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THE T A R JU ilA X AL-ASHWAQ ( v ) 59

4. Sighs have risen aloft and tears are pouring over niy
cheeks.
5. The camels, footsore from tlic journey, long for their
homes and utter the plaintive cry of the fi’enzied
lover.
(). After they have gone, my life is naught but annihilation.
Farewell to it and to patience !

C o m m e n t a r y
1. ‘ The Upland,’ referring to God on His throne.
- 2. ‘ They are two contraries,’ etc. : he says, ‘ Inasmuch as
the spiritual element in man is always governing the body,
it can never contemplate that which is uncomposed apart
from its body and independently, as some Sufis and
philosophers and ignoi-ant persons declare.’ Hence the
wi’iter says, ‘ iny disunion will never be repaii’ed,’ i.e.,
‘ I cannot become united with Him who is pure and simple,
and who resembles my essence and reality. Therefore
longing is folly, for this station is unattainable, but longing
is a necessary atti-ibute of love, and accordingly I cease not
fi'om longing.’
3. ' My censor,’ he. the blaming soul
5. ‘ The camels,’ i.e. the actions or the lofty thoughts
—-since, in my opinion, such thoughts belong to the
class of actions— on which the good words
i.e. for the Divine Names from which they proceeded and by
mount to the throne of God. They ‘ long for their homes ’,

which they are controlled.
G. ‘ My life is naught but annihilation’ : he says, ‘ AVhen
the lofty thoughts ascend to their goal I remain in the state
of pas.sing away from passing away (*Lill ^ ‘ Lil’), for
I have gained the life imperishable which is not followed
by any opposite.’ Accordingly, he bids farewell to patience
and to the mortal life, because he has (juitted the sensible
world.