'O you who ask to attain the Truth', a qasida by Sidi Hamza
Qasida (sung poem) written by Sidi Hamza al-Qadiri Butshish, may God sanctify his secret.
O you who ask to attain the Truth. Draw near! For realisation is obtained through my company
To the way of Allah is my invitation. Through my illumined vision and my awakening
The station of oneness is my dwelling. Through abstraction I obtained the highest degree
Whoever comes seeking my Presence, I cast him into the ocean of oneness by my energy.
The Lord granted me the gift of a Love which effaced from my heart the traces of duality
At the River of Holy Love I drink. A draught of all-power, of exaltation and bliss
When I awoke from my intoxication, I was called by the word of the Lord of all-power
He said: ’O Hamza! O Hamza! I am Thy Lord! Put off thy sandals and come unto Me!
Thou art an imam for the people; know then that thou hast a glorious mission, understand!
O thou wrapped in thy mantle, arise and warn! Thou must glorify Me! And purify thy garments!
Recite the Qur’an, recite it still, and with My command shield thyself, be patient
When it shall appear that the Word is addressed to thee, know that this is an authorisation resounding with power’
Then I arose, answering the call and calling out: Allah Allah, I have obtained my desire!
And had I not been a mercy for the creatures, I would have unveiled the secret of the Called and the Caller
The sun of realisation has shone from the depths of my heart. O marvel of a Hidden and Manifest One!
If I speak, My discourse addresses Me. And if I hear, there is no other speaker but Myself.
And if I see, My gaze falls upon Myself. All is light that reveals Me to Myself.
Then believe and surrender thyself to Me! And let thyself go like a dead man in My hands
Surrender thyself for Me, from Me and to Me. Through My love thou wilt reach a lofty station.
Awake, O you who are asleep! By order of the two Presences, I bid you rise!
Awake, O you who are asleep! By order of the two Presences, I bid you rise!
My spirituality is food for men. Thanks be to God for all eternity!
Of God I ask a blessed end for every wayfarer on the path of the noble
And prayer accompanied by salutation upon the supreme Reality, the moon at its full.
English rendering from the French translation by Hinda Boudiaf.
Further reading
- The spiritual testament of Sidi Hamza
- Sayings of Sidi Hamza on the wayfaring and the heart
- Qasa’id and sama’: the spiritual songs
