The Riddles, a poem by Ilia Abu Madhi translated by Andrew Ghareeb

[M.T. Al-Mansouri, Ph.D.]

In the early thirties of last century, the well-known Arab American Poet, Ilya Abu Madhi expressed his uncertainty about the purpose of life in his famous Arabic poem Attalasim, meaning “puzzles, talismans, mysteries, riddles”. In the introduction section of the poem, translated into English by Mostafa Malaekah , the poet says: I came not knowing from where, but I came. And I saw a pathway in front of me, so I walked. And I will remain walking, whether I want this or not. How did I come? How did I see my pathway? I do not know! Am I new or am I old in this existence? Am I free and unrestrained, or do I walk in chains? Do I lead myself in my life, or am I being led? I wish I know, but… I do not know! And my path, oh what is my path? Is it long or is it short? Am I ascending in it, or am I going down and sinking? Am I the one who is walking on the road, or is it the road that is moving? Or are we both standing, but it is the time that is running? I do not know! Before I became a full human, do you see if I were nothing, impossible? Or do you see that I was something? Is there an answer to this puzzle, or will it remain eternal? I do not know ... and why do I not know?? I do not know! The Talismans' Clues Poem (Fakkuttalasim) of Rabie Abdel-Halim: Few years ago, Rabie Abdel-Halim replied to Attalasim by the Arabic poem Fakkuttalasim (“Talismans Clues”) which was recently translated into English by : Aisha Musa Al Saeed and revised by : Eiman Al Khateeb. Here is the introduction section of this poem: I’ve come to this world fully aware how. I’ve come to this world for a reason; with guidance of the signs I’ve discerned. I’ve realized the mark and was guided. Wish they knew! How could people have missed it? Wish they knew! It is not a mysterious secret, that matter of existence. The whole universe is creativity that leads to God the Almighty. Land and sea creatures are evidence of His creation. Wish they knew! How could people have missed the rational? Wish they knew! Adam the grandfather, a prophet, is God’s, The All Capable, creation. He selected, directed, and called him the reminder. He granted him a world of knowledge so as to shed light. Wish they knew! How could people not see that? Wish they knew! Like my great grandfather, God has guided me through the faithful spirit. From messenger to messenger, we have received the ultimate words. In the light of truth we unravel the mysteries of the unknown. Wish they knew! How could they fail to follow its guidance? Wish they knew! God said: Be! And I became! And now I live! I’m master of my self-will. I’m free in my choice, be it right or be it wrong. They have missed the glaring truth! How could they? Wish they knew! I came, Not knowing My feet saw the way, And I walked there, And I shall continue Whether I so desire or not. How did I come? How see the path? I know not. Old or new, Is this existence ? Am I free Or fettered? Do I lead myself Or am I led? I wish I knew. I do not. And my path What is it? Long or short? Am I ascending or descending And sinking deeper ? Is it I who travel Along this path? Or are we two stopped And time that moves? I do not know. Would that I knew! While in the safe and unseen Did I know, think you? Think you That before I was born a man I was nothing Or was I something? Is there an answer to this riddle? Or must it be forever unsolved? I do not know; And why I do not know I know not. The Sea I asked the sea, Do I come from you? Is it true What some say Of you and me? Or is it a lie? The waves laughed And called: I do not know. Sea, How many centuries Have passed over you? Does the shore know It is kneeling before you? And the rivers, do they know They are rushing back to you? Whence did they come? What was it the angry waves said? I do not know. Sea, You send the clouds Which water land and trees. We ate you And said We ate fruit. We drank of you And said We drank the rain. Is this true or false ? I don't know. Sea, I asked the clouds If they remembered your sands, The leafy trees, Your kindly rains, And the pearls Their birthplace. Together I heard them say: I don't know. The waves dance. Yet in your depths A ceaseless war is waged. There you made fish And ravenous whale. To your bosom You have gathered Life and death; Are you cradle or tomb? I do not know. How many a lad and maid, Like Leyla And ibn-ul-Mullawah, Spent hours on your shore, Listening and confessing In ecstatic strains Their love. Is the sound of the waves A lost secret? I don't know. How many kings at night Built pleasure domes Beside you!. Then morning came.And found nothing but mist. Will they return, these kings? Are they deep in the sand? The sand said: I do not know In you, sea, Shellfish and sand. Shadow nor mind have you. And I have both. Why should I die? And you live? I do not know. Oh, book of time, Has time past or future? I am in time As a small boat On a boundless sea. Have I no goal? Has time? Oh, for knowledge! But how? I do not know. Sea, In my breast Are many secrets A veil fell over . And I am the veil. The nearer I come, The farther away I am. When I seem About to understand, I do not. I am a sea, too, Whose shores are yours, The unknown tomorrow And yesterday. And you