From his light (from The Poem of the Sufi Way)

by Umar Ibn al-Farid

English version by Th. Emil Homerin
Original Language Arabic

From his light,
     the niche of my essence enlightened me;
          by means of me,
               my nights blazed morning bright.

I made me witness my being there
     for I was he;
          I witnessed him as me,
               the light, my splendor.

By me the valley was made holy,
     and I flung my robe of honor --
          my "taking off of sandals" --
               on those summoned there.

I embraced my lights
     and so was their guide;
          how wondrous a soul
               illuminating lights!

I set firm my many Sinais
     and there prayed to myself;
          I attained every goal,
               as my being spoke with me.

My full moon never waned;
     my sun, it never set,
          and all the blazing stars
               followed my lead.

-- from Umar Ibn al-Farid: Sufi Verses, Saintly Life, Translated by Th. Emil Homerin

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Recommended Books: Umar Ibn al-Farid

Umar Ibn al-Farid: Sufi Verses, Saintly Life Sufi Poems: A Mediaeval Anthology From Arab Poet to Muslim Saint: Ibn Al-Farid, His Verse, and His Shrine The Wine of Love and Life: Ibn Al-Farid's Al-Khamriyah and Al-Qaysari's Quest for Meaning



From his light