hadith
648
۞
If the foot remains firm in this slippery place, well and good . But if the foot slips, this is because we are under the shade of branches, the passing of the winds and the canopy of the clouds whose layers are dispersed in the sky, and whose traces disappeared [3] in the earth. I was your neighbour. My body kept you company for some days and shortly you will find just an empty body of mine which would be stationary after (all its) movement and silent after speech so that my calmness, the closing of my eyes, and the stillness of my limbs may provide you counsel, because it is more of a counsel for those who take a lesson (from it) than eloquent speech and a ready word. I am departing from you like one who is eager to meet (someone). Tomorrow you will look at my days, then my inner side will be disclosed to you and you will understand me after the vacation of my place and its occupation by someone else.
إِنْ تَثْبُتِ الْوَطْأَةُ فِي هذِهِ الْمَزَلَّةِ فَذَاكَ، وَإِنْ تَدْحَضِ الْقَدَمُ فَإِنَّا كُنَّا فِي أَفْيَاءِ أَغْصَان، وَمَهَابِّ رِيَاح، وَتَحْتَ ظِلِّ غَمَام، اضْمَحَلَّ فِي الْجَوِّ مُتَلَفَّقُهَا، وَعَفَا في الارْضِ مَخَطُّهَا. وَإِنَّمَا كُنْتُ جَاراً جَاوَرَكُمْ بَدَنِي أَيَّاماً، وَسَتُعْقَبُونَ مِنِّي جُثَّةً خَلاَءً سَاكِنَةً بَعْدَ حَرَاك، وَصَامِتَةً بَعْدَ نُطْق لِيَعِظْكُمْ هُدُوِّي، وَخُفُوتُ إِطْرَاقِي، وَسُكُونُ أَطْرَافِي، فَإِنَّهُ أَوْعَظُ لَلْمُعْتَبِرِينَ مِنَ الْمَنْطِقِ الْبَلِيغِ وَالْقَوْلِ الْمَسْمُوعِ. وَدَاعِيكُم وَدَاعُ امْرِىء مُرْصِد لِلتَّلاَقِي! غَداً تَرَوْنَ أَيَّامِي، وَيُكْشَفُ لَكُمْ عَنْ سَرَائِرِي، وَتَعْرِفُونَنِي بَعْدَ خُلُوِّ مَكَانِي وَقِيَامِ غَيْرِي مَقَامِي.