Sufi Poetry at The Literary Table

At The Literary Table I have the first in a series of planned posts on “Sufi Poetry.” This was preceded by a four-part installment (a ‘propaedeutic’) on “Islam and Poetry,” the links to which are found in the above post.  

 

The image is a Mughal period depiction of the Basmala or Bismillah. This phrase is recited before each sūrah in the Qur’ān save the ninth, and is used in a number of contexts by Muslims. The Basmala is therefore recited several times a day as part of Muslim daily prayers (salāt). It reads as follows:

bismi-llāhi r-rahmāni r-rahīm

In the name of God, Merciful to All, Compassionate to Each!

Or,

In the name of God, most Compassionate, most Merciful.

Or,

In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Caring.

Or,

In the name of God, the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy.

Or,

In the name of God, most Gracious, most Merciful.

Or,

In the name of God, most Gracious, most Compassionate.

Or,

In the name of God, the Infinitely Good, the All-Merciful.

 

Comments

[Steve Shiffrin]

Patrick
Thanks much for this. I will track down the other posts and look forward to the future posts you mention. Perhaps you might cross-post them here so we will be sure to look.
Steve