aan zamaan dar sina kay maknun shawad

Everyone who drinks this strong wine will of course become aware of His mysteries:How can at such a moment the secrets of unity remain hidden from you in your heart? Man mast aan paymaana am waz buye u diwaana amLayla agar hamkhaana am gardad chu man majnun shawad

The wine from this cup has made me drunk and His perfume has made me mad.When Layla would become my companion, I’d turn into Majnun.

U saaqi o mastash manam paymaana dar dastash manamDar way negaahi mikonam taa kay rokhash golgun shawad

He pours the wine and He makes me drunk as I’m the cup in His hands.I keep on looking at Him untill His face starts blushing.

Ma’shuq-e-maa ‘aasheq shawad ‘aasheq be-ma’shuqi rasadU chun suye ‘aasheq rawad hangaam-e-naaz aknun shawad

My Beloved becomes my lover and I, the lover, become the beloved. It is now the time for amorous playfulness, while He is the lover.

Meskin Mo’in taa konun dar shaam-e-gham maanad zabunAy maah agar aayi berun astaarash maymun shawad

How long poor Mo’in will remain helpless in this sad evening?O Beloved! If you remove Your veils I’ll be happy.

Ghazal 15

Chashm be-koshaai ke aafaaq por az nur-e-khodaastKhaali az nur-e-khodaa dar hama aafaaq kojaast

Open your eyes, because the whole world is full with the light of God.Which place in the whole world is without the light of God?

Ma’ni kaz nazar-e-khalq nehaan bud modaamNek benegar ke namudaar az in surat-e-maast

That spiritual meaning which always was hidden from the eyes of creatures,You can now clearly behold in my outward appearance.

Aan jamaali ke nazar niz daraan mahram nistHamchu khurshid darin aayinaye-maa paydaast

It is not forbidden to see that beauty therein, Just like the sun gets reflected in my mirror.

Goftamash chand buwad hosn-e-to penhaan goftaHosn paidaast wale dida-e-binanda keraast

I asked Him: ‘How long will Your beauty remain hidden?’He answered: ‘My beauty is evident, but who is there to see it?’

Sabok aa az khud wa az har kharefi bahra majuiKe kasheshha hama dar jaazeba-e-kaahe robaast

‘Lighten yourself of selfishness and come to Me unburdened by any foolishness,Because there are all kinds of allurements for you, just like amber attracts straw’.

Tabl-e-‘eshqast ke dar kawn o makaan mikubandPamba az gush berun kon beshenaw kin che sadaast

The sound of the drum of love is reverberating in both worlds.Remove the cotton from your ear and listen to this invitation! Shod Mo’in baa to be-khalwatgah-e-wahdat-e-mahramTaa ke az hasti o az nisti khish jodaast

Mo’in has experienced union with You in the secret place of retreat;He is separate from existence as well as from non-existence.

Ghazal 16

Man namiguyam ana’l haqq yaar miguyad beguChun naguyam chun maraa deldaar miguyad begu. It not me who said ‘I am the Truth’; the Friend forced me to say it.How can I not say it when the Beloved has asked me to say it?

Har che migofti be-man har baar migofti maguMan namidaanam cheraa in baar miguyad begu

You used to tell me never to disclose what You have revealed to me.I don’t understand why You ask me this time to disclose it openly.

Aanche natawaan goftan andar sawma’a baa zaahedaanBi tahaashi bar sar-e-bazaar miguyad begu

Those mysteries which could not be spoken about to the inmates of the hermitage,I am now asked to disclose them openly in the market place.

Serr-e-mansuri nehaan kardan na hadd chun man astChun konam ham rismaan ham daar miguyad begu

It is beyond my powers to hide the secret of Mansur al-Hallaj Because I am now asked to tell about the noose and the gallows.

Goftamash raazi ke daaram baa ke guyam dar jahaanNist mahram baa dar o diwaar miguyad begu

I said to Him that I hold a secret and I cannot share it with anyone in the world.He said that it is not forbidden to disclose it to everyone.

Aatesh-e-‘eshq az derakht-e-jaan-e-man barzad ‘alamHar che baa musaa begoft aan yaar miguyad begu

The fire of love has blazed forth from the tree of my soul like a sign:The Friend has now asked me to disclose all that has likewise been revealed to Mozes.

