2100 Egyptian women … knives not meant for it : see note to v. 1424 .
2102 Flying Ja‘far : see note to v. 2060 .
2128 Like the Assassins : a reference to the followers of Hasan Sabbah (d. 1124) among the Nizari Ismailis, who are commonly referred to as ‘the Assassins’ due to their tactical use of assassination, often by stabbing as implied here. Rumi refers here specifically to their major fort in Gerdkuh, near Damghan in Iran.
2204 Kalila and Dimna : the main characters (two jackals) in the famous Sanskrit book The Panchatantra . This presents, in the form of accessible animal fables, practical advice for princes. The Arabic translation, which was named after these two characters, was popular in Rumi’s time.
2212–13 love of the homeland … verified : a quote from the saying of the Prophet Mohammad: ‘Love of the homeland is part of faith.’
2214 Heading The mystery of the recitation of specific prayers … ablutions : while performing their ablutions Muslims traditionally recite specific prayers at each stage of cleansing.
2231 Love for the homeland : see note to vv. 2212–13.
2233 Like Ali scream it in the well below : this is an allusion to the story about the Prophet Mohammad telling his disciple Ali mystical truths that the latter found so difficult to withhold that he resorted to screaming down the well to avoid divulging it to others.
2283 ‘Didn’t a warner reach you?’ : Qur’an 67: 8, where it represents a question asked of the people in hellfire to which they respond by admitting that they rejected those who had been sent.
2288 Heading ‘Though they should be rebutted … liars’ : Qur’an 6: 28, where it refers to people once they are before the flames of hell and beg for a second chance back in the world.
2301 “If they should be rebutted … return” : see note to v. 2288 , Heading.
2382 God’s earth : Qur’an 4: 97, where the angels ask wrongdoers whether God’s earth was not vast enough for them after they explain that they had been oppressed in their lands.
2405–6 their eyes … white fat … vision : a reference to the ancient belief that the white of the eyeball is the means of human vision.
2417 If hills and mountains … from on high? : this alludes to Qur’an 34: 10, where hills and birds are ordered by God to echo David’s psalms.
2419 The moaning pillar … would depart : an allusion to the story about the moaning pillar in the Prophet Mohammad’s biography, which is also retold by Rumi in Book One (vv. 2124–30).
2420 If gravel … witness in a hand? : an allusion to the story about the gravel testifying to Mohammad’s Prophethood, which is also retold by Rumi in Book One (vv. 2165–71).
2421 ‘The earth was made to quake with awesome might’ : Qur’an 99: 1, from a short eschatological chapter of the Qur’an that describes how the earth will reveal her secrets about what good and bad people have done in their lives.
2423 She’ll share her knowledge … understand : see note to v. 2421 .
2437 His mercy does prevail above His anger : a Persian rendering of the well-known sacred tradition in which God says that His mercy prevails over His wrath.
2480 ‘They work corruption on the earth’ : Qur’an 5: 33, where it describes wrongdoers who will be punished unless they repent.
2498 men of the left hand : Qur’an 56: 41, where it refers to the people destined for hell.
2506 Till from the West the sun should one day rise : the sun rising from the West is traditionally believed to be one of the signs that the end of time is imminent.
2523 Paradise and its four streams : streams of water, milk, wine, and honey are part of the Qur’anic (47: 15) description of paradise.
2540 The worm turned to a vineyard straight away : the Persian words for vineyard and worm are very similar, so wordplay is the reason for this statement.
2541 Heading ‘I was a hidden treasure and I loved to be known’ : part of the well-known sacred tradition in which God gives this statement as a response to the question from the Prophet David, ‘Why did you make creation?’
2546 There’s naught for Man but that for which he’s struggling : Qur’an 53: 39, where it appears as part of a theological passage assuring recompense for one’s actions.
2562 sorrow for God’s slaves : Qur’an 36: 30, where it refers to those who rejected the Prophets sent to them.
2585 As Okkasha swung heaven’s gates thus, too : this alludes to the story presented in the following section of the poem, vv. 2586–97.
2586–8 Rabe‘ al-awwal … Safar : two months of the Arabic calendar, with Rabe‘ al-awwal following immediately after Safar, as the story indicates.
2595 Kawsar : literally meaning ‘abundance’, this term is used in the first verse of the 108th chapter of the Qur’an, so entitled. Kawsar is also the name for the heavenly fount of grace, which is what Rumi is referring to in this instance.
