This is based on the Quranic verse where Allah guarantees his slaves “Remember Me and I Shall Remember you”. The poet is clarifying his doubt with Mansoor Al Hallaj, the Persian mystic saint who is well-known for his notorious utterance “I am the truth”, an apparent self-proclamation of divinity for which he was executed by the then Caliph at Baghdad. He was a student of Junaid Al Baghdadi who later dispelled him for his outspoken stand on divine secrets.
The verse stated above may give the reader an apparent suggestion that Allah will remember his slaves ONLY when he is remembered in return. This however is a misconception. Hallaj rebukes such a mean thought of the poet and explains that Allah recognizes the need of each slave and is merciful to all irrespective whether the slave remembers Him or not.
Narrated Anas (R): The Prophet (S) said, “Allah says: ‘When a slave of Mine draws near to Me a span, I draw near to him a cubit; and if he draws near to Me a cubit, I draw near to him a fathom. And if he comes to Me walking, I go to him running.’” [Al-Bukhari]
One day my soul wandered across Baghdad
And passed by the man who in Him went mad
I was wounded for long with a doubt
I bled without stop to find a way out
“O Mansur, unveil for me His truth
Did you not claim ‘I am the Truth’
Were you not killed for His love?
Had you not gone mad in his Love?
I have a question about Your Lord
To solve my mystery can you afford?
Why in His Book did He utter-
Remember me and you I shall remember?
Is He not the Merciful of all?
Is He not the Loving of all?
Is He not the thoughtful of all
Is He not the Lord of all
Why then He puts such a demand
We first, only then He shall respond
Is this the majesty of His Love-
For which you lost senses in crave
“O Mansur, unveil for me His truth
Did you not claim ‘I am the Truth’
Replied the maddened son of Hallaj
Who passed in Him stage after stage
“The heart is like a plain mirror
The dirt inside it sees in the outer
Your self is centered to its own
You see His Love too in ways mean
The King of kings is so Holy
His Love as sacred as His Glory
He remembers you and your state
Even when asleep are you night late
He ignores not your single need
Even when to Him you pay no heed
It is for your good Him you remember
He shall not ignore even if Him you forget
If you remember Him a bit
He shall mention you a lot
If you walk to Him slow
He shall run to you in haste
He loves you more
Than you can adore
He loves you more
None has loved you before
Therefore
Leave this shameful talk
And to Him begin your walk
Aug 17 2010. Inspired during Tarawih prayers
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