and I Are but a drop In the fathomless deep. Don't ask What is tomorrow, What is yesterday. I know not. In The Monastery I was told In the monastery are people Who understood the mystery of life. Yet there I found nothing But stagnant minds And corpse-like hearts Where desire was worn out. I am not blind. Are others? I don't know. It has been said That those best acquainted with life's secrets Are the hermitage dwellers. I say, if this saying be true, Then the secret is commonly known. Strange, how veiled eyes Can see the light While the unveiled Cannot. I do not know. I entered the monastery To question the monks Only to find them As bewildered and amazed As I am myself. Despair Overcame them And found them submissive. Lo, on the door Is written: I do not know. Strange it is That the recluse , The all-knowing one, Should abandon mankind When among them Is the beauty of God For which he went Searching in the desert; What found he there, Water or mirage? I do not know. Recluse, How often have you disputed the truth. Had God intended When He made you That you should not love things beautiful, He would have created you Without heart or soul. Then is it evil what you are doing? He said: I do not know. Fugitive, It is disgrace to run away. Surely no good will come Of what you are doing , Even to the wilderness. You are guilty, A criminal With no reason for revenge . Shall God approve Or forgive? I do not know. 2. Clues To The Riddles (Talismans' Clues) A Reply Poem by: Rabie El Said Abdel-Halim As translated by : Aisha Musa Al Saeed And revised by : Eiman Al Khateeb I've come to this world , fully aware how. I've come to this world for a reason , with the guidance of the signs I have discerned . I've realized the mark , and followed it Wish I knew ! How could people have missed it ? Wish I knew !! It is not a mysterious secret , that matter of Existence The whole Universe is creativity that leads to God, Almighty . Land and sea's creatures are evidence of His Creation Wish i knew ! How could people have missed the rational ? Wish I knew !! Adam , The great grandfather , a prophet..., is God's , The All Capable , Creation . He selected , directed , and called him the reminder He granted him a world of knowledge so as to shed light Wish I knew ! How could people not see that? Wish I knew !! Like my great grandfather , God has guided me through the faithful spirit From messenger to messenger , we've received the Ultimate Words In the light of truth , the mysteries of the unknown are revealed Wish I knew ! How could they have failed to follow its guidance ? Wish I knew !! God said : Be ! And I became ! And now I live ! I'm master of my self - will I'm free in my choice , be it right or be it wrong They've missed the glaring Truth ! How could they ? Wish I knew !! The Sea : I had asked the sea one day : " Shall I answer the people on your behalf ? " The sea hence answered : Do , for I'm sick of all the slander !!!! You , like me , are God's Creation : filled with truthfulness Wish they knew ! How could they have forgotten such Truth ? Wish they knew !! O' Sea Let's not listen to their lies about you . See how the shore is aware that it must kneel along your side . See how the rivers have been directed , by God , to pour into you . I would imagine the waves , in their turbulence , exclaiming ; Wish they knew !! You O' Sea are great ! O' How amazing ! You are no captive ... Fie to those who think you are ! You O' Sea are obedient to your Majestic Creator Wish they knew ! How could they have called that captivity ? Wish they knew !! O' Sea , you comply with God's Will . Thus , clouds water our earth and trees Clouds that God transforms into heavy rainy ones Wish they knew ! Why didn't they endeavor to understand ? Wish they knew !! God the All Merciful , made you , and that which surrounds you , our source of living Then , He taught us how to get it and be thankful , And how to sail , fearless of your waves.... Wish they knew ! How could they have failed to understand you ? Wish they knew !! You Sea are as useful to me as earth and air Over you , the sun casts its warmth and light for my sky The darkness of the night is rest , after a long day toiling Wish they knew ! How could God's benevolence be forgotten ? Wish they knew !! Like me , God created you , and filled you with sand and shells And created me from water and earth , my origins Then I was honored with an intellect , and with a soul I prosper How can those honored with reasoning forget ? Wish they knew !! " O' Sea I'm a sea whose shores are yours " The longed for future ... And the long forgotten past You perish ... people are resurrected to Eternity there after How can we arrogantly forget , the Eternal dwelling ? Wish they knew !! " Many a couple like Leila and Ibnel-Mullawwah " As they listened to the wave's prayers at dawn Faith ululating in their hearts , declaring their love The waves have their prayers , did you know ? Wish they knew !! The Universe has a prayer of praise and remembrance Birds have songs of praise and gratitude The sea , galaxies , and flowers all praise Allah Wish they knew !....How could a creature forget his Creator Wish they knew !! " How many kings have camped in their domes , by your side in the night ?" " Dawn saw nothing of them ... but a