One of my favorite poems of Rumi’s, its rhythm is intoxicating:
Translation (some liberties taken to approximate the rhythm of the original):
Dead yet I was, then came to life, weeping I was, then came to laugh
Love’s kingdom came, I came to be, the kingdom of eternity
My eye is full, my soul is bold, a lion’s heart is what I have, the morning star, bright I became
Said: “You’re not mad, don’t belong here,” then I went mad, bound up in chains
Said: “You are drunk, get out of here,” then I got drunk, bubbling with joy
Said: “You’re not dead, not in joy drowned,” before his face, I died and bowed
Said: “You’re so smart, drunk on your doubt,” a fool I became, straight lifted out
Said: “You’re the candle of this folk,” I said, “I’m not, I’m wisps of smoke”
Said: “You’re a shaykh, you’re the leader.” “I’m but a slave to your command.”
He said: “You have feathers and wings. I will not give you feathered wings.” Seeking these wings, I lost my wings.
New fortune said: “Don’t come my way, I’ll come to you.”
Old love then said: “Don’t leave my heart.” I said, “I won’t, I’ll stay, I’m still.”
You are the fountain of the sun, I am the shade of the willow, You strike my head, I drop and melt
Heart felt the new glow of my soul, my heart opened, wove a new stole, I turned against that tattered one
Form of the soul swaggered with pride, slave though I was, Lord I became
Thanks your paper gives for your sweets, limitless it came to me and I dwelt in it
Thanks my dark earth gives for my curved sky and its sphere, for through its gaze, and its turning, I too became light-receiving
Thanks heaven’s sphere gives for the king and the kingdom and the angel, for through his grace I have become bright and graceful
Thanks the Knower of Truth gives for the fact that we’ve outstripped the rest; high up above the seven lay-ers I became a shining star
I was Venus, became the moon, and I became two-hundred skies; I was Joseph, now I became the Joseph seed
O famous moon, I am all yours, look upon me, and on yourself, for from the trace of your smile, I have become a garden of roses smiling
Move silently, like a chessman, yourself all tongue, for through the king of the world’s face, I have become happy and blessed.
Original:
مرده بدم زنده شدم گریه بدم خنده شدم
دولت عشق آمد و من دولت پاینده شدم
دیده سیر است مرا جان دلیر است مرا
زهره شیر است مرا زهره تابنده شدم
گفت که دیوانه نه‌ای لایق این خانه نه‌ای
رفتم دیوانه شدم سلسله بندنده شدم
گفت که سرمست نه‌ای رو که از این دست نه‌ای
رفتم و سرمست شدم وز طرب آکنده شدم
گفت که تو کشته نه‌ای در طرب آغشته نه‌ای
پیش رخ زنده کنش کشته و افکنده شدم
گفت که تو زیرککی مست خیالی و شکی
گول شدم هول شدم وز همه برکنده شدم
گفت که تو شمع شدی قبله این جمع شدی
جمع نیم شمع نیم دود پراکنده شدم
گفت که شیخی و سری پیش رو و راهبری
شیخ نیم پیش نیم امر تو را بنده شدم
گفت که با بال و پری من پر و بالت ندهم
در هوس بال و پرش بی‌پر و پرکنده شدم
گفت مرا دولت نو راه مرو رنجه مشو
زانک من از لطف و کرم سوی تو آینده شدم
گفت مرا عشق کهن از بر ما نقل مکن
