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I have always been a avid fan of Sufi poems, for they are words with immense depth of meaning in them, for those whom lavish on words, becoming a playground tools for your imagination, then join me in indulging in the beauty of the poems pluck out from the garden of poetry planted by two famous poets, Jalalud’din Rumi (Mystic poet) and Rabia al Basri (female poet). The reason why I like Rumi is because I crave the sheer elation that must have welled up from his heart when he began to sing his poems of truth and beauty. But most of all, I recognize in Rumi what is the very essence of the world’s wisdom traditions. He has dispelled the chimera of ego, relinquishing the last and greatest fetter of the spirit. To see through that illusion and to live one’s life free of it—that to me is the Birth, Being, and the belonging of oneself. I think this is why I find old Sufi so intriguing yet gentle with its content. Being able to relate to every bit of his statement is being able to dream something which you would be able to breathe in truthfully. As for Rabia, the word that is conveyed from her heart speaks of purity and truth. Her poems never fail to bring out the piety she had towards life itself. Below are some poems which I would like to share.

Die before you die (Rabia Al Basri)

DIE BEFORE YOU DIE

Ironic, but one of the most intimate acts
of our body is
death.

So beautiful appeared my death – knowing who then I would kiss,
I died a thousand times before I died.

“Die before you die,” said the Prophet

Muhammad.

Have wings that feared ever
touched the Sun?

I was born when all I once
feared – I could
love.

Here I am (Rumi)- one of my classic Fav!

All night, a man called “Allah”-

Until his lips were bleeding.

Then the Devil said, “Hey! Mr Gullible!

How comes you’ve been calling all night

And never once heard Allah say, “Here, I am”?

You call out so earnestly and, in reply, what?

I’ll tell you what. Nothing!”

The man suddenly felt empty and abandoned.

Depressed, he threw himself on the ground

And fell into a deep sleep.

In a dream, he met Abraham, who asked,

“Why are you regretting praising Allah?”

The man said, “ I called and called

But Allah never replied, “Here I am.”

Abraham explained, “Allah has said,

“Your calling my name is My reply.

Your longing for Me is My message to you.

All your attempts to reach Me

Are in reality My attempts to reach you.

Your fear and love are a noose to catch Me.

In the silence surrounding every call of “Allah”

Waits a thousand replies of “Here I am.”