2614 ‘He is for God’ … ‘God is for him’ : see note to v. 7 .
2629 Heading Story about the king’s falcon and the decrepit crone : a variant of this story is already given in Book Two, vv. 325–78.
2641 Eyes that don’t turn round wounded by a crow’s : this hemistich includes the Qur’anic (53: 17) phrase ‘don’t turn round’, which is traditionally understood to refer to the Prophet Mohammad’s sight not turning aside from its focus during his ascension. ‘Crow’ is introduced here because in Persian it is the same as the Arabic verb for ‘turn round/aside’ in the Qur’anic phrase.
2649 Saleh was not hurt—they just hurt his camel : an allusion to the Qur’anic story about Saleh (e.g. 7: 73–9), the Prophet sent to the Thamud (see Glossary ) who hamstrung his she-camel mercilessly.
2655 (Bu Bakr was Mohammad’s … they’re similar) : a reference to the Prophet Mohammad’s companion and first political successor, Abu Bakr, as well as his pair of enemies in Mecca, Abu Lahab and Abu Jahl.
2671 just like you : Qur’an 18: 110, where Mohammad is told to tell people he is only a human and that God has no partners.
2729 O Kayqobad-like king with majesty! : Kayqobad is a legendary ancient Persian king in Ferdowsi’s Book of Kings.
2734 Khosrow of our nation : Khosrow is a legendary ancient Persian king in Ferdowsi’s Book of Kings.
2784 fear God with dread! : this is a frequent command in the Qur’an (e.g. 2: 189).
2832 Just like the moon … on command : a reference to the miracle story about the moon splitting at the Prophet’s command, which is associated with the ‘Moon’ chapter of the Qur’an (54).
2876 ‘The mother of the book’ : Qur’an 43: 4, where it is used to describe the Qur’an itself.
2882 Heading ‘We did not create … with reality’ : Qur’an 46: 3, a theological statement about God as the Creator.
2907 Made our forefather His own deputy : an allusion to Qur’an 2: 30 where God presents Adam to the angels as His deputy on earth, which they argued against.
2913 Man has naught more … striven : Qur’an 53:39, see note to v. 2546 .
2931–2 ‘It’s You we worship’ … ‘It’s You we seek help from’ : Qur’an 1: 5, from the famous opening chapter of the Qur’an which is repeated in daily prayers and on other important religious occasions.
2948 ‘when you just threw you did not throw’ : Qur’an 8: 17. See note to v. 764 .
2949 You’ve turned to ‘no’; settle next to ‘except’ : here ‘no’ and ‘except’ are the Arabic particles used in the Muslim declaration of faith: ‘There is no deity except God.’
2971 ‘He taught the names’ : Qur’an 2: 31 in the narrative where God presents Adam to the angels as His deputy on earth. The knowledge of ‘the names’ is used as a proof of Man’s superiority to the angels.
2985 Cave Companion : a Persian title of Abu Bakr (see Glossary ), the disciple who accompanied the Prophet Mohammad in the cave during the flight from Mecca to Medina.
3030 ‘I was a hidden treasure’ : see note to v. 2541 .
3044 And Jesus … started speaking
: an allusion to Qur’an 19: 30–3, where Jesus speaks at birth.
3073 ‘Remember God!’ : Qur’an 33: 41, where it is an instruction to believers.
‘Return!’ : Qur’an 89: 28, as part of the verses (89: 27–8) used frequently by Sufis in which God tells the tranquil soul to return to Him.
3086 Heading ‘on the day when … his brother, father, and mother’ : Qur’an 80: 34–5, from an eschatological passage describing the moment after the final trumpet blast.
Heading ‘We gave judgement when he was a youth’ : Qur’an 19: 12, where the youth referred to is John the Baptist.
Heading ‘Be! And it is’ : the divine fiat; the way in which God is repeatedly described as granting created things existence, before which they are described as non-existents in a storehouse. See Qur’an 36: 82.
3124 ‘Kaafoor’ : see note to v. 219 .
3125 The desert … ‘fortunate’ : references to the inappropriate literal meaning of names used for the desert and lepers respectively.