گفتم آری نکنم ساکن و باشنده شدم
چشمه خورشید تویی سایه گه بید منم
چونک زدی بر سر من پست و گدازنده شدم
تابش جان یافت دلم وا شد و بشکافت دلم
اطلس نو بافت دلم دشمن این ژنده شدم
صورت جان وقت سحر لاف همی‌زد ز بطر
بنده و خربنده بدم شاه و خداونده شدم
شکر کند کاغذ تو از شکر بی‌حد تو
کآمد او در بر من با وی ماننده شدم
شکر کند خاک دژم از فلک و چرخ به خم
کز نظر وگردش او نورپذیرنده شدم
شکر کند چرخ فلک از ملک و ملک و ملک
کز کرم و بخشش او روشن بخشنده شدم
شکر کند عارف حق کز همه بردیم سبق
بر زبر هفت طبق اختر رخشنده شدم
زهره بدم ماه شدم چرخ دو صد تاه شدم
یوسف بودم ز کنون یوسف زاینده شدم
از توام ای شهره قمر در من و در خود بنگر
کز اثر خنده تو گلشن خندنده شدم
باش چو شطرنج روان خامش و خود جمله زبان
کز رخ آن شاه جهان فرخ و فرخنده شدم
اللهم بسطوة جبروت قهرك، وبسرعة إغاثة نصرك، وبغيرتك لانتهاك حرماتك، وحمايتك لمن احتمى بآياتك، Allahumma bisatwati jabarouti qahrika, wa bisorati ighathati nasrika, wa bighayratika li ntihaki horumaika, wa himayatika liman ihtama bi ayatik. O Allah, by the force of the absolute power with which You triumph, and the quickness of Your succour when You aid to victory, and Your jealousy at the violation of things You have made sacrosanct, and by Your protection of him who seeks safety in Your verses:
نسألك يا الله يا سميع يا قريب يا مجيب يا سريع يا منتقم يا شديد البطش يا جبار يا قهار يا من لا يعجزه قهر الجبابرة ولا يعظم عليه هلاك المتمردة من الملوك والأكاسرة أن تجعل كيد من كادنا في نحره ومكر من مكر بنا عائدا عليه، وحفرة من حفر لنا واقعا فيها ومن نصب لنا شبكة الخداع، اجعلها ياسيدي مساقا إليها ومصادا فيها وأسيرا لديها، Nas’aloka ya Allah,ya Samee’o,ya Qareebo, ya Saree’o, ya Montaqimo, ya Shadeeda l-batshi, ya Jabbaro, ya Qahhar, ya man la yo’jizohu qahro l-jababirati mina l-molooki wa l-akasirah, an taj’ala kayda man kadana fi nahrihi, wa makra man mkara bina ‘a’idan ‘alayhi, wa hofrata man hafara lana waqi’an fiha, wa man nasaba lana shabakata l-khida’i j’alho ya sayyidi mosaqan fiha, wa mosadan fiha, wa ‘aseeran ladayha.
I ask You, O Allah, O All-near, O All-hearing, O All-answering, O Ever-swift, O Vengeful, O Mighty of Assault: O Compeller, O Invincible, O You who are undeterred by the might of tyrants, and to whom the destruction of rebellious traitors, of kings and caesars, is very easy: make the trap of him who sets one for me cut his own throat; the plot of him who plots against me return against him; and make him who digs a pit for me fall in it himself; And he who spreads a web of treachery for me, make him, My Lord, driven to it and caught in it.
اللهم بحق كهيعص اكفنا هم العدا ولقهم الردا واجعلهم لكل حبيب فدا. وسلط عليهم عاجل النقمة في اليوم والغدا. Allahomma bihaqqi Kaf ha ya ‘ayn sad ikfina hamma l-ida. Wa laqqihimo r-rada. Wa j’alhom likolli habibin fida. Wa sallit ‘alayhim ‘ajila n-naqmati fi l-yawmi wa l-ghada.
O Allah, by the right of Kaf Ha Ya ‘Ayn Sad relieve us of the worry of enemies, let them meet with death, make them the ransom of every beloved, and loose upon them a speedy vengeance, day and night.
