1. When I witnessed what images the universe contains,
I knew the one I sought was imageless.

2. I learned that what I seek seeks me
Through knowing me, not itself. So rise, follow my trace.

3. You see, what we have seen of His abodes
In every verse, a transcendence of forms.

4. And every verse a similitude and clear,
Recited to us from the Scriptures of old.

5. What Truth requires is that we unify Him
As Lord, as in Qur’an and reflection.

6. Not that we limit Him, as though to see
Him with the sun and moon in apparition.

7. My mind did not conceive Him while I was,
Nor cease from thinking of Him and perdition.

8. In House of Amran came the text demanding
Me with its warnings and seduction.

9. That was out of mercy to us, so
It’s recited to us despite pollution.

10. Night belongs to God, not me, and day the same,
For He is Time. So look on it and take heed.

11. Do not look at yourself if you have insight,
Walk straight, according to what’s decreed.

12. The means of ascent to Him are through Him.
I reached what He willed on my Burraq of thought

13. Until I came to what He ordained and judged.
I left that behind and rode the shooting stars

14. When I vanished in Him as He came to me
At night conversing, till dawn we were absorbed.

15. I took leave of Him then we walked where
He said to us. And there He was, on my right seeking my trace.

16. When I considered Him, I knew not His form.
We knew Him as the pinnacle of danger.

17. I was heedless of Him, as His purpose was
My heedlessness, by changing form and figure.

18. For He knew I discerned Him since He provided
My state from childhood. For Him I was born!

19. For Him I remain beholding the witnessed,
Gazing at Him until my aged worn.

20. So He told us He is with us, in our station
In nomad tent or town civilization.