Sol 6.1

  1. Ali is Commander of the Faithful, brother of guidance,

    and the best of those wearing sandals and those who went barefoot.

  2. Ahmad confided the whole of knowledge to him,

    and he alone among creation retained it for him.

  3. And he recorded it in a single sitting with him,

    in a thousand sayings, each offering guidance.

  4. And each of those sayings opened

    a thousand doors for him; he encompassed them just as they were.

  5. Then, while the Messenger of God was dictating, he was overcome

    by drowsiness, and dozed for a while, leaning aside.

  6. So Gabriel dictated to him in his place

    verses of revelation he had come bearing.

  7. And when drowsiness cleared from him, he was like

    a crescent moon from which night-roaming clouds had drifted away.

  8. He recited some of the tidings his hand had inscribed,

    and he recited the knowledge that had been retained.

  9. Then Ali spoke, saying, 'You, Muhammad.'

    'Rather, the Spirit dictated it to you openly.

  10. Gabriel brought it to me, dictating it clearly

    to you; he was neither heedless nor forgetful.'

Sol 6.1