Oh Claimant Of Understanding
The piece below is the English language translation of the Poem titled “Oh Claimant Of Understanding”. In it is an embodiment of great and priceless advice for those who ponder and cogitate. Do not be in haste chasing after the transitory pleasures of this mundane achievements. Always remember that Allah is the Most generous from amongst those you seek generosity from and Allah is the Most great from those who give and from whom you seek greatness.
Oh you who claims to understand
Oh brother, how long will you be deluded.
You tire yourself with sin and disgrace
You make mistake after mistake
Do not you feel ashamed?
Has not your old age warned you?
For certainly there is no doubt about its advice
But your hearing has not heard.
Has not death called you?
Have you not heard the voice?
Are you not afraid your time is running out?
So be warned and take heed.
For how dizzy are you in heedlessness
As you strut in arrogance.
And you focus on having fun
As if death is a myth.
When you anger your Master (Allah)
You feel no anxiety for that.
But if your ( worldly) efforts fail
You burn in worry
As you move according to your desires
Seeking any means to obtain money
And you forget the darkness of the coffin
And you do not ponder what will take place there
You will cry blood, not tears
When you see the reality and there will be no uncle or aunt to save you
It is as if I am with you descending to the gravepit as you are covered
And your family leave you be to a place narrower than a small hole.
And there lays an extended body only to be eaten by worms
That keep gnawing constantly until your bones decay
And after that your actions must be shown
Then over a path whose bridge is over the fire
For how many guided one became misguide
And how many mighty ones were disgraced
And how many scholars erred…
Saying : “The responsibility overtook me”
So do not be fooled by time..even if you are pleased and are delighted
For the heedless one will be attacked- by a snake that spouts venom
So humble yourself to whomever you meet , for indeed death will meet you
And ignore the one who abuses and do pay him no mind.
Let your soul increase in good – and leave off which leads to torment.
And embark upon the ship and avoid the fierce waves.
With this, I advise you, oh my Friend, for verily I have explained like one explains.
So glad tidings to the lad – that goes and takes heed to my ethics. Live in the world as stranger, for indeed the has no specific time of departure, he can depart at any moment. But do not forget your share of the world, you need to balance between the share of the world and that preserved for you in the hereafter. So do not buy your share of the world with that of the hereafter.