Some beautiful visual poems of lovely Arabic verse: Al-Mutannabi Translation: When the lion bares his teeth, do not fancy that the lion shows to you a smile I have slain the man that sought my heart’s blood many a time Riding a noble mare whose back none else may climb Whose hind and fore-legs…
Those who believe are more intense in love…
Quran 2:165 وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَن يَتَّخِذُ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ أَندَادًا يُحِبُّونَهُمْ كَحُبِّ اللَّهِ ۖ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَشَدُّ حُبًّا لِّلَّهِ ۗ وَلَوْ يَرَى الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا إِذْ يَرَوْنَ الْعَذَابَ أَنَّ الْقُوَّةَ لِلَّهِ جَمِيعًا وَأَنَّ اللَّهَ شَدِيدُ الْعَذَابِ “Translation”: Among the people are some who take peers apart from God, loving them as if loving God….
More fado…
Translation: Lady of Nazareth, pray for me, I am also a fisherman walking on the sea. Off life’s dock in endless waves, I’ve seen my little boat of dreams sinking perpetually. My nets cast with confidence, I hauled in only disappointments on a bad sea. I lost the rudder of hope, I can not row well. Lady of…
Rumi-I am not wandering aimlessly
Translation: by Farah Aziz No I am not roaming aimlessly through the alleys and bazaar I am a lover searching for his beloved God have mercy on me I am walking around troubled I have done wrong and sinned and am walking around wounded I have drunk the wine of desire and am walking around lovelorn Though…
Infidel of Love
Shabistari If a Muslim were to know what an idol is He would know that religion is idol-worship And if the associator (mushrik) were to know what an idol is Where would he have gone wrong in his religion? Original: مسلمان گر بدانستی که بت چیست بدانستی که دین در بتپرستی است وگر مشرک ز بت…
Hafez in qawwal
This ghazal, attributed to Hafez, is probably not by him, but is still beautiful nonetheless. https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=44&v=Iz9hU6JjZXk Translation: I saw Beloved in the Stranger I saw a Flower in the Ash The one the Preacher so tried to hide I saw that Beloved in the square. In every direction, the splendor of Beloved, I see In every…
Yoruba poetry in praise of Olodumare
The remarkable Mayowa Adeyemo performs a powerful poem in praise of Olodumare, the Supreme Deity. Original: Odíderé ayékòótá máa wolè máràba Odéderé ayébòútó máa wolè máràba oò ri’ báyé nwá doríto dò tó dobúépo ọmọ ò gbọ́ tí baba mo, baba ò gbó dimọ má, aya ò gbọ́ lọkọ mo gbogbo rè wá polúkúrámusu…
Your face like the moon
Translation: May your charming face ever shine like the full moon; May you hold eternal sway over the domains of beauty. By your amorous glance you have killed a poor man like me; How magnanimous of you? May God give you a long life. Pray do not be cruel lest you should feel ashamed of…
I stole a glance from Niẓam
Translation: Let the housewife say what she will, I stole a glance from the eyes of Nizam. His darling face and his charming form I have hidden in the depths of my heart. Let Khusrao perish at the feet of Nizam, I have just sold him a priceless maid [Khusrau himself] Khusrau! It…
Favorite Verses of Amir Khusro
Translation: Love of you brings news of a world beyond consciousness and brings the pious to down goblets of wine Your cheek broke the repentant vows of dozens of ascetic devotees and nearly had them wearing black Yearning for you is the sheriff who seizes sultan reason by the hair …