This is an attempt to translate a poem I originally wrote in Arabic, reflecting on the journey toward Allah.

Purify your heart, O critic severe, * and do not ignore what is clearly near.

Truth is Truth, unaltered and pure, * though others may try to make it obscure.

How can you declare tawḥīd aloud, * while remaining a slave to the lines so proud?

You’ve only grasped a science confined * to the outward creed of the Ashʿarīs' mind.

This is a unique path, so you must seek * its meanings from the Lord, sublime and deep.

Humans grasp from its truth only * visible forms and fleeting imagery.

The Shaykh is essential for every stride, * and the Name is nothing but pure divine light.

Foundations of knowledge that spiritually grounds; * its station is mighty and surely profound.

From it, the ranks descend and flow; * its essence baffles all who know.

In the divine name, you traverse the heights, * a mirror with no directions in sight.

An essence in itself, veiled in subtlety’s grace; * journeying through it alone, one finds their place.

Its pinnacle is the Ghawth who attains, * endlessly returning to God’s domains.

Hold to the Prophet’s wird in hand, * remembrance, the condition for fanāʾ’s stand.

Do not make ʿibāda your lord or station; * for openings come through the Shaykh’s permission.

Don’t seek—be the one who’s sought; * through discipline and obedience, all is brought.

The Beloved is the secret of the Loved Divine; * precedence marked by revealed signs in line.

Your seclusion lies within your heart; * the outward form is for your ignorance’s part.

Knowledge flows through divine decree; * “Be” and it is, as willed to be.

Through the Karkari, you will ascend, * self and other dissolve at the end.

You witness the beauty in sudden display, * the lofty essence unveiled this way.

The name and named, a single entity— * this is the hāʾ of divine identity.

As my Shaykh said in a verse of old, * a truth that remains in time’s stronghold.

Be annihilated, wholly erased; * in ignorance, poverty is embraced.

The full moon of guidance thus rises anew, * revealing the secret of khilāfa to you.

O lover, surrender your soul sincere; * erase the ignorance of your tawḥīd, faqīr.

Annihilate your nafs within His self, * and thus you become His vicegerent itself.

All creation rests within your hand; * your world is within your heart’s command.

Provision and will flow from here * the lām of all souls drawing near.

Fold your sun in prostration’s embrace; * in the heavens of transcendence, majesty’s place.

You’ll grasp the truth of everlasting stay * the realm storing eternal script in display.

This tablet is yours, none else’s place; * the pen is bound within its holy space.

The writer is unseen, realization deep, * etching the secret of layla you alone keep.

The servant remains a servant pure, * no matter how far they roam and endure.

They need the form to stay intact, * bringing creation’s realm all the way back.

The ego is here erased to naught; * those who claim it lose mercy sought.

The brothers are light of faith’s array; * read in the forms to connect and stay.

The gate of eternity we opened wide; * dwell there as you wish and abide.

Gather what’s yours, return renewed * with honey’s essence, wholly imbued.

The coming and going, cycle renewed— * you become the essence the Prophets knew.

Through knowledge’s truth, adornment gained, * after in likeness you were restrained.

Names appear as essences true, * no shirk there only reality’s view.

All abide in eternal single state; * to the Supreme Name no bounds relate.

The alif of eternity extends its flow, * ink on a tablet that never will go.

Your idhn remains from your Shaykh’s decree— * source of the dot of divine sanctity.

Prophethood and message, journey side by side, * with your master as you must abide.

This is the imam’s path to find, * not a throne with ranks behind.

Your tablet is written in love’s pure stream, * the essence of Ahmad’s truth supreme.

The glass will shatter by his command, * only if you remain in a humble stand.

Here you are with your Lord so close; * a moment of attraction, precious most.

In this nearness, you alone remain— * a secret of yours, without a chain.

In pure absoluteness you shall contemplate, * your words falling short to praise and narrate.

Essence shines in purest form * with righteous ones, in union warm.

Beyond all readings, a knowledge stands still * unknown except by the walī’s pure will.

Only my Shaykh holds its hidden keys, * and grants to whomsoever he decrees.

O Lord, by him, let us not stray; * nor from your blessings withhold our way.

The secret of union and fanāʾ’s grace * in loving al-Muṣṭafā's noble race.

This is a unique path, so seek * its meanings from the Lord, sublime and deep.

Humans grasp from its truth only * visible forms and fleeting imagery.

And blessings, O Lord, upon the one * who is the identity and dot from which all begun,

And upon his family, immaculate and bright, * and his companions, all steadfast in light.