3172–3 Dig open … what is necessary : this could be a part of the poem that may not have been fully edited, because Rumi extends the narrative with reference to a graveyard, but abandons it. However, he effectively warns the reader that he is going to omit anything that is not necessary in what follows, which may arguably explain why it was left in.
3192 ‘Say : “I now take refuge!” ’ : Qur’an 113: 1, the start of one of the shortest chapters of the Qur’an, which takes the form of a prayer for protection.
3193 The Lord of Every Dawn : Qur’an 113: 1. See note to v. 3192 .
3196 the blowing witches : Qur’an 113: 4. See note to v. 3192 .
3199 ‘God does what He should will’ : Qur’an 14: 27, where it is stressed that God will guide or lead astray whomever He should choose.
3204 ‘I breathed in him My spirit’ : Qur’an 15: 29, as part of one of the variants of the story about God’s presentation of Adam to the angels for them to prostrate themselves before.
3206 His mercy’s prior to His wrath : see note to v. 2437 .
3207 the wedded souls : Qur’an 81: 7, as part of an eschatological passage best known for its reference to daughters who had been buried alive.
3215 the ones who drink : Qur’an 76: 5, where it refers to those in paradise in the afterlife.
3222 On Joseph’s shirt’s scent you should now rely : see note to v. 851 .
3242 closer than his jugular : Qur’an 50: 16, where it is the proximity of God that is described so emphatically.
3254–5 Base people … the water : an allusion to the story of the parting of the waves, which is also referred to in the Qur’an (26: 63).
3258 His brothers … so angry : a reference to the story about Joseph and his brothers to which the twelfth chapter of the Qur’an is almost entirely devoted.
3260 ‘Say!’ : each of the last three chapters of the Qur’an (112–14) are prayers introduced by the command ‘Say! ’
3304 ‘the pen’s dry’ : part of a saying of the Prophet Mohammad emphasizing the absoluteness of God’s decree.
3311 True wisdom … Mercury has brought instead : according to ancient beliefs the planet Mercury delivered wisdom.
3315 Shine from his breast, like Moses, purest light : an allusion to the miraculous transformation of Moses’ hand mentioned in the Qur’an (20: 22; 28: 132). God causes this transformation in order to strengthen Moses’ belief.
3320 how can one reach Vakhsh? : Vakhsh, which is currently located in Tajikistan and was traditionally part of the greater Balkh region, is likely to have been the birthplace and/or first home of Rumi.
3328 “Enter their houses through their proper gates!” : Qur’an 2: 189, a verse that is often cited as a proverb to mean that one should do things in the proper way.
3332 He isn’t less than Gabriel’s horse’s hoof : an allusion to the story about Gabriel’s horse causing grass to sprout wherever it stepped.
3334 That verdure … which Sameri | Put in the calf to have efficacy : an allusion to the story about the golden calf. Qur’an 20: 96 has been interpreted as meaning Sameri put dust from the hoof of the Angel Gabriel’s horse into the calf.
3343 For ‘I am better’ were the words of Satan : Qur’an 7: 12, where Satan argues that he is superior to Adam because he is made of fire rather than clay.
3349 Heading ‘You who believe … God and His messenger’ : Qur’an 49: 1, where believers are told to behave with respect towards the Prophet Mohammad.
3362 ‘Today there’s no protection’ : Qur’an 11: 43, where it represents Noah’s speech regarding the day of the Flood.
3400 What Joseph saw … was fulfilled at last : a reference to Joseph’s dream about the sun, moon, and eleven stars bowing to him in Qur’an 12: 4–6.
3419 “Enter among my servants” … “Enter my garden” : Qur’an 89: 29–30, which immediately follows the oft-cited verses (89: 27–8) in which God tells the tranquil soul to return to Him.
3421 “Guide us to the straight path!” : Qur’an 1: 6, part of al-Fateha, the opening prayer of the Qur’an.
3426 Alast : the Qur’anic ‘Covenant of Alast’ (7: 172) is when Mankind testified that God is the Lord by saying ‘Yes!’ in response to his question ‘Am I not [alasto ] your Lord?’ This is understood to have taken place when Mankind was pure spirit in the presence of God, before entering the world.
3463 chador : see note to v. 186 .
3480 ‘They’re looking’ … they can’t see : Qur’an 7: 198, where it refers to unbelievers, who do not see when they look at those offering them guidance.