Goftamash man chun nayam dar man be-har dam midami

Man na-khaaham goftan in asraar miguyad begu

I said to Him that, because I do not exist, with every breath You are breathing within me.I do not want to disclose this secret, but He has now asked me to do so.

Ay sabaa gar porsedat kaz maa che miguyad mo’inIn du’i raa az miyaan bar daar miguyad begu

O, morning breeze, if someone asks you what Mo’in has to tell about Me,Disclose to him that he has said: ‘Free yourself of all duality!’

Ghazal 17

‘Eshqat del o jaanam raa taa kard jodaa az manJaan o del-e-man digar na-shenaakht toraa az man

Your love has separated my heart and soul from myself.My heart and soul cannot see the difference between You and myself.

Bar sham’e-jamaal-e-to parwaana sefat gashtamYak sho’la padid aamad be-setaand maraa az man

I have become like a butterfly because of the candle of Your beauty.One clear ray of light separated me from myself.

Shab taa be-sahar hastam andar hormat-e-mahramChun ruz shawad poshi rokhsaar cheraa az man

From nightfall till morning I have been Your intimate companion,But now that the day has dawned, why is Your face hidden from myself?

Har chand ke waa gashtam u dar pay-e-man aamadU kard wafaa afzun chun did jafaa az man

However much I move away from Him, He keeps on coming towards me:He increases His loyalty when He notices that I am inconstant myself.

Taa az kaf-e-aan saaqi yak jaam-e-baqaa’ khurdamBe-zeduda may-e-wahdat zangaar-e-fanaa’ az man

I’ve been drinking one glass of the wine of everlasting life from the hand of that Cupbearer,And this wine of union then took away the stain of mortality from myself.

Mansur sefat gar che zin dair-e-fanaa’ raftamSad nur hami girad aan daar-e-baqaa’ az man

If those who are like Mansur leave this world of mortality,They may receive many a light in the everlasting world from myself.

Khaahi ke rokhash bini dar chehra-e-man be-negarMan aayena-e-u-yam u nist jodaa az man

If you wish to have a look at His face, then look at my face:I am His mirror and He is not separate from myself.

Del wais-e-qaran aamad andar yaman-e-qaalabBeshenaw ze mashaam-e-jaan aan bu-i-khodaa az man

Model your heart like the one of Owais Qarani from Yemen,And your soul can perceive the fragrance of God coming from myself.

Goftaa ke chu bargiram borqa’ ze jamaal-e-khudDaani ke ze mai baashad masti to yaa az man

He said: ‘When I lift up My veil and reveal My beauty,You’ll know whether you are intoxicated because of the wine of yourself or Myself’.

Goftam chu mo’in zin mai sad jaam agar nawshamDam dar kasham o naayad chun kuh sadaa az man

I replied: ‘Because someone like Mo’in has also drunk a hundred cups of this wine,I’ll suspend my breath and thus from the mountain no echo will come from myself’.

Ghazal 18

Maa be-fekrash az behesht o hur o ghelman faareghimAz na’im-e-har do ‘aalam be-har jaanaan faareghim

Because of my contemplation on Him I’m free of paradise and heavenly pleasures.Because of my Beloved I’m free of the desires of both worlds.

Qut az khaan-e-kobaita ‘enda rabbi khorda aimAan ghezaa’ nawshida aim az aab o az naan faareghim

I’ve eaten the sweetest food from the table of the Lord;After having digested that food I’m free of water and bread.

Tefl-e-jaan raa daaya-e-lotf azal miparwaradLaajaram az mahd o shahd o shir o pestaan faareghim

My infant soul has been nourished by a loving fostermother in pre-eternity.This has of course freed me from needing a breast, milk, honey and a cradle.

Maa kazaan labhaa hayaat-e-jaawedaani yaaftaimAz talabgaari-ye-khezr o aab-e-haiwaan faareghim

Because I’ve experienced eternal life from those lips,I have been freed from the seeking of Khidr or the water of immortality.

Hamchu laala daagh-haa bar del nehaadam taa-konun

Hamchu gol dar-baagh-e-wasl az daagh-e-hejraan faareghim

Just like the tulip has spots, I’ve had scars on my heart until now.Just like the rose in the garden of unity, I’ve been freed from the wounds of separation.

