by Abdul Rahim Gaudet

(A poem compiled from the Intimate Conversations of Khwaja 'Abdullah Ansari)

Ya Allah, there is no limit to Your grace.
There is no tongue capable of uttering thanks to You. Ya Allah!
Ya Allah, You are ever-present. Why then should I search?
You are ever-mindful. What then should I say? Ya Allah!
Ya Allah, You do whatever You desire.
What then do You desire with this poor wretch? Ya Allah!
Ya Allah, if my body is a sinner, my heart is obedient.
If I am an evil-doer, Your Mercy is my intercessor. Ya Allah!
Ya Allah, You cast pearls of purity into Adam's lap.
You smeared the dust of rebellion on Satan's brow.
These two natures You mingled together.
We humbly confess that we have done wrong.
Ya Allah, my heart labours for Your sake.
Were it otherwise, what use is a snuffed-out lamp? Ya Allah!
Ya Allah, I may not be among Your saints,
But like the dog of the Sleepers of the Cave,
I am at Your gate. Ya Allah!
Ya Allah, what grace is this that You have bestowed on Your friends?
Whoever recognizes You finds them,
And whoever finds them recognizes You. Ya Allah!
Ya Allah, the rose of Janna is a thorn in the feet of the mystics.
What cares he for Janna who is searching for You? Ya Allah!
Ya Allah, Your beggar is happy in what he does,
Because Your beggar is a king in this world and the next. Ya Allah!
Ya Allah, when there comes a trace of Your love,
All other loves fade away. Ya Allah!
Ya Allah, everybody fears the Day of Retribution,
But Abdullah fears the Day of Pre-Eternity
Because what You decreed in the beginning
Will never be changed in the end. Ya Allah!
Ya Allah, if I have not been a friend,
I have not been an enemy either.
Although I persist in sinning, still I confess Your Oneness.
No matter how much You take away from me,
I take nothing away from You. Ya Allah!
Ya Allah, You are the way-station, Your friends are the way.
Ya Allah!
Ya Allah, no tongue is capable of expressing thanks to You.
There is no shore to the ocean of Your grace.
The mystery of Your Reality is not revealed to anyone.
Lead us on that road than which none is better. Ya Allah!
Ya Allah, take me by the hand, for I have nothing to present to You.
Accept me, for I am unable to flee.
Open a door, for You open all doors.
Show the way, for You show all ways.
I give my hand to no helper, for all are transitory:
Only You abide forever. Ya Allah!
Ya Allah, Grant us protection that we may dwell in the lane of Your love;
Grant us a tongue with which we may render You thanks.
Ya Allah!
Ya Allah, Abu Jahl comes from the Kaaba,
And Ibrahim from the idol-temple.
Everything depends on Your favour: the rest is just pretext.
Ya Allah!
Ya Allah, by virtue of the fact that You have no need,
Have mercy upon the one who has no defence. Ya Allah!
Ya Allah, in our hearts plant only the seeds of love for You.
For these souls destine only grace and favour.
Send down on these friends only the rain of mercy. Ya Allah!
Ya Allah, smear our brows with the dust of shame,
But let us not be chastised with Your affliction. Ya Allah!
Ya Allah, by the sanctity of that name which You know,
By the sanctity of those attributes which You are like,
Hear our plea, for of that only You are capable.
For of that, only You are capable.
Ya Allah!

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