An Ode To Wine

1. Only with ablution I approach the wine
2. For in this tavern I shall meet the Divine!

3. My companions here all rejoice with me
4. And greet our Imam, the Cupbearer, Saqi!

5. With great relish I shall undertake this task
6. And drink it all, drop by drop, flask by flask!

7. And though the scholars may censure me
8. I do not care, for I am in ecstasy!

9. And if they threaten me with Shariah Law
10. Well, then I’ll drink a few more!

11. And if to the gallows the Courts send me
12. This is what my defence shall be:

13. "When the cup in the Beloved’s hand is hidden
14. Then, by Allah it is no longer forbidden!"

15. While the dry, narrow-minded scholars bicker
16. I shall continue to drink this liquor!

17. This wine the Najdi idiots do not understand
18. Not all can take, for it’s a special brand!

19. Their scholars I see a fatwa are writing!
20. The masses against me they’re exciting!

21. So, by Allah I’ll explain what I mean
22. And the truth clearly shall be seen!

23. Cupbearer, pour in the Name of Allah
24. Give me the brand of ’No god but Allah!’

25. This wine is unique, in bottles not found!
26. It’s drinkers however everywhere abound!

27. The grapevines in Makka are grown
28. When fully ripened, to Madina are flown!

29. In the Mosque of Ahmad The Blessed
30. The grapes are then carefully pressed!

31. From here some to Najaf are sent
32. At Imam Ali’s tomb, to ferment!

33. The rest are kept beside Bu’Bakr Sadeeq
34. To ferment here, for many a week!

35. When it’s ready the wine is inspected
36. In Baghdad it is selected, rejected!

37. This task to Shaikh Abdul Qadir does fall
38. That expert taster from Jilan, you’ll recall!

39. When the Ghawth is fully satisfied
40. The wine is exported, far and wide!

41. But those Saqis to whom it does go
42. Are few and far between, you should know!

43. Each Saqi drinks it according to taste!
44. Some drink slowly, others drink in haste!

45. The wine in my tavern is a perfect brand!
46. Matured to perfection by Shah Naqshband!

47. In it’s colour Saadiq’s knowledge you’ll find
48. The fragrance of Bayazeed’s ecstasy in kind!

49. It’s taste is amazing by Imam Rabbani, I swear!
50. One drop intoxicates all, everywhere!

51. From Sayyid Jamaat Ali’s hand it does pour
52. For this Amir, I’ll drink evermore!

53. And if I, inebriated, on my face do fall
54. My Shaikh helps me to drink it all!

55. Shaikh Sayyid Afzal Hussain Shah I toast!
56. He’s my Beloved Cupbearer I do boast!

57. So O’ Mullah that’s all I have to say
58. Now is this wine haraam, tell me pray?

59. I’ll end with this drunkard’s prayer:
60. If it makes the Mullahs sick, I don’t care!

61. Lord for your Beloved Darling’s Sake
62. This sinner a drunkard forever make

63. Allow me from Ahmad’s hand to drink wine!
64. Then I’ll thirst no more, by The Lord Divine!

65. Upon him and his family blessings do send
66. With this prayer Asif will end.