Sol 5.6

  1. Every age has, among the spiritual folk, a sheikh.

    Among the saints, he is the sheikh of the age.

  2. He understands wisdom, fathoms the mystery, and reveals

    the meanings to those who love.

  3. He receives the command from the station of reception,

    through descent along the ordered stages of nearness.

  4. He clearly beholds the cup in a garden of proximity:

    wine of the spirit, not wine from white flasks.

  5. He draws the wayfarers to God with a pull

    prophetic in its pure, all-pervading flow.

  6. Gentle and tender toward one whose heart is pure

    in Him, yet stern toward the brother of slander.

  7. If he appears openly, he establishes a manifestation

    through which his station becomes clear to beholders.

  8. And whenever he conceals himself, there shine upon him

    radiant splendors, brilliant in their gleam.

  9. The eye draws light from his meanings;

    within him, silence encompasses all expression.

  10. Hearts draw near to him when a breath has cleansed them

    of Satan’s insidious whisperings.

  11. But hearts overtaken by darkness

    remain far from him, devoid of submission.

  12. Whoever sees Satan as having a share in him

    is banished from the favor of the Judge.

  13. But one whom the Unseen has sprinkled with light

    is that human being marked by divine regard.

  14. Indeed, that human being is the pupil of the eye of all

    people in the age—a manifestation of beneficence.

  15. The singular one of the many, uniting distinction and union,

    upon the path of the Furqan’s wisdom.

  16. Wonder-worker of Sinai, expounder of Sinai in meaning;

    in form, manner, and conduct, the Adnanite’s.

  17. Servant of sacred law, joining the root to the bran—

    —ch, and the arena of the point of all colors.

  18. Pouring forth wisdom by way of effu—

    —sions, through the rule of sincere counsel throughout creation.

  19. Unfolder of the folded, wellspring of quenching, lavishly over—

    —flowing with heaven’s meanings for intimate friends.

  20. Deputy of the Chosen One, heir to the secret of the spiritual

    state from him, unique among the eminent ones.

  21. I praise God that today I am this

    sheikh—the unique one, firm in his foundations.

  22. Behold, in truth this time is my time;

    O sons of the age, the era is mine.

  23. The Chosen One poured spiritual graces upon me

    that confirmed my standing despite the detractor.

  24. Take, my son, the necklaces strung upon my thread,

    and transmit from me the truths of gnosis.

  25. I am the Messenger’s spirit; it rose at my command;

    he and al-Rifa‘i—two consummate masters—raised me.

  26. The hand of providence disclosed me as a full moon,

    whose ascent indeed rose beyond Saturn.

  27. Fear no blow of time while I am present;

    you still abide in the station of safety.

  28. Cast created things aside with a wise man’s casting,

    emptied of the mind’s conjectures;

  29. referring every affair back to God, a caller

    to His sanctuary, far from all homelands;

  30. upright upon a straight path,

    in accord with the Prophet’s command and the Qur’an.

  31. This is the way of Imam al-Rifa‘i,

    standard of the spiritual folk, possessor of the proof.

  32. It came from the Prophet’s august presence, so take it

    in safety from the sudden assaults of time.

Sol 5.6