What a Human Is, Now I Know

by Muhyiddin Abdal

English version by Jennifer Ferraro & Latif Bolat

Original Language Turkish



They’re always talking about human, human —

What a human being is, now I know.

They are always discussing heart, the heart —

What the heart is, now I know.

Within the heart of the believer it was found —

it wasn’t found anywhere outside.

We found it in our own vast selves.

What faith is, now I know.

This is how they pick the wheat from the chaff,

and where your words and deeds must speak for you.

This is where the wise ones guide the Path —

What the essence of this Sufi way is, now I know.

What the pious fearful carry like baggage,

why they shoot their arrows at the faithful,

What they hide and trumped in nice language —

What doubt is, now I know.

Given all these attributes, I became a person.

Through God’s vastness I was forgiven everything.

I found absolute oneness with Reality.

What the guest is, now I know.

I said to my inner self Be humble,

and the Glorious One showered me in blessings;

There was a sign that seared me in the heart.

What the proof is, now I know.

Muhittin proclaims the Truth is a spectator.

God is everywhere if you are willing to see.

What is the hidden, what is the apparent —

What a human being is, now I know.