BILÿL

Introduction
This short poem is an eloquent and sincere tribute of' ‘All«mah Iqb«l to Bil«l Ibn Rab«é R.A. for whom see Appendix I. No. 17.

Translation
As the star of your destiny ascended to shine
It lifted and brought you from Abyssinia to Hijaz

This alone made inhabited your desolate house
Better than a thousand freedoms is your slavery

That threshold not even for a moment you could leave
In some one's Love all torments you bore cheerfully

                The oppression befalling in Love is not oppression
                If there is no torment, there is no pleasure in Love

Full of Intellection like Salm«n¹ was your insight
The wine of sight used to increase your thirst

Like Kalâm you were in search of the Sight
Uwais² was tantalized for the power of Sight

Madinah was the light for your eyes so to say
For you this wilderness was the ñër so to say

Your longing for Sight continued even after witnessing the Sight
The cold heart warmed up but its breath did not rest even for a moment

Such a lightning struck your impatient soul
That your darkness was scoffing at the Mësa's palm

                "They captured warmth from the flame and struck it on your heart
                What a lightning of Effulgence they struck on motes of your efforts!"

The charm of your longing for the Sight was the embodiment of supplication
The continuous sighting of someone was your prayer³

Since eternity the Adh«n was the anthem of your Love
Prayer was the subtle pretext for the Sight

Happy was the age when Yathrib⁴ was his abode!
How happy was the time when common was his Sight

Explanatory Notes
1. S. Salm«n R.A -See Appendix I. No. 68.

2. S. Uwais R.A.- See Appendix I, No. 78.

3. Allusion to the ardent love of S. Bil«l R.A. for the Holy Prophet S.A.W.

4. Yathrib‑ This was the old name of Madinah Munawwarah.