Hakim Sanai (RA)
Translation – Labib Mahfuj Chisty
The mystic philosopher, poet of the path of love, one of the great Sufi writers of the 11th century, Mahatma Hakim Sanai (RA) (1044 – 1150) was born in the Ghazni province of southern Afghanistan. Initiated by the great saint Yusuf Hamdani (RA), he began his journey on the path of spiritual love. Sanai, a mystic of love, created a special genre of Sufi love literature and expressed the ultimate realization of mastery in poetry.
Glorious Guide
Then, in the obscurity
I saw an old man. On whose
face there was a great radiance!
You are the moon! I called. I asked,
Where did you come from?
He said –
I am outside all matter and space.
I am the eternal cause of creation!
With the urge to return –
I come to this land from time to time!
Carry the burning fire in your heart!
Burn yourself to ashes in this fire. Do not be afraid –
This is a fire that contains –
The fountain of eternal water!
He said –
If the animal spirit within you dies,
then it will awaken with great brilliance –
New power! Eternal flow of life! O traveler!
Follow me with humility.
I will glorify you.
He said –
Many more words! Silently!
A radiant love and luminous eyes
He gave me.
That great being! Truly the moon and the guide!
Translator – Labib Mahfuj Chisty
A blessed saying of Hakim Sanai (RA) –
The people of the world are like three butterflies flying in front of a candle flame. The first one goes very close to the flame and says, “I know what love is.” The second one touches the flame gently with its wings and says, “I know how love burns.” And the third one throws himself into the fire and is annihilated. Only he knows what true love is!”