An interpretation of Imam al-Haddad's poem:
Tell those who address me with censure and blame:
Leave me be, you who loves to beshame
If only you knew of the thing that befell me
O ignorant one, you would not have condemned me!
Do you not see before you my ailing figure
Betrayed by the disease of emaciation?
Tell me, for whom are these pains,
this passionate desire and perplexity?
Allah, my Lord, is sufficient for me.
Say what you wish, O meddler!
O those who dwell in the depths of my heart
For you, my affection and love is ceaseless
I give you control, O my gracious masters
Of the reins of my states in repose and disaster
Do not neglect one who has come,
by you, to soar among all of creation
And settles himself at the foot of your entrance
While hoping and praying for bliss and acceptance
Allah, my Lord, is sufficient for me.
Say what you wish, O meddler!
The gentlest breezes of Union have blown
From the side of a high sanctuary well-known
Their lights, they have burst; all darkness has left
In the realms of a heart that’s of all things bereft
Except its beloved and worshipped Creator
The One, the Real, its Lord, the Protector
Then its well-hidden secrets were duly unveiled
Alighting the tower of those who attained
Allah, my Lord, is sufficient for me.
Say what you wish, O meddler!
The Beloved and lover communed through the night
While the heedless censurer is veiled in his plight
He knows nothing at all of the meaning of love
Between Master and slave and the ardor thereof
Alas for him! What harm would it do him
to know those pleased with the Lord of Creation?
To know their place that is showered with praise
And Allah is acquainted with all that he says
Allah, my Lord, is sufficient for me.
Say what you wish, O meddler!
What do they say those whom nay-saying has drowned
Concerning the one with a heart that is sound
Who for all of the Muslims has mercy and pardon
And his singular purpose: a Generous Guardian
He looks at himself and he sees nothing more
Than a blameworthy slave who is flawed to the core
Were his Lord's providence not emblazing the way
He would surely pursue what is vain and be astray
Allah, my Lord, is sufficient for me.
Say what you wish, O meddler!
2010, Tarim
قل للذي قد لامني
by Sayyiduna Imam Abdullah bin Alawi al-Haddad (may Allah sanctify his secret),
sung by Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad (Dr. Timothy Winter).
Also present are al-Habib Sa'ad al-Aydarus ( muwasala.org/habib-sad-al-aydarus ), the martyr Dr. Muhammad Saeed Ramadhan al-Bouti (may Allah have mercy on them) and al-Habib Ali al-Jifri.