JÁMÍ

BY

F. HADLAND DAVIS

AUTHOR OF "JALÁLU'D-DÍN RÚMÍ," ETC.

WISDOM OF THE EAST

THE PERSIAN MYSTICS

LONDON

JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET, W.

1918

"With men of light I sought these pearls to string,
The drift of mystics' sayings forth to bring."
JÁMÍ

TO
ALL THOSE WHO FIND IN THE
WISDOM AND MYSTICISM OP THE EAST
GREAT BEAUTY AND A GREAT PEACE
THIS LITTLE BOOK IS INSCRIBED

PREFACE

In the preparation of this little volume much depended upon the kindness and generosity of certain Oriental scholars, who have allowed me to reproduce some of their translations from Jámí. I have attempted to give their best work in so far as it tends to illustrate the mystical teaching of the last great poet of Persia.

Once more I am indebted to Mr. E. H. Whinfield for permission to quote from his translation of the Lawá'ih (Oriental Translation Fund, New Series, vol. xvi., Royal Asiatic Society, London). I have to thank Prof. Edward G. Browne for allowing me to use his beautiful translation from Yúsuf and Zulaikha, which I have called "The Coming of the Beloved." This translation appears, in fuller form, in Prof. E. G. Browne's article on "Súfíism" in Religious Systems of the World (Sonnenschein). The chapter in the present volume entitled "The Story of Yúsuf and Zulaikha" originally appeared in the Orient Review, and I am indebted to the editors for their courtesy in allowing me to reproduce it here. I very much appreciate Mr. E. Edwards's kindly interest in my work, and for the valuable suggestions he has made from time to time. I tender my thanks to Messrs. Kegan Paul for allowing me to make a selection from Yúsuf and Zulaikha, translated by the late Mr. Ralph T. Griffith (Trübner's Oriental Series).

The translations from Salámán and Absál are by Edward FitzGerald, and those from the Baháristán were originally published by the Kama Shastra Society.

F. HADLAND DAVIS

LONDON,
March,1908.

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

SELECTIONS FROM "SALÁMÁN AND ABSÁL"
SELECTIONS FROM THE "LAWÁ'IH"
SELECTIONS FROM "YÚSUF AND ZULAIKHA"
SELECTIONS FROM THE "BAHÁRISTÁN"

EDITORIAL NOTE

The object of the editors of this series is a very definite one. They desire above all things that, in their humble way, these books shall be the ambassadors of good-will and understanding between East and West, the old world of Thought, and the new of Action. In this endeavour, and in their own sphere, they are but followers of the highest example in the land. They are confident that a deeper knowledge of the great ideals and lofty philosophy of Oriental thought may help to a revival of that true spirit of Charity which neither despises nor fears the nations of another creed and colour.

L. CRANMER-BYNG.
S. A. KAPADIA.

NORTHBROOK SOCIETY,
21 CROMWELL ROAD,
KENSINGTON, S.W.

INTRODUCTION

I. THE LIFE OF JÁMÍ

Nur-addín 'Abd-alrahmán Jámí was born in Jám[1] the 23rd of Sha'bán, 817, A.H. (Nov. 7, 1414 A.D.), and died at Herát the 18th of Muharram, 898 A.H. (Nov. 9, 1492 A.D.). Dr. Hermann Ethé gives Khasjird, near Jám, as the birthplace of the poet; but as Jámí himself refers more than once to the fact of Jám being his birthplace, we must give the poet the benefit of the doubt and I trust to his good memory in the matter. The fact that Jám and Khasjird are in close proximity I has probably given rise to confusion in the matter. It will be evident that the poet took his name from the first-mentioned town.

In 822 A.H. Khwájah Mohammad Pársá happened to pass through the little town of Jám, en route for Hijàz. A great concourse of people came out to do the holy man honour, and among them was the little boy, Jámí, and his father. A pretty story is told of how Jámí's father seated his son in front of Khwájah's litter. I do not think the little fellow laughed very much, as most boys would have done on such a joyous occasion, because Jámí, writing on his impression of that day sixty years after, tells us that "The pure refulgence of his (Mohammad Pársá's) beaming countenance is even now, as then, clearly visible to me, and my heart still feels the joy I experienced from that happy meeting. I firmly believe that that bond of union, friendship, confidence, and love, which subsequently bound the great body of pious spirits to this humble creature, is wholly due to the fortunate influence of his glance, and most devoutly do I trust that the auspiciousness of this union may cause me to be