)*+"ٔ-.‫"!

('ء ا‬#$%"
)B%7*‫@) ا‬+A;B*‫و>) ا‬-.‫) ا‬48=*‫ ا‬2<'*‫;اج ا‬9 '47" #(‫ن ا‬+4809 2( '47" 2( ‫ن‬+456 2( )01*

The Poem ‘Beginning the Transcription...’ (in Māturīdī Aqīdah)

By Sirāj al-Dīn al-Ūshī

Translated by Ramon Ibrahim Harvey

)*ٓKL*+M I$%( '8H#=* )*+"ٔ-.‫) ('ء ا‬G 'F1*‫ل ا‬#E< ١

1. This servant says about the oneness [of the Lord of the worlds],

Whilst beginning the transcription of a poem like pearls:

‫ل‬+4V*‫ف ا‬+U‫ٔو‬+( ‫ف‬#U#"‫و‬ I<'S +@-.#" Q0R*‫ ا‬O*ٕ‫ا‬ ٢

2. Eternal is our Master, the God of creation,

And described with all the qualities of perfection.

‫ل‬KL\*‫'ر ذو ا‬E4*‫ ا‬Q7*‫ ا‬#X ;"ٔ‫ ا‬YM ;('4*‫) ا‬7*‫ ا‬#X ٣

3. He is Ever-Living, the Arranger of every matter,

He is the Real, the Apportioner, Possessing Majesty.

‫ل‬+74*+( ab;< `8* 2V*‫و‬ _8FE*‫; وا*^; ا‬8R*‫";<' ا‬ ٤

4. He wills the good and the evil most foul,

But is not pleased with the latter―impossible!

 ‫ل‬+hB@‫اه ذا ا‬#9 ‫;ا‬8A -.‫و‬ ‫ ذات‬286 ef8* O0*‫ت ا‬+BU ٥
5. The Attributes of God are neither the same as His Essence,

Nor other than Him, so that there could be separateness.

‫وال‬l*‫ت ا‬+@#h" ‫ت‬+4<'S ‫;ا‬k ‫ل‬+1Gٔ-.‫ات و ا‬j*‫ت ا‬+BU ٦

6. The Attributes of the Essence and Actions, altogether,

Are protected from leaving existence―ever.

)*+r ef*‫ت ا‬+pq 26 +o‫وذا‬ +8>-.+M -. +n8> O0*‫) ا‬4f@ ٧

7. We name God an entity, but not like other entities,

From the six directions, His Essence is entirely free;

‫; آل‬8r ‫;ة‬8hF*‫ ا‬YXٔ‫*'ى ا‬ a4f40* ‫;ا‬8A I9-.‫` ا‬8*‫و‬ ٨

8. And the [Divine] Name is no other than Who is named,

For the people of inner-sight, the best community acclaimed.

‫ل‬+4=>‫ ذو ا‬w1(‫ و‬YM -. ‫و‬ Ifq‫; ر() و‬X#q ‫ إن‬+" ‫و‬ ٩

9. My Lord is neither a material body, nor its particles,

Neither a complex structure, nor the parts of it all.

)*+r 2(‫ ا‬+< ‫ي‬l\=*‫ ا‬yU‫ و‬KL( ‫ء‬lq ‫ن‬#M QH ‫ن‬+X‫ٔذ‬-.‫) ا‬G ‫و‬ ١٠
10. (Yet, rational minds establish particles existable,

Such that they are not described as further divisible.)

 ‫ل‬+E4*‫` ا‬%q 26 ‫م ا*;ب‬KLM a*+1o +S#0R" ‫;آن‬E*‫ ا‬+"‫و‬ ١١
11. The Qur’an is not created; but rather transcendence

separates the Lord’s speech from human utterance.

‫ل‬+ho‫ و ا‬2V4=*‫ ا‬yU‫ و‬KL( 2V* ‫;ش‬1*‫ق ا‬#G ‫;ش‬1*‫ورب ا‬ ١٢

12. The Lord of the Throne is above it [without direction]

And without attributing settlement or connection.

a*+Xٔ-.‫ف ا‬+%Uٔ‫ ذاك ا‬26 2hG +pq‫ و‬24H;0* O8F^=*‫ ا‬+"‫و‬ ١٣

13. There is no similitude for al-Raḥmān in any regard,

Protected from this are Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jamāʿat.

