Wisdom comes from knowing wisdom. Wisdom means knowing oneself. If you do not know yourself what is the point of reading books? The point of reading is to know something real. Since you have read and do not know it, reading is useless. Don't say, "I've read, I've learned." Don't say, "I've worshipped a lot." If you don't accept the Perfect Man, all other works are futile. The meaning of the Four Books is clear and complete It shows itself in the first letter aleph. If you don't know what aleph is what do you know of reading? You recite every syllable of the alphabet. You say "Aleph," but how little it means. Yunus Emre says: "Hey Hoja, you've made a thousand pilgrimages but never been welcomed by a single heart."
If you've broken a single heart the prayers you make aren't accepted. The seventy-two peoples of the world could not Wash your hands and face. So many masters have come and gone. They migrated. Their ancient lands remain. They opened their wings and flew to Reality* not as geese but as eagles. A way is true if it's straight. An eye is that which can see the Real. And doing good even once is no small thing Can return a thousandfold. Yunus combines words as if mixing honey into butter. He's in business among people with goods of the highest worth.
* Al-Haqq, God, Reality.
Those who became complete didn't live this life in hypocrisy didn't learn the meaning of things by reading commentaries. Reality is an ocean; the Law is a ship. Many have never left the ship never jumped into the sea. They might have come to Worship but they stopped at rituals. They never knew or entered the Inside. Those who think the Four Books were meant to be talked abou, who have only read explanations and never entered meaning are really in sin. Yunus means "true friend" for one whose journey has begun. Until We transform our Names, we haven't found the Way.
I am a Sufi in the eyes of the people. I go around with prayer beads in hand. My tongue speaks of knowledge my heart doesn't accept. I wear a diploma around my neck, and yet my prayers aren't real. Worries occupy my mind and I can't keep my eyes on the Way. My speaking of knowledge is a kind of lie. I can't be modest pride never leaves my heart. Although I look like a dervish, I have no patience at all and I am full of doubts. Whatever goes in my ears never reaches the inside. Those who see me kiss my hand, they look at my jacket and hat. They think I am free from sin. Outwardly I lecture and lead prayers; inside, in my heart's bazaar are things even a sly man wouldn't dream of in a thousand years. Yunus, put your need in front of Allah. He is Generous He does not do what you do.
Before you're able to give your soul you Want the Beloved. Before you discard the rope of doubt you Want faith. You repeat "He who knows himself knows his Lord."* But you haven't known and you want to surpass the angels You're a child who Wants to jump on a horse and ride into the game without a polo stick. You don't know you're a pearl within mother-of-pearl. Without first ruling Egypt, you want the land of Canaan. Yunus, endure every trouble as Job did. Don't take the remedy before the pain.
* A saying of Muhammad's, peace and blessings upon him.
Sorrowful one, why do you go around in tears? If my Lord causes me to weep surely He will make me laugh some day. So many of the sorrowful landed here, then migrated back. If my lord causes me to weep surely He will make me laugh some day. This suffering is my dearest companion. When my sighs and tears rise up His gifts and kindness are the cause. If my Lord causes you to weep surely He will make you laugh some day. All the while, turn your face toward the Truth all the while, remember His name. He gives grief to those He favors. If my Lord cause you to weep surely He will make you laugh some day. Don't leave this poor head of yours in love or bloody tears will flow. He is generous, He even makes repairs. If my Lord causes you to weep surely He will make you laugh some day. Yunus, so many states before your eyes so many places to stop. Stop and call your Lord night and day. If my Lord causes you to weep surely He will make you laugh some day.
Don't advise those who aren't in love. The unloving, like animals, can't understand. Don't distance yourself from the wise but avoid the shallow. The ungiving disappoint God. They cannot see His face. Don't waste time on drab pigeons who consort with moles who avoid the deep-diving loon. Falcon and King, each praises the other. Even a weak falcon is a falcon still. And if you wash some dark stone for fifty years, you won't really transform it. The hidden sun, Muhammed, changed appearance Some say he died. He never does. Yunus, don't be stupid, mix with the mature. A fool who talks of spiritual things is still a fool.