Waa’ezaa ‘oshshaaq raa khush nist targhib-e-beheshtMaa be-didaarash ze bagh-e-khold o rezwaan faareghim

O preacher, lovers are not interested in the allurements of paradise: Because of seeing Him I’ve been freed from the Eternal Garden and its blessings.

Taa’er-e-‘eshq-im kaz qaid-e-tebaa’ jasta-imDaam-e-tan be-gosikhta dar daana-ye-jaan faareghim

I’m the bird of love and I’ve escaped from the chains of nature’s stampI’ve torn apart the net of my body and I’ve been freed from my lower self. Maa chu birun rafta aim az tangnaa-ye-kon fakaanDar fazaa-e-laamakaan az zaiq-e-emkaan faareghim

Because I’ve gone beyond the restrictions of creation,In the station beyond all stations I’ve been freed from the narrowness of unreal existence.

‘Aarefaan raa chun nazar bar ‘ain-e-ma’ruf ast o basAz wasaa’et dar zohur-e-nur-e-‘erfaan faareghim

The wise pay attention to the essence of knowledge and nothing more,I’ve been freed from ordinary means because of the revelation of the light of deep inward knowledge.

Maa ke az ‘ain al-yaqin haqq-al-yaqin raa dida amAz dalil-e-zanni o tashkik-e-borhaan faareghim

I’ve moved on from seeing with certainty to actual experience.I’ve been freed from opinions and doubtful proofs.

Chun ke dar ghaib-e-huwiyat e’tebaar-e-ghair nistAz zohur-e-esm dar meraat-e-a’yaan faareghim

Because duality does not exist in the invisible world of the divine essence,I’ve been freed of manifesting my identity in the mirror of the visible world.

Har che didam baa hejaab-e-ust yaa khud ‘ain-e-ustLaajaram az ‘eshq o ‘aql o kofr o imaan faareghim

In whatever I see, I either see Him hidden behind a veil or I see His essential Self,I have of course been freed from love, intellect, unbelief and faith.

Maa be poshti garm baazaar-e-amaanat mikashamWaz zalumi o jahulihhaa-ye-ensaan faareghim

I’m carrying His trust acquired with His ardent support in this marketplace.I’ve been freed of the cruelty and ignorance of human beings.

Chun ke soltaan-e-jahaan dar hokm o dar farmaan-e-maa-stAz gazand-e-haajeb o tahdid-e-darbaan faareghim

Because the king of the world is under my command,I’ve been freed from the injuries of his chamberlain and the threats of his porter.

Haajebi andar miyaan-e-‘aasheq o ma’shuq nistMaa be-jaanaan waaselim o az raqibaan faareghim

There is no intermediary between lover and BelovedI’ve been freed from rivals by experiencing union with my Beloved.

Dar malaamat raw mo’in khalq aanche khaahad gu be-guMaa konun az madh o qadh-e-jomla-ye-khalqaan faareghim

Follow the path of blame, Mo’in and let the people say what they want.I’ve now been freed from the praise or condemnation of all the people.

Ghazal 19

Man che guyam ke maraa naateqa madhush aamadBar delam zaabeta-ye-‘aql faraamush aamad

How can I speak when my tongue has become intoxicated?My mind has become silent and powerless over my heart.

Sail raa na’ra az aan ast ke az bahr jodaa-stDaan ke baa bahr dar aamikhta khamush aamad

The river is boisterous because it is separated from the ocean:Know that after union with the ocean it is becalmed forever.

Noktahaa dush delam goft o shanid az lab-e-yaarKe na hargez ba-zabaan raft o na dar gush aamad

My heart uttered secrets coming from the Friend’s lips last night,Which have never been spoken by any tongue or heard by any ear.

Shaahed-e-ghaib koshaada ast neqaab az rokh-e-khishTo na’i mahram az aan ba-har to rupush aamad

The unseen Beloved has removed the veil from His face. You are not His intimate, because you remain veiled.

Zaahed az kuy-e-moghaan paai kashidi emshab

Ba-qadam raft dar aan kucha wa bar dush aamad

The ascetic has left the lane of the fire-worshippers tonight;He went step by step to that street while appearing there last night.

