Mount of knowledge, sword of eloquence : collected poems of an Ismaili Muslim scholar in Fatimid Egypt : a translation from the original Arabic of al-Muʾayyad al-Shīrāzī's Dīwān
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Mount of knowledge, sword of eloquence : collected poems of an Ismaili Muslim scholar in Fatimid Egypt : a translation from the original Arabic of al-Muʾayyad al-Shīrāzī's Dīwān
（Ismaili texts and translations series, 14）
I. B. Tauris, c2011
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Poems
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Poems
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Note
Translated from Arabic
Published in association with the Institute of Ismaili Studies
Includes bibliographical references (p. 237-240)
Description and Table of Contents
Description
I.B.Tauris in association with the Institute of Ismaili Studies
A distinguished scholar, author and statesman, al-Mu'ayyad fi'l-Din al-Shirazi (1000-1078 CE) lived during one of the most turbulent periods in Islamic history. The 11th-century was characterized, among other things, by an acute struggle for supremacy between the Sunni and Shi'a braches of Islam, represented politically by the 'Abbasid and Fatimid caliphates. Al-Mu'ayyad was originally a Fatimid missionary; but his outstanding intellectual and literary skills eventually gained him important positions in the Fatimid administration. Eventually he attained the highest ranks in the religious hierarchy, and won widespead acclaim for his scholarship and sagacity. "The Diwan", the work here translated, is notable for its exceptional poetic quality and covers a wide range of facinating political and religious issues, from al-Mu'ayyad's intellectual disputations to devotions in praise of the Prophet Muhammad and his family. This first complete English translation seeks to recapture some of the poetic power and flavour of one of the undoubted masterpieces of medieval Arabic literature.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements
Introduction by Kutub Kassam
A Biographical Chronology of al-Mu'ayyad
D?w?n al-Mu'ayyad fi'l-D?n d?'? al-du??t The D?w?n of the chief d?'? al-Mu?ayyad fi'l-D?n
first lines of the qas?das
1. Praise be to the Lord, the victorious Authority
2. Abundance of praise and unique thanks are due
3. Old age has eradicated the evidence of youth
4. He said: 'Ask him, you two, if his departure was
5. He said: 'When the load was carried for decamping
6. O two companions! May you greet your
7. May All?h confer victory upon the banner
8. O (the way of) exile, how appalling is your malady
9. Impossible has become the separation in our love
10. Greetings to those beloved to us
11. Is it good to rejuvenate after reaching old age
12. The pen has provided me with good fortune
13. I have been tormented in my love for a long time
14. All?h's religion has been invigorated by al-??hir
15. O companion of the heart, near and afar
16. Welcome be to those who dwell in my heart
17. O Eastern breeze! Pass by Persia on coming back
18. May my life be sacrificed for the guide of the world
19. A glory so exalted it became a sky for the heavens
20. Verily, Egypt and Syria have come to know
21. O Lord, You are my (only) hope
22. A crescent moon appeared out of the darkness
23. O why is it that the sky does not move to and fro
24. Who will take pity on a body emaciated by passion
25. Who is there to take pity on an old man
26. O my Lord! I have made devotions to you, openly and secretly
27. O my God, it is my hope to receive salvation by
28. O God! If I am always complaining about
29. I swear by God, (the One) who has no partner
30. A soul whose ornaments are the engraving of its Lord's Oneness
31. O my two companions! May you be secure
32. I permitted the sanctuary of my blood to be spilled for their sake
33. High above the stars of Ursa Major is a palace established
34. O descendants of T?h?! May I be sacrificed for you
35. O God, how weary have I become of myself
36. I have been guided by Ma?add to the ways of my return
37. O companions! Let us prepare the camels for departure
38. If I were a contemporary of Prophet Mu?ammad
39. I am pleased with the hard bitter life
40. Generous are my eyes in making the tears flow
41. May peace be upon (the Prophet's) pure progeny
42. O inquisitor who questions me about myself
43. O You who beholds a gnat spreading its wings
44. I dissociate myself from the first Hubal
45. O Abu'l-?asan! O he who is like the Warner (Mu?ammad)
46. Come to the holy land, the dwelling place
47. O conspirator! Plot actively as much as you can
48. Justice has become evident in the Imam's domain
49. My love for A?mad and ?Al? suffices me
50. They took my heart away when they departed
51. God's eye has taken care of you wherever you have settled
52. By (the grace of) our lord, Imam Ab? Tam?m
53. All?h alone suffices me
54. I have mounted the stallions of hope
55. She saw me when grey hair was dawning upon my head
56. O friends! Separation has become so long for us
57. O community that put up a cruel idol as her arbiter
58. The burdens of Time can be difficult or easy
59. O Time, how much enmity and prejudice is there between us
60. I swear by All?h that if you were to crown me
61. O Thursday morning, welcome be to you
62. My tongue begins with Your name, O God
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