Shi'i Piety: Poems in Praise of Hazrat Ali
Foundations
Two foundations has Islam
the Qur'an, and Dhu'l-fiqar.
Muslims do agree with that
and the pagans do it too.
As there is in human speech
no light but in Ahmad's word,
thus there is in no sharp sword
fire, but in Ali's sword.
Ahmad, Chosen, is the sun,
Haydar, 'the Attacker,' light -
Light cannot be without sun,
sun cannot be without light.
Firmest handle is for all
love of Ali's children dear:
Shia are those who are not
wav'ring in their bond to him!
On the treasure which God High
placed in Ahmad's heart, there is
not a treasurer but Ali,
no dispenser but Ali,
For upon his tongue God has
opened all of knowledge's locks -
There is no one in the world
like to Ali Murtada!
And the ocean full of pearls
is near him all unimpaired:
for there is no royal pearl
precious like his fingertips!
Ev'ryone from whom the light
of the Sun of Faith has gone -
All his days are nothing else
but black night, but darkest night!
Useless is the body's eye
when the sun does no more shine
Would the heart's eye be of use
when the Sun of Faith is dark?
Nasir Khusraw
from Make a Shield from Wisdom
translated by Annemarie Schimmel
The Excellence of Ali
The springtime of a friend of Ali is always full of the efflorescence of
Ali.
None deserves eminence and praise among the people except he who befriends
Ali.
The heart of every Shi'i is protected from Satan in the fortress of Ali.
As Ali is from the Prophet's family, the true Shi'i belongs to the family of
Ali.
A hundred years of praise is not equal to even one in a thousand praises
of Ali.
Courage, knowledge, abstinence, generosity: these are the qualities I revere
in Ali.
Therefore, my back is bent with gratitude under the weight of the favours
of Ali.
My under and outer garments are faith and knowledge, just as they were for
Ali.
If you want to understand his status, reflect upon the role and the deeds
of Ali:
he was a lion, the battlefield his meadow, and Gabriel was the spearman of
Ali.
Ali's cave is of knowledge, not stone, for stone does not befit the glory
of Ali.
The clouds of ta'wil do not shed their droplets except on the trees and the
seed-fields of Ali.
Ali had no desire for gold or silver; faith and knowledge were the choice
of Ali.
There was not fault in him nor blemish in the tongue, hands and garments of
Ali.
Husayn and Hasan, the Prophet's reminders, were none other than the reminders
of Ali.
Truly no one can be saved from the fire unless he comes under the protection
of Ali.
Nasir Khusraw
from Shimmering Light:
An Anthology of Ismaili Poetry
translated by Faquir Muhammad Hunzai.
The Prophet's Legacy
Listen, O brothers! In the ocean of faith, the Qur'an is the most precious pearl of Muhammad.
Just as every king keeps his treasure concealed, the Qur'an is the hidden treasure of Muhammad.
Observer well, who do you see as the custodian of this treasure and the trustee of Muhammad?
Just as you leave your treasure to your children, there is a legacy for the children of Muhammad.
Do you not see that the pearls of faith cannot come from anyone except the children of Muhammad?
This treasure was entrusted to one person only, worthy of being the confidant of Muhammad.
He was none other than the Prophet's dear friend, whose spouse was the pure daughter of Muhammad,
the lady of paradise: from them were born Husayn and Hasan, the sin and shin of Muhammad.
I am certain that in both the worlds, Husayn and Hasan are the rose and jasmine of Muhammad.
Tell me, where in the world can blossom such exquisite blooms except in the soil of Muhammad?
I can never bring myself to choose anyone over and above these two beloved sons of Muhammad.
If I were to desire someone in their place, how disgraced will I be in the
presence of Muhammad!
Nasir Khusraw
from Shimmering Light:
An Anthology of Ismaili Poetry
translated by Faquir Muhammad Hunzai.
The Sword of Ali
The Qur'an and the pure
sword of Haydar - these are
the two foundations of
the faith of Muhammad.
For he, Ali, stood with
his sword Dhu'l-faqar,
drawn in every battle on
the right hand of Muhammad.
Ali's rank in the faith
was like Aaron to Moses,
for he was both the peer
and companion of Muhammad.
On the Day of Resurrection,
Aaron and Moses will kiss
the mantle of Ali and
the sleeve of Muhammad.
Muhammad's religion was
like a dense forest;
Ali was the lion in
the forest of Muhammad.
Nasir Khusraw
from Shimmering Light:
An Anthology of Ismaili Poetry
translated by Faquir Muhammad Hunzai.
