Abu Madyan

1126–1198 / Spain / Cantillana

The 'R' Poem

There is no pleasure in life except accompanying the
for they are the sultans and the masters and the princes
So accompany them and show proper manners in their councils
and leave your fortunes behind, no matter how much they offer to bring you upfront
And seize the time and always attend with them
and know that pleasure and content distinguish who attended
And abide by silence, except if you are asked, then say
I have no knowledge, and conceal yourself in ignorance
And see defects only in you; and have faith
that your have a flaw that would have been apparent, but was concealed
And lay down your head and ask for forgiveness for no reason
and stand up on the feet of fairness apologizing
If you commit a fault, apologize, and hold up
your apology for what you committed and what happened from you
And say: your slave is more deserving of your pardon
so pardon and be lenient and clement, O
They are more deserving of kindness, which is their character
so do not feel or expect from them any evil or harm
Always be generous in giving to the companions
actually and figuratively; and overlook if they slip
Observe the Sheikh carefully in his states, and hopefully
a trace of his achievement might appear in you.
Wholeheartedly do the effort, and strive to serve him,
perhaps you please him, and take care not to become bored
For his pleasure begets The Lord's pleasure and begets obedience
He will be pleased with you, so be cautious not to leave him
And know that the people's Path needs study
and the state who claims it today is as you see.
When will I see them, and how will I reach seeing them
or reach my ear hearing news about them?
I have no one, and how is it possible for the like of me to compete with them
over resources in which I did not know impurity?
I love them and shelter them and prefer them
in my heart; specially a group of them.
A people with noble characteristics - wherever they sit,
the place continues to be fragrant with their traces
Sufism presents gifts from their manners and traits.
Their perfect harmony from them delights the eye
They are the people I love and my loved ones who
proudly boast dragging the tails of honor
I am still united with and connected to them in Allah,
and our sins there by Him forgiven and pardoned
And then prayers upon the selected one, Sayyidina
Mohammed, the best of whoever fulfilled and whoever pledged
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