‫ل‬+7( ‫ال‬#Hٔ‫ن وا‬+"‫وأز‬ eS‫ن و‬+<'*‫ ا‬a06 )€4< -.‫و‬ ١٤

14. Time does not pass the Requiter by,

Nor ages and states seen with the mortal eye.

‫ل‬+q‫ث أو ر‬+@ٕ‫د ا‬-.‫وأو‬ ‫ء‬+f@ 26 )p*ٕ‫ ا‬2‚=f" ‫و‬ ١٥

15. My God is beyond need of anyone:

Wives or children―daughters or sons;

)*+14*‫ل وذو ا‬KL\*‫;د ذو ا‬Bo ;h@‫ن و‬#6 ‫ ذي‬YM 26 ‫ا‬jM ١٦

16. Likewise, all those offering assistance or victory,

Singular is the Possessor of Majesty and Sublimity.

 ‫ل‬+hR*‫ ا‬QG‫ و‬a06 Ip<l\8G )87< I… ‫;ا‬pS Q0R*‫ ا‬e84< ١٧
17. He gives death to the creation by His authority,

Then returns them to life, requiting by their qualities.

‫ل‬+V%*‫( ا‬١)‫ر إدراك‬+BV0*‫و‬ a41@‫ت و‬+%q ;8R*‫ ا‬YXٔ-. ١٨

18. For the people of goodness, Paradise and ennoblement,

For the rejectors of faith, degrees of punishment!

‫ل‬+E=@‫ ا‬YXٔ‫ ا‬+4X#0Xٔ‫ ا‬-.‫و‬ ‫ن‬+%\*‫ ا‬-.‫ و‬I87\*‫ ا‬a%B< -.‫و‬ ١٩

19. Heaven and Hell are never to cease,

And their inhabitants are never to leave.

‫ل‬+5" 2" ‫;ب‬b‫وإدراك و‬ y8M ;8‚( ‫ن‬#%"†4*‫<;اه ا‬ ٢٠

20. The believers will see God, without modality,

Perceptual limits, or image struck metaphorically.

‫ال‬l=6-.‫ ا‬YXٔ‫;ان ا‬fr +8G ‫ إذا رأوه‬I81%*‫ن ا‬#f%8G ٢١

21. Forgetting their Paradisial blessings, when He is seen,

So woe upon you O [denying] Muʿtazilīs!

.‫ر‬+%*‫ت ا‬+EFk ‫ن‬#V8G ‫‡ درك‬4q #pG ‫! أدراك‬Rf@ )G ‫( و‬١)

 )*+1=*‫'س ذي ا‬E4*‫دي ا‬+p*‫ ا‬a06 ‫=;اض‬G‫_ ذا ا‬0U‫ ا‬Y1G ‫ إن‬+"‫و‬ ٢٢
22. Doing the best for His servants is not obligated

Upon the Guide, the Holy, the One Exalted.

‫ال‬#%*+( ‫;ام‬M ‫ك‬KL"ٔ‫وا‬ Y9‫ ر‬Q<'ho ‫زم‬-. ‫;ض‬G‫و‬ ٢٣

23. It is necessary to affirm the prophetic emissaries,

And the noble angels, [divine] beneficiaries;

‫ل‬+4q ‫) ذي‬4>+X )F@ a014*‫'ر ا‬h*+( ‫ل‬#9;*‫ ا‬I=r‫و‬ ٢٤

24. And the seal of the Messengers, the first in creation,

The Hāshimī Prophet complete in his perfection;

‫ل‬KL=r‫ ا‬KL( ‫ء‬+8BUٔ-.‫ج ا‬+o‫و‬ ‫ف‬KL=r‫ ا‬KL( ‫ء‬+8F@ٔ-.‫م ا‬+"ٕ‫ا‬ ٢٥

25. The leader of the prophets without controversy,

And the crown of the saints without deficiency.

‫ل‬+7o‫"! وار‬+8E*‫م ا‬#< a*ٕ‫ا‬ eS‫ و‬YM )G O6;> ‫ق‬+(‫و‬ ٢٦

26. His revealed law persists in every era,

Until the Day of Resurrection after our departure.

