This 16th century miniature (BNF Paris) depicts Shams Tabriz – from an illustrated copy of the Divan-i-Shams Tabriz, collection of Rumi’s verse named after his beloved mentor.
And a poem by Rumi that I discovered here
You I choose, of all the world, alone;
Will you suffer me to sit in grief?
My heart is as a pen in your hand,
You are the cause if I am glad or melancholy.
Save what you will, what will have I?
Save what you show, what do I see?
You make grow out of me now a thorn and now a rose;
Now I smell roses and now pull thorns.
If you keep me that, that I am;
If you would have me this, I am this.
In the vessel where you give color to the soul
Who am I, what is my love and hate?
You were first, and last you shall be;
Make my last better than my first.
When you are hidden, I am of the infidels;
When you are manifest, I am of the faithful.
I have nothing, except you have bestowed it;
What do you seek from my bosom and sleeve?
(An excellent modernization by Prof. Arkenberg of Reynold Nicholson’s translation of the orginal..)
Such a beautiful peom!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for such an enlightening poem!!!
Jazaak Allah Khair
Sufism embraces the concept of faith and love and it’s truthful manifestations.The Love of these Great Sufis and especially the bond between Hazrat Mevlana Rumi and Hazrat Shams Tabriz is so cherished .We all have our Rumis and Shams and we all have Our Allah .Allah has given me my Shams whose my Joy .
ThankYou for such a wonderful and loving poem .