The Stations, Briefly Numbered

Iraqi style
English

The Stations, Briefly Numbered

Start with the beginnings and move on to the gateways, then to the dealings between people and what is right. After that, know ethics as the chapter of first principles, and then the remedies; do not grow weary. Next comes the chapter of inner states, then the saintly ranks, so you won't mistake them for empty raving and nonsense. Then come the truths, know this for certain, and finally the ultimate ends, my dear one of this age.
Explanation: This poem lists the stages of a mystical or scholarly curriculum in order. 'Shath and tamat' refer to the ecstatic, seemingly outrageous utterances of Sufis, which outsiders often dismiss as nonsense.

Original · Persian

بخش ۳ - عدد مقامات بطریق اجمال

از بدایات گیر تا ابواب بعد ازان تا معاملات و صواب
بعد اخلاق دان تو قسم اصول بعد ازان ادویه،مباش ملول
قسم احوال پس ولایاتست تا نگویی که شطح و طاماتست
پس حقایق بود،یقین می دان پس نهایات،ای عزیز زمان