)*‫ا‬#6 ‫ر‬+Frٔ‫ ا‬Š@ O8BG ‫'ق‬U‫;اج و‬1" ;"ٔ‫ ا‬QH‫و‬ ٢٧

27. The Heavenly Ascension was a reality and truth,

Reports of high authority provide ample proof.

 ‫ل‬+F\*+M ;‹+FV*‫ب ا‬+7Uٔ-. ;8r YXٔ‫! ا‬6+B> #q;"‫و‬ ٢٨
28. The intercession of the pious is the fervent hope

Of those carrying mortal sins like crushing stones.

‫ال‬l1@‫'ا وا‬46 ‫ن‬+8h1*‫ ا‬26 ‫ن‬+"ٔ‫ ا‬aB* ‫ء‬+8F@ٔ-.‫وإن ا‬ ٢٩

29. The prophets are certainly protected

From wilful sin and being deselected.

‫ل‬+1=G‫ ذو ا‬ŠR> ‫' و‬F6 -.‫و‬ a5@‫ ٔا‬ŒS +8F@ e@+M +"‫و‬ ٣٠
30. Never once has a prophet been a female,

And neither a slave, nor a teller of tall tales.

‫'ال‬q 26 ‫ر‬jH+G ‫ن‬+4E* ‫ا‬jM +8F@ ‫;ف‬1< I* 28@;E*‫وذو ا‬ ٣١

31. Dhul-Qarnayn was never known as a prophet,

The same for Luqmān, so be warned of argument!

‫ل‬+Fr ‫) ذي‬E> ‫ل‬+q'* ‫ي‬#=< I… )oٔ+< ‫ف‬#9 af86‫و‬ ٣٢

32. One day ʿĪsā shall come and bring destruction

To the wretched Dajjāl, sower of corruption.

‫ال‬#%*‫ ا‬YXٔ‫ ا‬IpG ‫ن‬#M +p* +8@‫ ('ار د‬a*#*‫ت ا‬+"‫;ا‬M ٣٣

33. The miracles of the saintly in the worldly abode

Are real, because they are a people bestowed.

 ‫ل‬+7=@‫) ا‬G -.#9‫ أو ر‬+8F@ ‫;ا‬X‫ د‬ŒS )*‫ و‬Y€B< I*‫و‬ ٣٤
34. Yet never can a saint in all of time’s measure,

be presumed better than a prophet or messenger.

‫ل‬+4=H‫; ا‬8A 2" ‫ب‬+7Uٔ-.‫ ا‬a06 )0q ‫ن‬+7q‫ ر‬Q<'h0*‫و‬ ٣٥

35. [Abū Bakr] al-Siddīq has an excellence manifest

Over the other companions without doubtfulness.

)*+6 2<‫ر‬#%*‫ن ذي ا‬+456 a06 Y€G‫ن و‬+7q‫روق ر‬+B0*‫و‬ ٣٦

36. [ʿUmar] al-Fārūq has an excellence and grace

Over ʿUthmān Dhul-Nurayn, ranked in high place.

‫ل‬+=E*‫ ا‬yU )G ‫;ار‬V*‫ ا‬2" ‫;ا‬8r ‫ن‬+M +EH 2<‫ر‬#%*‫وذو ا‬ ٣٧

37. And, with certainty, the good of Dhul-Nurayn,

Precedes [ʿAlī], returner to the battle lines again and again.

a*+Fo -. ‫;ا‬k ‫ر‬+8Aٔ-.‫ ا‬a06 ‫ا‬jX '1( Y€G ‫;ار‬V0*‫و‬ ٣٨

38. Yet this keen returner, has a grace after these three men,

Ahead of all others, so [against him] do not contend!

‫ل‬KLR*‫ ا‬w1( )G ‫;اء‬Xl*‫ ا‬a06 I06+G ‫ن‬+7q;*‫! ا‬E<'h0*‫و‬ ٣٩

39. Know that, in some aspects, [Aʾishah] al-Siddīqah

Has a degree of excellence over [Fāṭimah] al-Zahrāʾ

 )*+A ‫;اء‬A ٕ-.‫) ا‬G ‫ر‬+5V4*‫ى ا‬#9 ‫ت‬#" '1( ‫<'ا‬l< 210< (٢)I*‫و‬ ٤٠
40. No-one would have cursed Yazīd after his death,

Except for the incitement of garrulous extremists.

