The One with the Poem - Cleansing of the HEART

For a long time I treated my heart

Like a big trash can

Filled with vain desires

Like a pagan’s Kabah

Filled with idols

             Now I have emptied my heart

             Cleansed it inside and out

             Polished it all around

             For the new resident to come

             And live forever

 No one lives here any more

I have kicked everyone out

Neither there is lust

No tempting wealth

Nor false pride

Eyes have dried up

            All sores healed
            No pain no more
            there is no darkness
            Only “light upon light”
            I am sad no more
            I am filled with joy

My beloved has come
To live in my heart            

The new resident of my heart

Is the One who gave me the heart

Gave me feelings and love

Then took it away 

            In my heart now

            He will live forever

            Without any partners

            My heart will beat only for Him

            My lips will sing   

            Only for Him

            Song of “lailahaillAllah”

            There is no God except one God

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Presented at the 8th Annual Convention of International Association of Sufism at Freemont, CA, USA on 3/24/01.  Dr. Athar is on the board of Advisors for I.A.S.