Know Thy Beloved

The poet entreats Abu Bakr as-Siddiq in a dream, seeking the secret behind his highest rank in belief and the companionship with the Beloved.

I was torn between the both:
Do Flame’s light incite the Moth?

Do whereabouts of the Beloved
Influence how you behold him?

Is knowledge the drop,
Waters which love’s hope?

Is knowledge the throne—
Whereto Love’s power prone?

I sought an answer,
This mystery to decipher.

In the dream
Appeared as-Siddiq,
From whom the secret
Would break.

“What is the secret
Of your affinity—
Fortune came to stay
In your vicinity?

You are ranked
The highest in faith,
With countless bliss
Has the Lord granted thee.

What raised you
To this post, O as-Siddiq:
In both worlds
You became his host?

Your creed is
More stronger
Than all our faith
Put together.”

Came the reply,

“Know thy Beloved,
‘Tis what I say,
To Love thy Beloved
Every single day.

My faith did not sprout
In a day or two,
I mingled with Mustafa
For years close to.

I knew him untainted,
Well before he’s Prophet-appointed.

I knew his affection
With the folks,
And his honesty
When he dealt with the goods.

He became my
Today and tomorrow,
I followed him
As close as a shadow.

I learned his ways
As a child:
His speech
So sweet and mild.

None had the right
To address him by name,

And the Holy One
Who had the right
Always called him
By titles other.

He is the intense
Formula of scent,
Suffice who for all
Since his descent.

Learn about him more
To enter via Faith’s door.”

Oct 10 2010. Edit January 2024