Poetry Chaikhana
Sacred Poetry from Around the World

Muslim / Sufi

13th Century

About Umar Ibn al-Farid

Timeline (1181 - 1235)

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English version by
Th. Emil Homerin

Original Language
Arabic

From his light, (from The Poem of the Sufi Way)

Themes

Dawn

Light

Moon

Sun

Recommended Books

	From Arab Poet to Muslim Saint: Ibn Al-Farid, His Verse, and His Shrine, by Th. Emil Homerin
	Umar Ibn al-Farid: Sufi Verses, Saintly Life, Translated by Th. Emil Homerin
	The Wine of Love and Life: Ibn Al-Farid's Al-Khamriyah and Al-Qaysari's Quest for Meaning, by Dawud Ibn Mahmud Qaysari

From his light,
     the niche of my essence enlightened me;
          by means of me,
               my nights blazed morning bright.

I made me witness my being there
     for I was he;
          I witnessed him as me,
               the light, my splendor.

By me the valley was made holy,
     and I flung my robe of honor --
          my "taking off of sandals" --
               on those summoned there.

I embraced my lights
     and so was their guide;
          how wondrous a soul
               illuminating lights!

I set firm my many Sinais
     and there prayed to myself;
          I attained every goal,
               as my being spoke with me.

My full moon never waned;
     my sun, it never set,
          and all the blazing stars
               followed my lead.

-- from Umar Ibn al-Farid: Sufi Verses, Saintly Life, Translated by Th. Emil Homerin

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Poetry Chaikhana Sacred Poetry from Around the World

About Umar Ibn al-Farid

Poetry Chaikhana
Sacred Poetry from Around the World