Poetry Chaikhana
Sacred Poetry from Around the World

Muslim / Sufi

11th Century

About Abu-Said Abil-Kheir

Timeline (967 - 1049)

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English version by
Vraje Abramian

Original Language
Persian/Farsi

[38] A pious one with a hundred beads on your rosary,

Commentary by
Ivan M. Granger

Themes

Heart

Lover and Beloved

Pain and Wounding

Separation

Recommended Books

	The Drunken Universe: An Anthology of Persian Sufi Poetry, Translated by Peter Lamborn Wilson / Translated by Nasrollah Pourjavady
	Love's Alchemy: Poems from the Sufi Tradition, Translated by David Fideler / Translated by Sabrineh Fideler
	The Mystics of Islam, by Reynold A. Nicholson
	Nobody, Son of Nobody: Poems of Shaikh Abu-Saeed Abil-Kheir, Translated by Vraje Abramian
	Under the Sufi's Cloak: Stories of Abu Said and His Mystical Teaching, by Mohammad Ali Jamnia / Mojdeh Bayat

A pious one with a hundred beads on your rosary,
or a drunkard in a tavern,
any gift you bring the Beloved will be accepted
as long as you come in longing.
It is this most secret pain,
this bleeding separation,
which will guide you to your Heart of Hearts.

-- from Nobody, Son of Nobody: Poems of Shaikh Abu-Saeed Abil-Kheir, Translated by Vraje Abramian

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Commentary by Ivan M. Granger

Some beautiful lines to meditate upon in this poem. Rather than fleeing from that deep spiritual ache, settle down into it. Let it burn. "This most secret pain" magnetizes us, drawing us naturally into "the Heart of Hearts."

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Poetry Chaikhana Sacred Poetry from Around the World

About Abu-Said Abil-Kheir

Poetry Chaikhana
Sacred Poetry from Around the World