THE NAFS

There are moments when it swells like oceanic waves;
Envelops its spirit, like unbreakable rings.

There are moments when it calms down, like a cool spring;
At your disposal, like a most beloved darling.

There are moments when it wishes all should be its;
Give it the world, it’ll ask for more, faithless being!

There are moments when it is honest to darling;
Eyes in tears with sorrow, such a poor thing!

There are moments when it booms, all its sky lightning;
In a moment it burns many years’ earning.

There are moments, it’s an ocean, waveless, soundless;
Embarrassed, remorseful for all its wrongdoing.

There are moments when it’s Pharaoh, Sheddâd, Nimrod;
The condemned devil in veins, circulating.

There are moments, it’s so docile and contented;
World’s none in its eyes, worship is all it’s wishing.

There are moments, it roars like an angry lion;
Or a tiger, wounded, thirsty for blood-drinking.

There are moments when it’s so good, like a touchstone;
All its wishes concord with the Prophet’s uttering.

There are moments, it’s so cruel that the soul bemoans;
With its own wicked hands its grave it keeps digging.

O my heart, that nafs you have is such a menace!
Mind you don’t get entrapped by its fatal slyness!