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The Strength of the Shaykh

 

a Qasida on Shaykh Abdalqadir as-Sufi

 

by Shaykh Mawlay Murtada al-Basri

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Oh you who desire to know where the truth is

Look upon the Shaykh’s forehead, that is what you will see.

A light which shines over all mankind by his secret

Nourishing the Fuqara in the inward and outward.

If you are absent for years and then return to him

You will find time has not changed him nor bent his back.

You see him in this Mawsim – it only increased him

In courage, manliness and strength.

Time swore it would bring around another like him –

Time has not been true to its word.

By Allah, Oh you who have visited and seen him, Oh youth,

Have you seen a Shaykh anywhere like him?

Oh you Fuqara who have attended this Mawsim

He is the spring that satisfies the thirst of every drinker.

We drank from his glance which encompassed everyone,

So that no thirst remained after the encounter.

May Allah have mercy on our Amghari Shaykh

And Al-Fayturi, Oh Lord, in the Garden of Refuge.

And protect for ever, Oh Exalted God,

Our Shaykh and all those who follow him.

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