mist !" There would come a day when they are brought , O' Sea to judgment Would their sovereignty be of any use then ? Wish they knew !! " O' Book of Time , tell me : Does Time has a before and after ?" " I sail like a raft on it , and it is a limitless sea " " I have no destination , but does Time plan my destiny ?" This is what they say ... but could they listen to my reply ? Wish they knew !! How could I know the unseen without guidance ?! Much exists around me , which I do not know of . A small bird may see what would escape my eye... Wish they knew...without guidance , how would I know !! Wish they knew !! Knowledge is fed into my mind by the five senses Without them , it is confined and confused How could I speak of what I'm unaware of : Life and Death ? Wish they knew ! How could some accept ignorance ? Wish they knew !! The world renders beauty , perfection and harmony ]Plants grow greenery from which we are sustained Sun's rays ripen most delicious fruits The Sun has a role , how could it be forgotten ? Wish they knew !! Plants grow greenery with which the air is purified Man exhales poison that transcends in plants' systems Replacing what is dangerous with what is useful Plants play a role , How could it be forgotten ? Wish they knew !! Plants grow greenery , and with it goodness prosper The elevated palms bear new date fruits providing sustenance Plants offer essence and syrups , all valuable Plants play a role , how could it be forgotten ? Wish they knew !! Plants grow greenery , that beautifies the pastures Cattle live happily , breeding in the fields Transforming plants into milk and meat for the hungry Cattle play a role , how could it be forgotten ? Wish they knew !! A moon whose silver light is enchanting , full of signs Attracting the Sea , causing the ebb and flow of the tide It travels in orbit ... from crescent to moon The moon plays a role , how could it be forgotten ? Wish they knew !! The Universe holds beauty, perfection, and unity No inabilities, no shortcomings, no hatred Man and Earth are in complete harmony The Universe has a God, How can He be forgotten? Wish they knew !! There is a bond between Land, Sea, and Skies How strong are the bonds! How could they have said: (it is but a coincidence )? How could they have said: (the Universe has no Creator )? Wish they knew !! The mind saw a sign in the Book of the Universe. Written. The Universe has but one God, Who has created and constructed. Minds have submitted to Him, that is how wisdom begins How could they have gone astray, when Truth is realized by mind? Wish they knew !! The mind saw a sign in the magnificence of Creation ... to follow The Universe has a God who has created and perfected But the mind is limited, while God's knowledge is vast How could the mind know the unknown without guidance ? Wish they knew !! The mind realized that God knows what is transcendental How could it lose hold of the right way ?! When God has revealed the endless Truth How could the mind know the unknown without revelation Wish they knew !! God has sent a Messenger to deliver endless knowledge Where were we ?! How did we come ?! Where will we go ?! Holy revelation from Him, a path to the Truth has been illuminated I wonder, how could a mind lead a different path ? Wish they knew !! The entire Universe was created for me ,O' Sea. Human life has a purpose. The World is no nihilence I live but for a role, to which I dedicate my words and deeds Thus, the mind guides, how could it hallucinate ?! Wish I knew !! Those who know most are those who know God The mind is never bewildered once it follows its path. Once he is guided to God, then the Truth will enlighten his heart. How could a mindful soul lose reasoning?! Wish they knew !! Nothing is a mystery to me, I'm never short for an answer I have no doubts , to the right path, my heart has turned. In God's Book is a code, I see to be true. Wish I knew why did they not follow it ?! Wish I knew !! O' Sea my chest is filled with amazing lights. Faith dawned from them, and I wholeheartedly welcomed. Thereupon, the closer I come the greater are my passions. Wish I knew , would I find others like me ?! Wish I knew !! Between The Graves: " I had told myself, as I stood in the graveyard ": " Did you experience safety and comfort elsewhere "? It replied: Here is my security, my luxury, and my tidings. Be ready, get your provisions , are you in doubt ?! Wish they knew !! O' Grave, speak......O' Earth, inform us. When you buried a body, and family and friends left , How did soul return to it , and he listened to the questioning? Graves hold a test, how could this be forgotten ?! Wish they knew !! I did ask a grave: Who is your winning guest? The rich ? The great ? Or, the strong is best ? A voice answered : Come, find out how much of his deeds are good? Graves hold a test, how could you forget ?! Wish they knew !! Graves hold either eternal joy, or everlasting torment. Our intellect lead us to God, The Most Bountiful The revelation was sent to guide to the straight path. O' Friend, how could the ignorant reject to follow ?! Wish they knew !! O' Friend, all those in the graves aren't equal. Some lived for the Benevolent the All-Forgiving, Others lived for the Devil of conceit. Wish I knew, What justice would make them equal?! Wish