does not like. This work of mine proceeded from the effulgence of blessed Ramadan, [^1] so it is my hope that it will have an effect on the hearts of my brothers in religion and their tongues will utter a prayer of forgiveness for me, or recite a Fatiha, God willing.

[^1]:In fact, the date it was written is signified by the line, Najm adabin wulida li-hilālay Ramaḍān; that is, A literary star born of the two crescents of Ramadan. It makes 1337. [1337 according to the Rumi calendar. According to the Hijri calendar, it was 1339. 1st Ramadan, 1339 fell on 8th May, 1921. – Tr.]

The Supplicant

The Supplicant

My demolished grave in which are piled up [^2]

Seventy-nine dead Saids [^3]with his sins and sorrows.

The eightieth is a gravestone to a grave;

All together they weep at Islam’s decline. [^4]

Together with my gravestone and moaning grave of dead Saids

I go forward to the field of tomorrow’s future.

I am certain that the skies of the future and Asia

Will together surrender to Islam’s clean, shining hand.

For it promises the prosperity of belief;

It affords peace and security to mankind.

[^2]:This line is his signature.

[^3]:Since the body is renewed twice every year, it means that [each year] two Said’s have died. Also, this year Said is in his seventy-ninth year. It means one Said has died every year, so that he will live to this date. [Bediuzzaman died in 1379 according to the Hijri calendar, and his grave was demolished and moved in 1380. – Tr.]

[^4]:With a premonition of the future, he perceived its present state, twenty years later.