MAN AND NATURE'S ASSEMBLAGE

Introduction:
This poem deals with the status of Man in the Universe. The first eleven verses represent the old, pre-Islamic philosophies and the last nine verses illustrate the theory of Khudâ or the elegant status of Man. See Chapter 3, paragraphs titled "The Controversy of Waédat al-Wujëd and Waédat al-Shuhëd and "The Status of Mankind in the Universe and the Concept of Khudâ " for the non-Islamic and Islamic concepts on the matter. The climax is reached in the last verse. The following verse sums up the contents of the last nine verses:

(165) By destiny the plant and mineral worlds are bound
           The Mu'min only by the Divine Commands is bound

(Appendix III, No. 32)

Translation:
As I looked at the bright sun in the morning
I asked the assemblage of Existence' habitation

"You owe your light to the reflection of the sun
The water of your rivers looks like flowing silver

The sun has adorned your face with light's jewelry
This very candle has illuminated your assemblage

Your roses and rose gardens are pictures of Paradise
All these are the commentaries of Surah "Wa al- Shams" ¹

The dress of your flowers is red, of your trees is green
They exist in your garden like green and red fairies

The frill of your tent becomes golden
As the red clouds appear over the horizon


How pleasing to the eye is the red color of the evening's twilight
As if you have poured rose-colored wine in the evening's jar

Your rank is elegant, your grandeur is high
Everything yours is concealed in the light's veil

The morning head to foot is a song of your majesty
Not even a trace of darkness is there under the sun

In this habitation of light is my abode also
Why then is the star of my destiny burnt down?

I am far from light and imprisoned in darkness
Why am I so unfortunate, unlucky and sinning"?

As I was saying this a voice from somewhere came
From the sky's roof or the earth's expanse it came

"My existence is dependent on your light
Your personality is the gardener of Universe' garden

You are the assemblage of beauty, your picture I am
You are the Scripture of Love, your commentary I am

You have put my disordered affairs in order
You have shouldered the burden which I could not bear ²

My existence depends upon the light of the sun
And your splendor is not indebted to the sun

Without the sun my rose garden would be desolate
Instead of happiness prison would be my name

Ah! The one who does not understand the open secret!
The one prone to be entangled in the desires' net

Alas insensible! Confined to the material is your eye
N«z behooved you, but prone to Niy«z is your eye

If aware of your reality you would be
Neither unlucky nor sinning you would be

Explanatory Notes

1. Sërah "Wa al-Shams" : This is an early Makkan Sërah. It shows the beauties of Nature and brings home to Man the need for realizing his spiritual responsibilities. It ends with a stern warning to those who do not heed the teachings of the Holy Qur’«n about the Hereafter.

2. This is an allusion to the Holy Qur'«n 59:21, according to which, in his capacity of being the custodian of the Holy Qur'«n, Man has exhibited higher strength and fortitude than the mountains which are proverbial for their height, strength and firmness.