Mawlânâ Rûmî's Praises of the Prophet Muhammad
(peace be upon him)

Selections from "Rumi and Islam" (2004), translations from
Persian by Ibrahim Gamard (with transliterations from the Persian
text added for this article)

I bring blessings upon you, (O Muhammad), so that the breeze of
nearness (to God) may increase. Since, with nearness of the
Whole, all parts are allowed to approach.

Salât bar tô âr-am ke fozûda bâd qurbat
ke ba-qurb-é kul gard-ad hama juzw-hâ muqarab
--from Mawlânâ's Ghazal No. 301, verse 3286
--from "Rumi and Islam," p. 139


Suddenly, there grew a "branch of candy."
(And) suddenly, there bubbled such a Water of (Eternal) Life.
Suddenly, there flowed alms (to the poor) from the king.
(May) there be joy for the soul of Muhammad, and greetings (of
peace)!

nâgâh be-rûyîd yakê shâkh-é nabât
nâgâh be-jôshîd chonîn âb-é Hayât
nâgâh rawân shod ze-shahanshah Sadaqât
shâdîy-é rawân-é muSTafâ-râ Salawât

 --Mawlânâ's Rubâ`î No. 103
--from "Rumi and Islam," p. 139


The spirit that was bound within the form of attributes
Went to the (Divine) Essence by means of the light of
(Muhammad) the Chosen.
The moment it started going, it said out of joy,
"Blessings (be) on the joyful spirit of (Muhammad) the Chosen!"

ân rûH ke basta bûd dar naqsh-é Sifât
az partaw-é muSTafà rawân shod bar Zât
ân dam ke rawân gasht, ze shâdî mê-goft:
"shâdiy-é rawân-é muSTafà-râ Salawât"

 --Mawlânâ's Rubâ`î No. 107
--from "Rumi and Islam," p. 141


Just as, during the night of the Ascension, God made (the greeting
of peace) with the Light of the Absolute upon Muhammad: "Peace
be upon you."

chon-ân-ke kard khodâwand dar shab-é mi`raj
ba-nûr-é muTlaq bar muSTafà salâm `alayk

 --from Mawlânâ's Ghazal No. 1321, verse 13996
--from "Rumi and Islam," p. 141


There has never been a beauty like that of a (Prophet like)
Muhammad in this world or the next. May the Glory of God help
him!

chûn jamâl-é aHmadê dar har dô kawn
kay bod-ast ay farr-é yazdânî-sh `awn

 --from Mawlânâ's Masnavî, Book 6: verse 676
--from "Rumi and Islam," p. 145


A voice from the lofty ones (among the angels came) from Heaven
to every beggar: "O pure spirit of the one who is followed! O
"Mercy to (all) peoples"! [Qur'ân 21:107]

az âsmân dar har ghadâ az `uluwîy-ân âyad nadâ
k-ay rûH-é pâk-é muqtadâ, "yâ raHmata li-l-`âlamîn"
--from Mawlânâ's Ghazal No. 1800, verse 18914
--from "Rumi and Islam," p. 145


Yet, I have seen the signs of Your Grace and Kindness in the
appearance of that incomparable Pearl, O Generous One.

Since, although he is from (among) us, he doesn't resemble us. We
are entirely (like) copper, and Muhammad is (like) the (alchemical)
elixir.

lêk dar sîmây-é ân durr-é yatîm
dîda-am âSâr-é luTf-at ay karîm

ke na-mê-mân-ad ba-mâ, gar-che ze-mâ-st
mâ hama mess-êm-o aHmad kîmiyâ-st

 --from Mawlânâ's Masnavî, Book 4, verses 990-91
--from "Rumi and Islam," p. 145


Muhammad broke many idols in the world, so that (religious)
communities were saying, "O (our Sustaining) Lord!"

If it had not been for Muhammad's efforts, you also would have
worshiped idols like your ancestors.

This head of yours has escaped from prostrating to idols, so that
you may recognize his claim (of gratitude) upon the (religious)
community.

If you speak, talk about gratitude for this liberation, so that he may
also free you from the inward idol.

Because he freed your head from (worship of) idols, you should
also liberate your heart by means of that power.

chand bot be-sh'kast aHmad dar jahân
tâ ke "yâ rab" gôy gasht-and ummat-ân

gar na-bûdy kûsh-ash-é aHmad tô ham
mê-parast-îdy chô ajdâd-at Sanam

în sar-at wâ rast az sajda-ye Sanam
tâ be-dân-î Haqq-é ô-râ bar umam

gar be-gôy-î shukr-é în rastan be-gô
k-az bot-é bâTin ham-at be-r'hân-ad ô

mar sar-at-râ chûn rahânîd az bot-ân
ham ba-d-ân quwwat tô del-râ wâ rahân
--from Mawlânâ's Masnavî, Book 2, verses 366-70
--from "Rumi and Islam," p. 149


We learned the skill of being a (true) man from God. We are the
heroes of Love and the companions of Muhammad.

pêsha-ye mardî ze-Haq âmûkht-êm
pahlaw-ân-é `ishq-o yâr-é aHmad-êm
--from Mawlânâ's Ghazal No. 1669, verse 17499
--from "Rumi and Islam," p. 151


Be among the community (of believers) who are blessed by
(Divine) Mercy. Don't abandon the way of conduct of Muhammad,
(but) be commanded (by it).

dar meyân-é ummat-é marHûm bâsh
sunnat-é aHmad ma-hel, maHkûm bâsh
--from Mawlânâ's Masnavî, Book 6, verse 483
--from "Rumi and Islam," p. 161


He brings all of those (who are) led astray into the Way out of the
desert. May Muhammad be the guide on the Way of God forever!

gom-rah-ân-râ ze-beyâbân hama dar râh âr-ad
muSTafà bar rah-é Haq tâ ba-abad rahbân bâd
--from Mawlânâ's Ghazal No. 792, verse 8289
--from "Rumi and Islam," p. 181