A Poem for al-Imam ash-Shadhili
Dedicated to al-Imam Abul Hasan ash-Shadhili Radiya Allah ‘anhu
By Muhammad al-Yaqoubi
This is a rough translation of the poem that I wrote yesterday (14th Aug.) on the way to the shrine of al-Imam Abul Hasan ash-Shadhili, may Allah be satisfied with him and may He allow us to benefit from his secrets and knowledge. The shrine is on the old hajj road in the southern part of Egypt five hour drive from Luxur through a town called Idfu. We were five - four people accompanied me from Cairo. When we were few hours away from the shrine, I found the words coming on my mouth so I jotted them down. When we arrived, I recited the poem before him in the blessed maqam where his presence was felt and it was overwhelming. I spent sometime making du’a for many people and I mentioned most of my student by name. The song in Arabic is written after the pattern of the famous song (ya imam rusli yaa sanadi).
Poem follows below…
The Qutb of all Qutbs throughout times is Abul Hasan ash-Shadhili; An Ocean of Secrets and an Imam of Guidance For whom the soul is the least price.
He led to the Master and climbed
in virtue to highest peaks
And brought in this discipline what
Made it more august than all branches.
Knowing Allah is his End,
So follow him through this path
And the Messenger of Allah is his Means
So, stick to his Sunnas.
The foundation of his way is built
On the Purification of the Heart from all stains So, journey with the Single Name O, You, Sufi! And seek assistance from Allah.
Be absent, and annihilate from all beings, as No one remains save he who is annihilated in Him; And enter the doors of the Unseen and ask Whatever you want, but guard the secrets
Drink the glass of Gnosis and taste
The Secret of Tawheed and be not
Make due the love for the men of Allah
And the love for the Imam of all of them Abul Hasan
Stick yourself to the pure thresholds
If you come to Humaithara, where is the home And in ‘Aydhaab stop and sink your cheeks in the soil And put your soul in the grave and a guarantee
Be thankful to Allah and pray on
Taha in secret and in public
And on Ahlul bayt all,
O friend and give salutations while you humble yourself
The son of al-Yaqoubi has come with
No claims, dressed only in the cloths of his coffin So, turn to him O my master And to all of us with your bounties
