Although better known as the founder of the Illuminationist Philosophical tradition, Shihāb al-dīn al-Suhrawardī was also a gifted Arabic poet, and this poem, in particular has been beloved by Sufis and lovers throughout the ages. al-Shābb al-Ẓarīf’s poem of the same meter seems to be modeled on it in part. But al-Shābb al-Ẓarīf’s poem stands…
Baha al-Dīn Zuhayr: “I have, in passion, a secret”
One of the most famous and celebrated poets and prose stylists (and calligraphers) of the Ayyubid and Mamluk periods, Bahā’ al-dīn Zuhayr (d. 656/1258) was known for his impossibly easy (sahl mumtani’) and elegant style that combined directness, sincerity, and brevity with wit and profound feelings-especially in love poetry, poetry about friendship, and praise poetry….