Whose splendour is being glimpsed? What’s this light?
What does the amazed onlooker see here?
What does the amazed onlooker see here?
Ask whatever you will for you shall receive your heart’s desire!
Here none are refused, nor are you asked why you have come!
Advice can seem harsh o’ adviser, don’t be so bitter o’ Ego
O’ soul drowned in the poison of your sins, does anything taste sweet to you?
We are the Prophet’s; he is Yours; thus we too are Yours-
What greater intermediary to You is there than this?
You created us in his nation and sent him as a mercy
Do not then say, ‘what claim on mercy do you have?’
For the sake of Your Beloved’s modesty, do not take me to task
Forgive me unreservedly—why put such a sinner to test?
O’ ascetic I am his sinful slave and he is my Intercessor
What do you think? Isn’t that enough for my salvation?
When I am helpless during the Questioning about my deeds
Friends, how can I describe to you my sole hope for that time?
Alas! If only on hearing my shrieks my Prophet does say:
“Go and see what is this noise, this commotion?
Who is this terrified person? Upon whom has calamity befallen?
In what difficulty is he? What is his sorrow?
To whom does he call out, ‘By God! Hear my plea’?
Why is he restless? What is this distressed wailing?
His pain bears heavily upon me indeed!
Someone go ask him: ‘what has befallen you?’”
Thus the angels do respectfully reply: “It is a sinner;
He is being asked: ‘Tell us, what have you earned in the world below?’
He is facing torment; the Record of his deeds is laid bare before him
He is terrified about how Almighty God shall judge him
And beseeches you thus: ‘O’ King of Messengers!
Your slave is helpless! Master, what is taking you so long?
Soon I shall be inflicted with a terrible punishment but
If you come to my aid then what worries do I have, what fear?’”
Upon hearing this petition of mine that Sea of Compassion surged forth
And in this way commanded the angels: “Wait! What is this?
Who is it that you wish to throw into the hellfire? Let me come and see for myself What this uproar is all about!”
Upon hearing his voice I shall cry out instinctively with joy
And ardently exclaim: ‘Now I need not worry anymore!
See! Here comes my succour, the Saviour of Mankind!
At his command the dead are quickened—this is nothing for him!’
Then my liege-lord shall cover me with his holy robe and remark:
‘Aside o’ angels! What claims do you have over him?’
Letting me go the angels shall reply: ‘Master, we are mere servants
Who are we to dare go against your august command?’
Seeing this scene a great cry shall go up on the Plain of Judgement:
“Bravo! See that? How wonderfully has he saved his slave from destruction!”
Riza, at your melodies the songbirds make an offering of their souls
O’ nightingale of the garden of Medina, how lovely is your song!
[Translated by Brother AJ Naqshbandi]