‫ل‬+h%*+M Y‹-.'*‫اع ا‬#@ٔ+( ‫ر‬+F=6‫' ذو ا‬0E4*‫ن ا‬+4<ٕ‫وا‬ ٤١

41. To the simple faith of the believer attention is paid,

Due to many types of evidence like trenchant blades.

)*+6ٔ-.‫ و ا‬YG+9ٔ-.‫ق ا‬KLR( Yp\( YE6 ‫ي‬j* ‫ر‬j6 +" ٤٢

42. Yet, the person of intellect has no excuse at all,

For ignorance of the Creator of the great and small.

‫ل‬+5="-.‫' ا‬EB* ‫ل‬#FE4( ‫ٔس‬+( ‫ل‬+H ŠR> ‫ن‬+4<ٕ‫ ا‬+"‫و‬ ٤٣

43. The sudden faith of a person in their death throes

Is not accepted, as it is merely a forlorn hope.

‫ل‬+U#*‫;وض ا‬B" ‫ن‬+4< ٕ-.‫ ا‬2" ‫ب‬+fH )G ;8r ‫ل‬+1Gٔ‫ ا‬+"‫و‬ ٤٤

44. The actions of good are not to be reckoned

As part of faith, but are obliged from its connection.

.2* !Rf@ )G ‫( و‬٢)

 ‫ال‬l=r‫ وا‬Y=E( ‫; أو‬p1( ‫'اد‬o‫; وار‬BV( a€E< -.‫و‬ ٤٥
45. And not to be judged with disbelief or apostasy,

Are the fornicator, the killer, and the seizer of property.

‫ل‬KLf@‫ ذا ا‬QH 2<‫ د‬26;h< ;X‫' د‬1( ‫'ادا‬o‫ ار‬#%< 2"‫و‬ ٤٦

46. Yet, he who intends apostasy after a period of time,

Becomes from the true religion secretly declined.

‫ل‬+B=A+( 2<‫ع رد د‬#•( ‫د‬+E=6‫; ا‬8A 2" ;BV*‫ ا‬ŽB* ‫و‬ ٤٧

47. And freely uttering disbelief without believing it,

Leads to the loss of religion through heedlessness.

‫ل‬+\o‫ر‬+( #‚0<‫ي و‬jp< +4( ;V9 ‫ل‬+H ;BV( IV7< -.‫و‬ ٤٨

48. Though disbelief is not judged for the one intoxicated,

speaking delirious nonsense off the top of their head.

‫ل‬KLp*‫ ا‬24< )G ‫ح‬-. OEB* +n8>‫ و‬+8‹;" ‫'وم‬14*‫ ا‬+"‫و‬ ٤٩

49. The non-existent is not seen―it is not anything,

This is evident to one insightful, immersed in blessing.

‫ل‬+7=M-. ‫ه‬jr 2<#V=*‫"‡ ا‬ ‫^)ء‬M -. ‫ن‬#V4*‫;ان ا‬8A‫و‬ ٥٠

50. What is created is not the same as the act of creation,

They are distinguished, so receive illumination!

 )*+S YM )*+E" ‫;ه‬V< ‫وإن‬ YH Y5" ‫ رزق‬e7f*‫وإن ا‬ ٥١
51. The lawful and unlawful are both God’s provision,

Even if my words bring about hateful derision.

‫†ال‬f*+( ŠR> YM a0F89 )(‫' ر‬8H#o 26 ‫'اث‬qٔ-.‫) ا‬G‫و‬ ٥٢

52. In the graves, a question will be brought―

To every person―regarding the oneness of my Lord.

‫ل‬+1B*‫ء ا‬#9 2" ;FE*‫اب ا‬j6 a€E< ‫ق‬+fB*‫ر وا‬+BV0*‫و‬ ٥٣

53. Disbelievers and sinners have punishment prescribed

In the graves, deserved on account of their evil lives.

‫ل‬+"ٓ-.‫ ا‬YXٔ‫ ا‬+< 24H;*‫ ا‬2" Y€G ‫ت‬+%\*‫) ا‬G ‫س‬+%*‫ل ا‬#r‫د‬ ٥٤
54. Entry into Paradise is an act of mercifulness,

From the Most Merciful, O people of hopefulness.