3498 And fruit through Mary’s power that’s heaven-sent : an allusion to Qur’an 19: 24–5, where Mary is directed by God to shake a palm tree in order for fruit to come down for her to eat.
3504 Other than what … naught for men : Qur’an 53:39, see note to v. 2546 .
3514 “God has bought” : Qur’an 9: 111, where it is said that God has bought the believers’ lives with heaven, in return for their complete devotion to him, even if that means being killed while fighting for His cause.
3517 kaf simply to | Make kaf ha ya ayn sad’s big promise true : kaf ha ya ayn sad are the group of the so-called ‘mysterious letters’ with which the nineteenth chapter of the Qur’an, ‘Mary’, begins. Initially in this chapter the promise is to Zechariah regarding the future birth of John the Baptist despite his old age and his wife’s barrenness.
3540 “Has there once come?” : Qur’an 76:1, see note to v. 901 .
3570 ‘Be!’ : the divine fiat; the way in which God is repeatedly described as granting created things existence, before which they are described as non-existents in a storehouse. See Qur’an 36: 82.
3575 roots firm, branch to sky : Qur’an 14: 24, where the form of trees and their production of fruit is mentioned as a sign of God’s power.
3576 be straight : Qur’an 11: 112, where God tells the Prophet to be steadfast as commanded.
3586 Deliver! : Qur’an 5: 67, where God tells Mohammad to announce what He has revealed or else he will have not delivered His message.
3753 ‘Please guide us!’ : Qur’an 1:6, see note to v. 3421 .
3764 The Abraham-like flame within has power : this refers to the popular story that Nimrod had Abraham thrown into a massive bonfire. Abraham was miraculously protected by God, who turned the fire into a comfortable rose garden for his sake.
3768 A gnat can cause his outward form to spin : this alludes to the story about Nimrod being killed by an army of flesh-eating and bloodsucking gnats sent by God.
3790 It isn’t of the East … It isn’t of the West : Qur’an 24: 35, the celebrated ‘Light Verse’ of the Qur’an.
3802 the lote tree’s high location : Qur’an 53: 13–18, where, in a passage about Prophet Mohammad’s ascension to heaven, it refers to a lote tree marking the utmost reach of heaven and the limits of human understanding.
3815 Get on with men from Merv, O man from Rayy! : Rayy is south of modern Tehran and
Merv is in Turkmenistan. They are therefore paired to stress their distance apart.
3816 with gentle speech : Qur’an 20: 44, where Moses and Aaron are instructed to speak to Pharaoh in this way initially.
3836 ‘They would not leave off ’ : Qur’an 98: 1, where it refers to disbelievers remaining stubborn until the arrival of clear proofs.
3840 ask God for a victory : Qur’an 2: 89, where it refers to Christians seeking God’s help before the Prophet Mohammad was sent, but then not believing in the message he brought.
Glossary
Aad one of the vanquished nations referred to in the Qur’an (e.g. 7: 69). They lived just after Noah’s time and became proud because of their prosperity, which led them to reject the prophet Hud who had been sent to them. They were destroyed in the end by a roaring wind.
Abd al-Mottaleb grandfather of the Prophet Mohammad.
Abdollah Maghrebi Abu Abdollah Maghrebi was an early Sufi known especially for seeing in darkness miraculously.
Abu Bakr the first successor of the Prophet Mohammad as caliph, and thus considered by Sunni Muslims to have been the first of the four Rightly Guided Caliphs.
Abu Jahl (lit. ‘Father of Ignorance’) the name traditionally given by Muslims to a mortal enemy of the Prophet Mohammad in Mecca.
Ali Ali ebn Abi Taleb, cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Mohammad. He is presented in Sufi literature as the first Sufi Friend of God, on account of being Mohammad’s disciple. In Sunni Islam he is revered as the fourth Rightly Guided Caliph, while in Shi’i Islam he is the first Imam, or religious and political successor of the Prophet.
Anqa a phoenix-like mythical bird which is believed to reside in the range of mountains known as qaf .
Asaf Asaf ebn Barkhiya, the minister of Solomon identified by exegetes to be the individual who miraculously transports Sheba’s throne in the Qur’anic narrative (27: 38–40).
Azrael the Angel of Death, who appears in many stories to signal to individuals the imminence of their death. This is represented memorably in one of the shorter stories in Book One of the Masnavi (I, vv. 960–74).
The Masnavi, Book Four Page 30