Inspirations

is worth a hundred thousand in his presence.

Obedience and faith are precious now,

but after death, when all is clear, they’re surplus.

Since absence, absent one and veil are best,

then close your lips: a quiet mouth is best.

O brother, steal yourself away from words

for God Himself reveals inspired knowledge.

The sun’s face is the witness of the sun.

‘What is the greatest testimony? – God.’

No, I shall speak, for God and all the angels

and learned men agree in explanation:

‘God and the angels and the learned witness:

there is no lord except the Lord abiding’,

Since God has testified who are the angels,

that they are partners in His testimony.

It is because weak hearts and eyes can’t bear

the beams of light and presence of the sun.

It’s like a bat that’s given up all hope

because it cannot tolerate the sunlight.

Be sure, the angels help as we are helpers,

reflectors of the sun in highest heaven.

We say we’ve gained this splendour from a sun;

we’ve shone upon the weak as did the caliph.

And like a moon that’s new or half or full,

each angel has perfection, light and power.

By rank each angel has from that effulgence

a three- or fourfold set of wings of light,

Just like the wings of human intellects,

among which there is so much variation.

The partner of each human, good or evil,