Shab-e-hejr-e-to ke jaan az badan kard wedaa’Ruz-e-wasl-e-to degar baara dar aaghus aamad

During the night of separation my soul had said farewell to my body,But an embrace took once more place on the day of union.

Sokhan-e-talkh chun may ba-labat migozaradBar harifaan hama zahr ast o maraa nush aamad

The harsh words which flow like wine from Your lips,Appear to be like poison to my companions, but are sweet to me.

Che goharhaa ast kazin sina berun mirizadBahr-e-asraar-e-elaahi ast ke dar jush aamad

What are the jewels which are scattered from my breast?They are produced by the turmoil of the ocean of divine secrets.

Har keraa hush o qaraar ast mayash deh saaqiKe mo’ini ze azal bikhud o madhush aamad

O Saqi give His wine to everyone who is sound and sane,Which has enraptured Mo’in and has made him intoxicated since pre-eternity.

Ghazal 20

Man sharaab-e-‘eshq raa paymaana am ay ‘aasheqaanAan pari raa didam o diwaana am ay ‘aasheqaan

O, lovers! I am like a goblet fit for the wine of love.O, lovers! I’ve seen that fairy and now I am intoxicated.

Zaan fosun kaan lab ba-gusham khaand dar ruz-e-azalDar zabaanhaa taa abad aafsaana am ay ‘aasheqaan

Because of the fascinating recitation in my ears during pre-eternity, My tale will be told in every language till post-eternity, O, lovers!

Goftamash ba-namaai rukh goftaa ke didaar-e-maraaDida baayad war na man penhaan na am ay ‘aasheqaan

I asked Him to reveal His face; He replied: ‘In order to see MeYou need vision, otherwise I am hidden and not there, O, lovers!’

Man chu hosn-e-botgar andar chehra-ye-bot didam

Ba’d az in sar bar dar-e-botkhaana am ay ‘aasheqaan

I’ve seen the beauty of the Beloved in the face of beautiful damsels:I’m now bowing my head at the threshold of the idol-temple, O lovers!

Jazba-ye-nur-e-jamaalash mikashad suye khudamGu’yaa u sham’ o man parwaana am ay ‘aasheqaan

The attraction of the light of His Beauty draws me towards itself,As if He is the candle and I am the moth, O lovers!

Andarin kaashaana-ye-wiraana kay manzel konamMan ke baa shaah-e-jahaan ham khaana am ay ‘aasheqaan

How can I create my resting place in this desolate world?I’m already staying in the very house of the King of the world, O lovers?

Baa del-e-eshekasta goftam to kojaa o u kojaaGoft u ganj-ast o man wiraana am ay ‘aasheqaan

I asked my broken heart: ‘What are you like and what is He like?’It answered: ‘He is like a treasure house and I am like a ruin!’ O lovers.

Tan chu bahr o del sadaf delbar chu dor pendaashtam

Nay ke u bahr ast o man dor-daana am ay ‘aasheqaan

I used to see my body like the ocean, my heart like an oyster and the Beloved like a pearl;But no: He is the ocean and I am a single pearl, O lovers!

Taa tanam del gasht o del jaan gasht o jaan jaanaana shodNay tanam nay del na jaan jaanaana am ay ‘aasheqaan

Since my body has been transformed into a heart, my heart into a soul and my soul into the Beloved,I am neither my body, nor my heart, nor my soul: I am one with the Beloved, O lovers!

Gar miyaan-e-maa wa saaqi sad hazaaraan parda astMidaraanad na’ra-ye-mastaana am ay ‘aasheqaan

Even though there may be countless veils between me and the cup-bearer,I’ll tear them all apart with my intoxicated cry, O lovers!

Taa mo’in gasht aashnaa baa yaar-e-khud ay dustaanMan degar andar miyaan begaana am ay ‘aasheqaan

O friends, ever since Mo’in has become enamoured of his BelovedI have become a stranger to others in this relationship, O lovers!

Ghazal 21

Ze pish-e-khish bar afgan neqab-e-da’waa raaBe-bin ba-keswat-e-surat jamaal-e-ma’naa raa

Remove from your self the veil of pretensionAnd you’ll see the beauty of the spiritual meaning in outward forms.

