Shimmering Light An Anthology of Ismaili Poetry
I.B. Tauris in association with the Institute of Ismaili Studies
Poetry, often of great beauty and subtlety, has always been central to the spiritual life of Islam, particularly among Sufis and other esoteric branches of the faith. Through the ages it has been composed in both learned and popular forms, in classical languages as well as local dialects, to express love and devotion to God, the Prophet Muhammad and his family.
Although a large body of the great poetry of the Islamic world has been translated into English, the poetry of the Ismailis, except for a small portion, is still only accessible in the original.
This anthology will enable lovers of devotional and mystical poetry to sample for the first time the great range and depth of Ismaili poetry. The selection spans a thousand years of Ismaili history, from the times of the Fatimid caliphate to the present day. It includes both sophisticated and popular verses from the Ismaili poets of North Africa, Syria, Iran, Afghanistan, Central Asia and Pakistan composed in Arabic, Persian and Urdu.
Acknowledgements
Foreword
Introduction
Al–Qadi al–Nu‘man
The Most High
Ibn Hani al–Andalusi
A shimmering light
O children of Fatima!
The progeny of Hashim
The foundation of faith
The glory of our time
The first creation
The proof of God
You are the one
Heaven on earth
If you were not to be
Those who have lost their way
The pilgrimage of a mount
Encounter in the desert
Thunder in the mountains
Assembly of banners
Amir Tamim al–Fatimi
Elegy for al-Mu‘izz
On the festival of Nawruz
Time and destiny
Al–Mu’ayyad fi’l–Din al–Shirazi
The pure progeny
The evil of desire
The soul’s satisfaction
The light of intellect
The sanctuary
Nasir–i Khusraw
The Prophet’s faith
In search of knowledge
The Prophet’s legacy
The sword of ‘Ali
The excellence of ‘Ali
O people of the umma!
The world’s friendship
The eye of the intellect
Journey to the light
Speech and silence
The master and the disciple
The candle of intellect
The momentum of time
Pearls of heaven
The sovereign of time
A conceited eagle
A pavilion of paradise
The esoteric and the exoteric
Secrets of the pilgrimage
Hasan-i Sabbah
Repentance
Supplication
Particles of dust
Make me complete
Ra’is Hasan
The master of the time
The heart that knows
The call of the spirit
Good fortune
The rising of the sun
Nizari Quhistani
Alexander’s quest
The virtue of ma‘rifa
Abode of the beloved
I found the treasure
The one above them all
The sovereign of time
‘Abd Allah Ansari
Form and essence
The felicity of grace
Khayrkhwah-i Harati
The miracle of knowledge
The three worlds
Khaki Khurasani
The inner reality
Anchor of the ship
Shaykh Khudr
Ships of salvation
The awe-inspiring light
The trustworthy spirit
The coming of your light
Cupbearer of the night
Love in seclusion
In the courtyard of love
The fruits of reality
The call of the friend
The city of shining light
Fida’i Khurasani
The wealth of this world
Remembrance of the heart
Recognition of the Imam
If you have Mawla’s love
‘Allama Nasir Hunzai
The slave of Mawla ‘Ali
Quatrains of love
The treasure of Luqman
Glad tidings for the soul
Secrets of the heart
Isma‘il Adra
A noble birthday
My breathless heart
Notes
Bibliography
Index of First Lines
General Index
Faquir M. Hunzai received his doctorate from Mc Gill University and is currently a Research Associate at The Institute of Ismaili Studies, London.
Kutub Kassam is a poet and Publications Officer at The Institute of Ismaili Studies, London.