Sunday, July 25, 2010

Ya Nafs (poem by Murabit al Hajj)




During his youth, Murabit al-Hajj authored a poetic didactic of self-
reproach and encouragement for his spiritual travel. He titled his
counsel "Ya Nafsu!" or, "O Self!" where he warns himself of the
dangers of heedlessness, disobedience and wasting time and reminds
himself of the bounties of Allah.

يا نفس قومي فارعوي وانزجري وفجأة الحمام منها فاحذري

ولذة الدنيــا جميعا فاهجري لاسيما الهجوع وقت السحر

Translation: Oh Self, Get up, abstain, restrain yourself and pay heed to sudden death. Abandon all worldly pleasures, in particular sleeping through the early dawn.

(Shaykh Hamza Yusuf mentions Murabit al Hajj has not slept through the time before dawn in over 80 years.)



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