Be-zan ba-sang-e-malaamat zojaaja-ye-naamusBa-ku-ye-‘eshq be-riz aabru-ye-taqwaa raa

Smash the glass of worldly fame with the stone of the path of blame; Shatter the respect attached to piety by following the path of love.

Chu hasht bagh-e-janaan khusha-e-ze kherman-e-maastBa-nim jaw na-kharam kesht-e-zaar-e-doniyaa raa

Because I can pick a bunch of grapes in the garden of the eighth heaven,Not even for half a grain of barley I’ll buy the harvest of this abject world.

Ba-haqq-e-u ke ba-kunayn chashm na-koshaayamKe taa nokhost na-binam jamaal-e-mawlaa raa

By God, I’ll not cast a glance at the two worlds,Until at first I’ll be enabled to see the beauty of the Friend.

Ze barg barg-e-derakht-e-wojud khush-shenudam

Romuz-e-‘eshq ke goft aan derakht musa raa

From every leaf of the tree of existence I’ve joyfully heardThe secrets of love, which that bush revealed to Moses.

Agar ze aatesh-e-‘eshqat be-sukhtam che ‘ajabKe kuh taab na-yaaward yak tajalli raa

It is not strange that the fire of Your love has consumed me,Because the mountain could not withstand the splendour of one single manifestation thereof.

Mo’in ba-chashm-e-kherad hosn-e-dost na-nomaayadBe-bin ba-dida-ye-majnun jamaal-e-laylaa raa

Mo’in, don’t judge the beauty of the Friend with the eyes of the intellect:Look at the beauty of Layla with the eyes of Majnun!

Ghazal 22

Salaams to all,

These lines have been attributed to Khwaja Mo’inuddin Chishti:

Magar aan saaqi-ye-wahdat neqaab az rokh bar afgandaKe jaam o baada yaksaan gasht o bahr o qatra dar-ham shod

Has that unifying cupbearer lifted the veil from His face,So that cup and wine became one, and the drop has merged into the ocean?

Magar fasl-e-bahaar aamad ke ‘aalam sabz o khorram shodMagar wasl-e-negaar aamad ke del baa ‘aysh hamdam shod

Has the season of spring arrived, because the world looks so green and fresh?Is it because unity with the Beloved has been realized, so that my heart has become one with pure delight?

Biyaa hamchun khalil emshab ze ghaar-e-tan berun be-negarKe nur-e-haqq padidaar az hamaa zarraat-e-‘aalam shod

Show your self tonight: hidden like the Friend inside of you and look beyond it,So that the Light of Truth may manifest Itself in every particle of the world.

Hazaaraan jaam har lahza ba-kaam-e-del hamirezadAz aan daryaa ke yak qatra nasib-e-‘arsh-e-a’zam shod

Each moment my heart is receiving thousands of cups to drink;One drop from that ocean is a priceless boon from the highest throne.

Delam raa naala o afghaan chu naay zaan asba’in aamadKe taqsimam ze naay baashad sadaa gar zir o geryam shod

My heart cries and laments, because it has been pierced like the flute. Each part thereof produces shrill and bewailing sounds like the flute.

Chun dar del dar-damid aan shah ze ruh-e-khweshtan wa ’llaahZe ghayb-al-ghayb shud aaga deli ke u haazer-e-dam shod

By God, when that King blew His own spirit into my heart,At that very moment from the Unseen of the Unseen my heart became enlightened.

Malaa’ek bahr yak qatra be-maanad chun sadaf teshnaHazaaraan bahr-e-bi-paayaan nesaar-e-khaak-e-aadam shod

The angels are thirsty for one drop of that ocean just like an oyster:Thousands of endless oceans have provided the clay to create Adam.

Del-e-bi-gham hami khaahi del-e-ghamgin ba-dast aawar

Chu del ghamgin-e-‘eshq aamad ze ghamhaa jomla bi-gham shod

Take hold of your heart, if you wish to have a heart free of sorrow.Fill it with the pain of love, so that it will be free of all other sorrows.

To be continued…

Siraj

A dervish is a friend of God and a friend of a friend is a friend, so why not become a friend of a dervish?