I choose
the Quran
and the Faith of Muhammad
For those
were the choices
of Muhammad himself;
I know
if I practice the two
my Certainty
will become
as the Certitude
of The Prophet.
My key
to Paradise – my guide
to Felicity
the fortified Citadel:
what are they but
the Religion of Muhammad:
For us
he is the messenger
of God- such
was the carving
on the seal-ring
of the Prophet.
Rooted in my heart:
the Faith
and the Book
as firmly
as in the heart
of Muhammad.
By God’s Grace
my hope, my prayer
is to be
the least
of servants in the community
of Muhammad.
My brother,
in sea-depths
of religion
the Quran
is the pearl beyond price
of the Prophet;
every king
owns a treasure
and a trophy;
the Quran
is the treasure
of Muhammad.
Now look
to these riches,
this pearl:
who now
is the custodian
of Muhammad’s legacy?
You yourself
would bequeath your wealth
to your children;
just so as his children
the guardians
the heirs of the prophet.
Ponder well:
you Muslims
will not find
the jewels
but in keeping
of Muhammad’s progeny.
Surely he handed
all down to him
who was
worthiest
of all Companions
of the Prophet.
Who was he,
this Companion?
His wife
was the delight
of the eye
of Muhammad
and from this delight
and this companion
were born
Hasan
and Husayn, the darlings
of Muhammad.
I have seen
in both worlds
the reality
of Husayn
and Hasan: the rose
and the jasmine of the prophet;
where
in the heaven and earth
could such blossoms spring
but in the garden
from the soil
of Muhammad?
I dare not
I tremble
lest I prefer
any creature
above these beloved ones
of God’s prophet.
The Book
and the Sword
of the lion of God:
these are bulwarks
beneath the firm Faith
of Muhammad.
Who stood
sword drawn
in every battle
who stood
at the right hand
of the Prophet?
The Sword of Ali
lent its aid
to the Quran
and Ali no doubt
was the Help
of Muhammad.
Ali:
in Islam
as Aaron to Moses:
partner
companion
of the Prophet;
on the Last Day
Aaron and Moses
shall kiss
the Mantle of Ali,
the sleeve
of Muhammad.
‘Seek knowledge’
he bid us
‘even in China’;
Ah! What praises are mine
in the China
of Muhammad.
I heard
from their heir
of the Prophet
the honeysweet
words, the Sayings
of Muhammad;
my heart beheld
a mystery revealed
from the Origin
to Ali’s heart
through the prophecy
of Muhammad
and learned
from the babes of Fatimah
and her husband
the true
nature
of the Prophet.
Surely
I could have gained
no more than I gained
from that
illustrious child
of the Rank of Muhammad
surely
I could have gained
no more
had I lived
myself in the time
of Muhammad.
The Creator
of the Universe Himself
praises me
for my love
of Ali, my blessings
on the prophet
and with the Blessing
of the Lord
of the worlds
I dwell
in the stronghold
of Muhammad.
(Excerpt from the Divan of Dai/Hakim/Sufi Nasir Khusraw. Translated by Peter Lamborn)
A statue of Nasir Khusraw with the Pamir Mountains rising behind him. Photo: Janet Southern
