Down in the dumps?
You need something to raise your spirits. “Read the poem below several times,” Master Kayhan would say, “and you will feel all your troubles evaporate.” This uplifting poem was written
by the Sufi Master, Ibrahim Hakki of Erzurum.
by the Sufi Master, Ibrahim Hakki of Erzurum.
“Don’t turn your rose
garden into a briar patch!”
garden into a briar patch!”
—Niyazi Misri
1.
Bad things to good, God modifies
Think not He does otherwise
Always watched on by the wise—
What God will ordain, let us see
Whatever He does, well does He
2.
In God you should put your trust
Surrender yourself, find rest at last
With everything He does, be pleased
What God will ordain, let us see
Whatever He does, well does He
3.
Put in your heart of His strength a dose
Recognize what He doth dispose
Abandon what you propose
What God will ordain, let us see
Whatever He does, well does He
4.
He is the Compassionate Creator
He is the Benevolent Provider
He is the Wise and Divine Author
What God will ordain, let us see
Whatever He does, well does He
5.
The Final Judge in any claim:
Direct your prayers toward Him
Let go of your personal whim
What God will ordain, let us see
Whatever He does, well does He
6.
Don’t crave after a thing or cause
Don’t be stubborn if one occurs
It’s from God, do not refuse
What God will ordain, let us see
Whatever He does, well does He
7.
Since matters are in God’s hands, vain
Is any confusion or pain
He unfolds Wisdom divine
What God will ordain, let us see
Whatever He does, well does He
8.
All His deeds are superior
And in tune with each other
Everything He does is proper
What God will ordain, let us see
Whatever He does, well does He
9.
Keep sorrows distant from your heart
Find comfort instead in your Lord
Just leave everything to God
What God will ordain, let us see
Whatever He does, well does He
10.
Don’t deem justice to be malice
Surrender, don’t burn in the Blaze
Don’t give up or give in—patience!
What God will ordain, let us see
Whatever He does, well does He
11.
Do not say: “Why is this so?”
It is good that it is so
Look, see how the end will go
What God will ordain, let us see
Whatever He does, well does He
12.
Look down on no one, nor slight
Don’t give offense, don’t break a heart
With your ego never side
What God will ordain, let us see
Whatever He does, well does He
13.
A believer’s deed is never vice
A wise man’s way is never strife
A sage’s speech won’t agonize
What God will ordain, let us see
Whatever He does, well does He
14.
His patience is a grace on me
His ruling, my security
The Lord God is my deputy
What God will ordain, let us see
Whatever He does, well does He
15.
His name resounds in every call
His remembrance in every soul
His rescue is for one and all
What God will ordain, let us see
Whatever He does, well does He
16.
Just when your hopes are down to nil
Suddenly He parts a veil
He grants solace from every ill
What God will ordain, let us see
Whatever He does, well does He
17.
In each moment to each servant
Whether wrathful or beneficent
He’s at a task each instant
What God will ordain, let us see
Whatever He does, well does He
18.
Now Complier and now Preventer
Now Harmer and now Benefiter
Now Debaser and now Upraiser
What God will ordain, let us see
Whatever He does, well does He
19.
Now He makes His servant a sage
Now malignant, now virtuous
Over every heart He rules
What God will ordain, let us see
Whatever He does, well does He
20.
Sometimes He makes your heart empty
Or fills your spirit with beauty
Or makes you His loving devotee
What God will ordain, let us see
Whatever He does, well does He
21.
Simple one time, complex the next
Sometimes He makes your heart perplexed
Happy one moment, sad the next
What God will ordain, let us see
Whatever He does, well does He
22.
Sparingly eat, sleep, and drink
Give up carnality, it is junk
Settle in the rose garden of the heart
What God will ordain, let us see
Whatever He does, well does He
23.
Yourself with His creatures do not strain
Nor with your ego remain
You and your heart, keep close the twain
What God will ordain, let us see
Whatever He does, well does He
24.
With what is past, fall not behind
What is yet to come, don’t mind
Even in the present, don’t reside
What God will ordain, let us see
Whatever He does, well does He
25.
Unceasingly His name recite
Cunning and shrewdness, cast aside
Admire Truth, Truth articulate
What God will ordain, let us see
Whatever He does, well does He
26.
Isn’t it time you were amazed
Discover Him, yourself forsake
Cast away sleep, become awake
What God will ordain, let us see
Whatever He does, well does He
27.
Every word contains advice sound
Every object is much adorned
Every action is a godsend
What God will ordain, let us see
Whatever He does, well does He
28.
A symbol and portent are all things
A sign of good news are all things
A fountain of grace is everything
What God will ordain, let us see
Whatever He does, well does He
29.
Lend ear to anyone who speaks
Understand Him who makes him speak
And with all your heart accept
What God will ordain, let us see
Whatever He does, well does He
30.
The languages of things proclaim
“Truth, O Truth!” they all exclaim
Creation’s courtesy ascertain
What God will ordain, let us see
Whatever He does, well does He
31.
Yes, He has done very well
Of course He has done very well
Indeed He has done very well
What God will ordain, let us see
Whatever He does, well does He
—Ibrahim Hakki of Erzurum