اللهم بدد شملهم. اللهم فرق جمعهم. اللهم أقلل عددهم. اللهم فل حدهم. اللهم اجعل الدائرة عليهم. اللهم وأوصل العذاب إليهم. اللهم أخرجهم عن دائرة الحلم. واسلبهم مدد الإمهال. وغل أيديهم وأرجلهم واشدد على قلوبهم ولا تبلغهم الآمال. Allahomma baddid shamlahom. Allahomma farriq jam’ahom. Allahomma aqlil adadahom. Allahomma folla haddahom. Allahomma j’ali d-da’irata ‘alayhim. Allahomma awsili l-athaba ilayhim. Allahomma akhrijhom min da’irati l-hilm. Wa slobhom madada l-imhal. Wa gholla aydeehim wa arjolohom, wa shdod ‘ala qoloobihim, wa la toballighohomo l-a’amal.
O Allah, scatter their company; O Allah shatter their unity; O Allah, lessen their number; O Allah, blunt their edge; O Allah, turn fate against them; O Allah, unleash torment upon them; O Allah, banish them from the circle of clemency, and strip them of the benefit of postponement, and fetter their hands and feet, and blind their hearts, and give them no hope.
اللهم مزقهم كل ممزق مزقته لأعدائك انتصارا لأنبيائك ورسلك وأوليائك Allahomma mazzikhom kolla momazzaqin mazzaqtaho li ‘a’daaika n-tisaran li anbiya’ika wa rosolika wa awliya’k.
O Allah, rend them utterly to pieces, as You have rent Your enemies, to win the day for Your prophets, messengers and You beloved ones.
اللهم انتصر لنا انتصارك لأحبابك على أعدائك (3) Allahomma n-tassir lana n-tisaraka li ahbabika ‘ala a’daa’ik. (3)
O Allah, give us the victory You give to those You love over Your enemies. (3)
(اللهم لا تمكن الأعداء فينا ولا تسلطهم علينا بذنوبنا (3 Allahomma la tomakkini l-a’daa’a fina, wa la tosallithom ‘alayna bi-thonoobina (3)
O Allah, do not let Your enemies defeat us, nor give them power over us because of our sins. (3)
حم، حم، حم، حم، حم، حم، حم Ha Mim, Ha Mim, Ha Mim, Ha Mim, Ha Mim, Ha Mim, Ha Mim,
Ha Mim, Ha Mim, Ha Mim, Ha Mim, Ha Mim, Ha Mim, Ha Mim,
حم الأمر وجاء النصر فعلينا لا ينصرون Homma l-amro wa ja’a n-nasro fa ‘alayna la yonsaroon.
The matter be done; the victory come; against us they shall not be helped.
حمعسق حمايتنا مما نخاف. Hamim ‘Ayn Sin Qaf himayatona mimma nakhaf.
Ha Mim ‘Ayn Sin Qaf is our protection from what we fear.
اللهم قنا شر الأسواء ولاتجعلنا محلا للبلواء. اللهم أعطنا أمل الرجاء وفوق الأمل. Allahomma qina sharra l-aswa’i, wa la taj’alna mahallan lil balwa. Allahomma a’tina amala r-raja’i wa fawqa l-amal.
O Allah, shield us from the evil of iniquities, and make us not a place of tribulation. O Allah, give us cause to hope, and more than hope.
يا هو يا هو يا هو Ya hoo. Ya hoo. Ya hoo
O You, O You, O You,
يا من بفضله لفضله نسألك العجل العجل. إلهي، الإجابة الإجابة. Ya man bifadhlihi lifadhlihi, nas’aloka l-‘ajala l-‘ajal. Ilahi l-‘ijabata l-ijabah.
O You from whose favor we ask of His favor that it be fast, fast, fast. O my God, An answer, An answer.
يا من أجاب نوحا في قومه، يا من نصر إبراهيم على أعدائه، يا من رد يوسف على يعقوب. يا من كشف ضر أيوب. يا من أجاب دعوة زكريا. يا من قبل تسبيح يونس بن متى. Ya man ajaba Nouhan fi qawmih, ya man nasara Ibrahim ‘ala a’daa’ih, ya man radda Yousofa ‘ala Ya’qoob, ya man kashafa dhorra Ayyoub, ya man ajaba da’wata Zakariyya, ya man qabila tasbeeha Younosa bni Matta.
