Sol 6

  1. Whose deserted dwelling, like a tattoo, remains silent?

    A trench and traces remain, like the markings of an obscure script.

  2. Listen, you captive of passion, who never shrinks

    From hurting or reproaching me over Ali:

  3. You will hear from me a declaration about Ali

    That will displease you; hang back for it or come forward.

  4. Ali has my support against those

    Among the people who fault him, with my hands and my mouth.

  5. Whenever one hostile to him tries to speak of his faults before me,

    He will find someone defending him, ready with a reply.

  6. Ali is the dearest of all people to me, except Muhammad;

    So spare me your reproach—or go on reproaching me.

  7. Ali is the Chosen One’s designated successor and cousin,

    And the first to pray and affirm God’s oneness; know this.

  8. Ali is the guiding imam through whom

    Every darkness in our religion was lit for us.

  9. Ali is guardian of the Pool and its defender,

    Driving every wrongdoer away from its edges.

  10. Ali is keeper of the Fire, addressing it thus:

    ‘Leave this one and this one; drink from him and feed.’

  11. ‘Seize by the extremities those among them who fall to you,

    But do not approach any of my followers and wrong them.’

  12. Tomorrow Ali will be summoned, and his Lord will clothe him

    And truly draw him near to an honored companion.

  13. If you will resent him when that day brings him near,

    Though you show approval of him now, then nurse your resentment.

  14. For you will meet him standing beside the Pool

    With the Chosen One, the guiding and revered Prophet.

  15. The two will grant passage to those who loved them in life

    Into comfort and deep, sheltering shade.

  16. Ali is Commander of the Faithful, and his right

    Is ordained by God for every Muslim.

  17. For God’s Messenger enjoined recognition of his right

    And gave him a share in every recovered possession and spoil.

  18. His wife is a woman of supreme truthfulness, with none

    To compare with her but the Virgin Mary.

  19. To the Chosen One he was as Aaron son of Imran

    Was to the noble Moses, to whom God spoke.

  20. And one day at Ghadir he made allegiance to him obligatory

    For every upright person, eloquent or unable to speak Arabic.

  21. Beside the trees of Khumm, holding his right hand,

    He called out his name clearly, without hesitation.

  22. By the One to whose House’s corner they hasten,

    Every stout, broad-backed camel with disheveled forelock,

  23. Bringing riders from every town:

    Whoever did not submit on the day of the trees went astray.

  24. And when he departed, he entrusted him with his command

    And the legacy of knowledge, firm among the bonds of religion.

  25. He continued to discharge his debts and promises

    And to summon people to it, making himself heard at every gathering.

  26. He said to those entitled to payment, ‘Welcome, welcome,’

    Words free of condescension or a scowling face.

  27. And he distributed it until he had discharged his obligation

    By giving the gifts of a generous man who shared them out.

  28. Enough—do not reproach me over Ali, for

    Love of him runs between my skin and bones.

  29. Were you not blind to him and to his merit,

    I would excuse you; but you are blind to his merit.

  30. Was it not at Salʿ that he struck the overreaching man

    Who transgressed and attacked with his sword, above the turban?

  31. At Badr and Uhud too, his deeds in both

    Were, praise be to God, deeds beyond reproach.

  32. And in the conquest of Khaybar, to God be glory,

    There was a blessing upon him and from him, after blessings before.

  33. He walked between Gabriel and Michael, with angels

    Around him, like a resolute lion.

  34. He attacked the fortresses of those who had adopted Judaism

    With a bold charge, as one who worships God.

  35. So that the Lord of heaven might show them his struggle

    And make them know that he advanced without shrinking back.

  36. They surrendered with their own hands, humbled and subdued,

    And said to him, ‘We accept your judgment; judge, then.’

  37. My Lord, in what I have said

    In praise of Ali, I sought only Your favor; have mercy.

  38. When the creature of the earth emerges, it will leave

    No enemy of his without a mark upon the nose.

  39. Whenever anyone who does not love him sees it,

    Whether human or one of the mighty jinn, he will be marked upon the nose.

Sol 6