they knew !! Don't doubt , grave dwellers are no equals Some have achieved good, the light of revelation has lit their insight Others reaped evil, though they were lead aright O' Friend, how unjust, had they been treated as equals! Wish they knew !! Don't doubt, people here are no equals. Some are eternal in the gardens of Eden Others are eternal in the smokes of Hell There is Resurrection after death, how could it be forgotten?! Wish they knew!! Time in the graves is not wasted nonexistence Time, for us is age, fortune, and growth And the fruit of age is harvested after Death O' Friend, would you be saved before it is too late?! Wish they knew !! " O' Grave, speak ... and tell us , O' corpses. Death hadn't taken your dreams away, although you decayed. The record of deeds would remain, and we would reap what we've sown. And each gets what he has intended . Do you still doubt?! Wish they knew !! O' Friend , Death is but a route people have to traverse. From one lane to the other in unity and order It isn't extinction , we will be resurrected from ashes As we were first born, don't you believe ?! Wish they knew !! O' Friend , this is no hidden Talisman Ask an embryo, would it continue to live in the darkness with no light ? He was nothing before .Same will be the rebirth in the hereafter. Like this will be the recreation on the Last Day, and you still doubt?! Wish they knew !! O' Friend, The world is no eternal place. We transit past a grave , then Resurrection , then Judgment Day. And thence , real Eternity ... We've seen the Signs. Wombs hold the reminder, and what a reminder ! Wish they knew !! Wombs offer no drink , no food , no space. Wombs have no sun , no air , no light. They have nothing but a seed that did not initially exist Wombs resemble graves ! How can we forget ? Wish they knew !! Wombs hold signs , clear for those with thoughtful minds. How it was implanted , grew , born , and became independent From phase to phase , that's how the picture is completed A live image of resurrection , and you still doubt?! Wish they knew !! Don't doubt the next life , It's simple to understand Watch a newly hatched pigeon , learning to fly. It was dead in a shell from earth and lime. Wish I knew , how did it spring to life?! Wish they knew!! Don't have doubts ! Watch how night changes to dawn Watch , think , and contemplate , how the clouds irrigate the arid land Watch , think , and contemplate , how the earth flowers. How often has life sprung from death, how could we forget ?! Wish they knew !! The Battle And The Struggle: The accord in me radiates peace and serenity An angel of tranquility comforts me with love and harmony. Whenever I confide in God , my heart is joyous and is led aright. Wish they knew ! How could I forget resorting to God?! Wish they knew !! The accord in me radiates peace and serenity I know the revelation , and it helps in purifying residues off my heart. I have no doubts this world follows a system. For such doubts are but an ailment, of which many suffer ! Wish they knew !! The accord in me radiates peace and serenity I know lawful living , and detest what is forbidden. God has granted us light, those who pretend not to see are but lost. How could some love living in darkness?! Wish they knew !! I may experience the battle and struggle within myself. My doors are being knocked at by a cunning hunter. He holds temptations with embedded disaster I've never given in , how could I listen to arrogance?! Wish they knew !! " One day my heart was like a garden " " Filled with flowers , singing birds , and running streams" " Came the afternoon , I changed gloomy and dry as a grave" Satan filled the air with doubts?! Wish they knew !! I may suffer anxiety , animosity , or exhaustion But when I resort to God with my appeals Anxiety disappears and clarity dawns on me O' God , how can we forget appealing to you ?! Wish they knew !! Inside me , there is an angel of light and joy He is a source of charity , benevolence , and worship He defeats Satan's temptations , how obstinate he is ! What company ! What a good omen ! What more ?! Wish they knew !! O' Friend , Devils and Angels are not a fantasy Did you see electricity ? Or is it beyond your perception ? Do you see the air flow , how it purifies your blood ?! How can you reject all that you can't see ?! Wish they knew !! Don't doubt the existence of an outcast and of Angels This is the Earth , how vast ... with its stars and galaxies Contemplate , O' my friend , you will see creatures other than you . Why don't you contemplate the skies intensively?! Wish they knew !! O' You who are confused ! Return to being free and happy. Unlock the chains of doubt and submission to conceit Enjoy the firm belief that there is a Day of resurrection. So much evidence , like sun-light , to guide you through! Wish they knew !! O' You who are confused! Wake up at dawn to see a procession of light. Your inner heart calls you unto Allah , The Benevolent , The Acknowledger. Come and abide, return to the Truth, to an Al-Forgiving God. He who accepts repentance is calling! Would you answer ?! Wish they knew !! I forget nothing of my past life! I deny nothing of my future life! My life is my soul , and it will always be! My home after Death is Eternity ! That, for sure , I know !!