Afflictions
 
On the path of “loving It” expect much afflictions [1]
Like Job, at rest and peace amongst the tribulations
 
If a hardship comes to pass, do not shun away [2]
Turn your face to Haqq and say: “We are content”
 
The sustenance for a lover is the calamities
How could there be any loving without miseries?
 
If you had a bite from the menu of distress
Wash it down with the fine wine of assent
 
With Its afflictions, Arefs are at home
For Its sake, these habits are formed [3]
 
Whomsoever was given a trouble in this life
First was given the contentment’s wine
 
For the righteous who walked the path of love [4]
Toils and comforts one, medicine and pain one
 
Travelers do not dodge about in troubles [5]
Once the trials show face, do not escape from problems
 
 
Language: Aref is an Arabic word derived from the root word ‘Orf’ which means to know or come to know and recognize something quite specifically. In the context of Sufism means to come to know one’s Self and eventually the Creator. ‘Haqq’ is researched and explicated in another poem please click on this line.
 
[1] If you say you love you need to prove with your actions. This is the responsibility and trust that comes hand in hand with love. For most of us of course, love is a word a passing breeze of desires. But if you truly love the Beloved, The Majesty shall throw at your face much trials and hardship.
 
Sanaa-ee, and this lowly author, dare not to ask “Why?”. Only to explicate and best to render “How?”, all these things happen and what should a lover do in response.
 
[2] As Ansaari taught us in the midst of all troubles there is the Beloved. Would you want to turn your face away from The Excellency?
 
[3] Hardships of this path are for the purpose of testing and verification. But if the Creator knows all things, why It needs to test us again? The test is not for Allah to know about our real intentions, but the test is to reveal to us what is in our own hearts and the people around us when they stake a claim to love.
 
Those who truly love no matter what comes their way they still love the Beloved. Those who are lying drop the love game and go back to their grazing.
 
I believe that love is love, and therefore even in your love of people you are tested the same way by the Beloved to prove to them and to yourself... who do you really love!?
 
Often we think we love someone, but in reality we do not. We are lying to ourselves first and foremost. The trials make the matter clear with a final verdict based solely upon the evidence of past events.
 
[4] If the love is pure in your chest, if truly you feel the love within you is from the Beloved, then all things become equal: pain and pleasure, distress and comfort, loyalty and betrayal, love and hate…
 
You will not understand this until Allah may break your heart with the betrayal of your loved ones. That is perhaps why the prophet of Allah Noah, his son betrayed him but even after his death (drowning in the flood waters) Noah loved him much. Your heart will break much so all things in life will be a plain field to walk through, with no obstacles to see with no obstructions towards the Beloved.
 
No matter whom you love, their love and beauty originates from the Creator and shall be preserved by the power of the Beloved.
 
[5] The lover faces the problems when they occur, where they happen and no matter with whom and for what reason they take place. The lover knows that in facing these tribulations he is facing the Beloved the most beautiful Creator of Heavens and the only deity worthy of worship.


Background: Emaciated Haitian sugar slave worker in Dominican Republic TODAY! Where are the brave lovers intoxicated by the love of the Beloved to free this man?


© 2003-2002,  Dara Shayda