‫ل‬+(‫ و‬26 ‫;ز‬7=*+( ‫ا‬#@#VG QH ‘1F*‫' ا‬1( ‫س‬+%*‫ب ا‬+fH ٥٥

55. In truth, mankind will be accounted after resurrection,

So, from engaging in sins you must seek protection.

‫ل‬+4^*‫; وا‬p“ #7@ +€1(‫و‬ a%4< #7@ +€1( ’=V*‫ ا‬a•1<‫و‬ ٥٦

56. The books will be given to some in the right hand,

And others behind the back and in the left hand.

 ‫ل‬+F=X‫ ا‬KL( ‫;اط‬h*‫ ا‬2=" a06 ‫;ي‬q ‫ل و‬+46ٔ‫ وزن ا‬QH‫و‬ ٥٧
57. A reality―without lie―is the weighing of the deeds,

And running on the back of the Bridge at varying speeds.

‫ل‬+F\*+M ;‹+FV*‫ب ا‬+7Uٔ-. ;8r YXٔ‫! ا‬6+B> #q;"‫و‬ ٥٨

58. The intercession of the pious is the fervent hope

Of those carrying mortal sins like crushing stones.

‫ل‬KL€*‫ب ا‬+7Uٔ‫ ا‬O8B%< 'S‫و‬ •80( ;8…ٔ+o ‫ات‬#6'0*‫و‬ ٥٩

59. Supplications carry a penetrating influence,

Those negating this are people of misguidance.

‫ال‬j=q+( ‡49+G ‫ن‬#V*‫ ا‬I<'6 a*#8p*‫'<‘ وا‬H +@+8@‫ود‬ ٦٠

60. Our world is created from nothingness,

‘Primordial matter’ was never in existence.

)*‫ا‬#r ‫ال‬#Hٔ‫ "; ا‬+p806 ‫ن‬#M ‫;ان‬8%*‫ت وا‬+%\0*‫و‬ ٦١

61. The Gardens and Fires are already created,

Countless years have passed while they have waited.

‫ل‬+1=>‫) دار ا‬G ’@j*‫(^†م ا‬ +48E" aEF< -. ‫ن‬+4< ٕ-.‫وذو ا‬ ٦٢

62. The possessor of faith will not forever dwell

Through the misfortune of sin, in the realm of Hell.

 ‫ل‬KL7*‫; ا‬7f*+M YV^*‫('<‡ ا‬ +4$@ '8H#=0* efF*ٔ‫' ا‬E* ٦٣
63. I have clothed [the subject of] unicity in poetry,

Of wondrous form, like legitimate [verbal] sorcery;

‫ل‬-.l*‫ء ا‬+4*+M ‫) ا*;وح‬87<‫و‬ ‫^;ى (;وح‬F*+M ’0E*‫) ا‬0f< ٦٤

64. To give solace to the heart like glad tidings of security

And revive the spirit like water’s sweet purity;

‫ل‬+%4*‫ف ا‬+%Uٔ‫` ا‬%q ‫ا‬#*+%o ‫دا‬+E=6‫ وا‬+$BH O8G ‫ا‬#b#RG ٦٥

65. So plunge into it with memorisation and strong faith,

Attaining from that each and every type of grace.

‫ﺑﺬﻛﺮ ﺍاﻟﺨﻴﯿﺮ ﻓﻲ ﺣﺎﻝل ﺍاﺑﺘﻬﺎﻝل‬ ‫ﻭوﻛﻮﻧﻮﺍا ﻋﻮﻥن ﻫﺬﺍا ﺍاﻟﻌﺒﺪ ﺩدﻫﺮﺍا‬ ٦٦

66. Be of assistance to this poor servant when you can,

By mentioning good at the time of your supplication.

‫ٓل‬+4*‫) ا‬G ‫دة‬+1f*‫ ا‬O8•1<‫و‬ Y€B( ‫ه‬#B1< O0*‫ ا‬Y1* ٦٧

67. Perhaps God will pardon him by His generosity,

Then, as a final consequence, grant him felicity.

)* +6‫' د‬S +"#< ;8R*+( 24* )19‫ و‬O%M #6‫; ٔاد‬X'*‫وإ@) ا‬ ٦٨

68. And the most expansive facility―all my life I pray―

Will be granted to whoever prayed for me a single day.