O You who answered Noah about his people. O You who made Abraham triumphant over his foes. O You who reunited Joseph with Jacob. O You who lifted the affliction of Job. O You who answered the prayer of Zachariah. O You who accepted the praises of Jonah son of Amittai.
نسألك بأسرار هذه الدعوات أن تقبل ما به دعوناك، وأن تعطينا ما سألناك. أنجز لنا وعدك الذي وعدته لعبادك المؤمنين. Nas’aloka bi-asrari hathihi d-da’awat an taqbala ma bihi da’awnak, wa an to’tiyana ma sa’alnak Anjiz lana wa’daka l-athi wa’adtaho li ‘ibadika l-mo’mineen.
O Allah, by the secrets of those supplications, beseech You to accept our supplications, and give us what we have asked, and keep Your promise You have given Your believing servants.
لا إله إلا أنت سبحانك إني كنت من الظالمين. La ilaha illa anta, sobhanaka, inni konto mina dhalimeen.
“There is no god but You. Exalted is Your perfection; verily I was of the wrongdoers”
انقطعت آمالنا وعزتك إلا منك، وخاب رجاؤنا وحقل إلا فيك. Inqata’at aamalona, wa izzatoka, illa mink. Wa khaba raja’ona, wa haqqoka, illa feek.
Our wishes come to nothing- I swear by Your might- except from You; and our hopes are dashed- I swear by Your right- except in You.
إن أبطأت غارة الأرحام وابتعدت، فأقرب الشيء منا غارة الله. In abta’at gharato l-arahami wa bta’adat, fa aqrabo sh-shay’i minna gharato l-Lah.
If the rescue raid of kinsmen be slow and far off, the nearest thing to us is the rescue raid of Allah.
يا غارة الله جدي السير مسرعة في حل عقدتنا. Ya gharata l-Lahi, jiddi s-sayra mosri’atan li halli ‘oqadatina.
O raid of Allah, fly with haste to end our plight.
يا غارة الله عدت العادون وجاروا ورجون الله مجيرا. Ya gharata l-Lahi, ‘adati l-‘adoon wa jarou, wa rajawna l-Laha mojeera.
O raid of Allah, wrongdoers have assailed us and transgressed; and Allah we seek as protector.
وكفى بالله وليا وكفى بالله نصيرا. Wa kafa bi l-Lahi waliyan wa kafa bi l-Lahi naseera.
And Allah suffices as friend; and Allah suffices as helper.
وحسبنا الله ونعم الوكيل Wa hasbona l-Laho wa ni’ma l-wakeel.
“Allah suffices us and is best to rely on”
ولا حول ولا قوة إلا بالله العلي العظيم Wa la hawla wa la qowata illa bi l-Lahi l-Aliyyi l-Adheem.
“There is no power or strength except through Allah, the High, the All-great”
سلام على نوح في العالمين Salamon ‘ala Nouhin fi l-‘alameen.
Peace be with Noah among people.
استجب لنا آمين. Istajib lana, ameen.
Answer us. Ameen.
فقطع دابر القوم الذين ظلموا والحمد لله رب العالمين Fa qoti’a dabiro l-qawmi l-latheen dhalamoo, wa l-hamdo li-Lahi rabbi l-‘alameen.
“the wrongdoing folk were extirpated, and praise be to Allah Lord of the Worlds”
وصلى الله على سيدنا محمد وعلى آله وصحبه وسلم. Wa salla l-Laho ‘ala sayyidina Mohammadin wa ‘ala aalihi wa sahbihi wa sallam.
Allah bless our liegelord Mohammad, and his folk and Companions, and truly give them peace.
