THE BOOK OF BABA AFDAL KASHANI Translation & Introduction Paul Smith Baba Afdal (1186-1256) came from Maraq near Kashan. He is the author of many Persian works on philosophical and metaphysical subjects and translated the Arabic version of Aristotle's 'The Book of the Soul' into Persian. He was a Sufi and the author of about 500 mystical and at times controversial ruba'is some that have been mistakenly identified as Khayyam's. Some of the themes in these include warnings about the futility of involvement with the things of the world, correspondence between microcosm and macrocosm and...

THE BOOK OF BABA TAHIR ORYAN Translation & Introduction Paul Smith Baba Tahir, or Oryan ('The Naked') of Hamadan... approx. 990-1065 A.D., was a great God-intoxicated, or God-mad soul (mast) and possibly a Qutub (Perfect Master) who composed about 120 known ruba'i in a simpler metre than the usual 'hazaj' metre. His simple, mystical poems that he would sing while wandering naked throughout the land had a profound influence on Sufis and dervishes and other ruba'i composers, especially Abu Sa'id, Ibn Sina and Omar Khayyam. Included in the Introduction... The Life, Times & Poetry of Baba Tahir...

THE BOOK OF ABDUL-QADIR BEDIL Translation & Introduction Paul Smith Mirza Abdul-Qader Bedil (1644-1721) is one of the most respected poets from Afghanistan. In the early 17th century, his family moved from Balkh to India, to live under the Mughul dynasty. He was born and educated near Patna. In his later life he spent time travelling and visiting ancestral lands. His writings in Persian are extensive, being one of the creators of the 'Indian style'. Bedil's 16 books of poetry contain nearly 147,000 couplets. With Ghalib he is considered a master of the 'Indian Style' of the ghazal. He had...

THE BOOK OF KAMAL AL-DIN ISFAHANI Translation & Introduction by Paul Smith Kamal al-din Isma'il (1172-1238) known as 'The Creator of Subtle Thoughts') was the son of the court poet Jamal al-din and was one of the last of the great poets of the early days in Isfahan. Both father and son praised their city and the same patrons but Kamal al-din considered himself not only a court poet but a Sufi or Dervish. His qasidas in the style of 'Iraqi were greatly admired and some were said to 'reach the summit of perfection' but it is his many much loved human and divine ruba'is that his fame now rests...

THE BOOK OF YUNUS EMRE Translation & Introduction Paul Smith Yunus Emre (d. 1320) is considered one of the most important Turkish poets having a great influence on Turkish literature from his own time until today. His poems concern divine love as well as human love of the Divine as God and the Perfect Master, Beloved, Friend and human destiny and weakness. Little is known of his life other than he became a Sufi dervish Perfect Master (Qutub). A contemporary of Rumi, it is told the two great souls met: Rumi asked Yunus what he thought of his huge work, the Mesnevi. Yunus said, "Excellent But...

FABRE D'OLIVET Vs NAPOLEON (A Historical Novel of a True Story) PAUL SMITH Monsieur Ferrier, lifelong friend of extraordinary poet, composer, linguist, author, mystic and healer... Fabre D'Olivet stands at his gravesite. Ferrier remembers Fabre's strange encounter with the unforgettable Chrisna, Le Revolution and the influence of libertines Sigault and his sister Amelie until the destinies of the future healer and emperor collide in 1800 when Napoleon seizes power and Fabre criticizes him. After a bizarre assassination attempt Napoleon imprisons him. Before imprisonment Fabre has met his...

THE BOOK OF GHALIB Translation & Introduction Paul Smith Mirza Asadullah Beg (1797-1869}, known as Ghalib (conqueror), a pen-name or takhallus he adopted in the tradition of all classical Urdu poets, was born in the city of Agra of parents with Turkish aristocratic ancestry. When he was only five his father Abdullah Beg Khan died in a battle while working under Rao Raja Bakhtwar Singh of Alwar and his uncle Nasrullah Beg Khan took charge of him. But he lost his uncle also at the age of eight. He then moved to Delhi. He lived on state patronage, credit or the generosity of friends. His fame...

THE RUBA'I (QUATRAIN) IN SUFI POETRY An Anthology Translation & Introduction Paul Smith Introduction includes...Sufis & Dervishes: Their Art and Use of Poetry... The Form of the Ruba'i in Persian, Arabic, Turkish, Urdu & English Sufi & Dervish Poetry & a Glossary. Included with each selection of a particular poet is a brief biography plus a list of further reading. The correct rhyme-structure has been kept as well as the beauty and meaning of these beautiful, mystical poems. THE POETS (in Order of Appearance) Rudaki, Mansur al-Hallaj, Shibli, Baba Tahir, Abu Said, Ibn Sina, Baba Kuhi, Ansari,...

THE BOOK OF RUDAKI Translation & Introduction Paul Smith Abu 'Abd Allah Ja'far ibn Muhammad Rudaki (858-941) the 'father of Persian Poetry' and possibly the ruba'i, was born in the village of Rudak near Samarkand. First a wandering 'dervish' poet/minstrel he later served at the court of the Samanids of Bokhara. Nasr ibn Ahmad summoned him to his court and he prospered there amassing great wealth. He had 200 slaves in his retinue... and 400 camels carried his belongings when he travelled. In 937 he fell out of favour at court (and was blinded at this time as some commentators suggest) after...

THE BOOK OF ZEB-UN-NISSA The Princess Sufi Poet 'Makhfi' Translation & Introduction Paul Smith Princess Zeb-un-Nissa (1638-1702) pen-name 'Makhfi' meaning 'concealed', was the beautiful and talented oldest daughter of the strict Muslim Emperor of India, Aurangzeb. She was imprisoned for 20 years for her Sufi views and conspiring with a brother against him. Her over 550 ghazals and ruba'is in Persian are deep, spiritual and at times truly heartbreaking. The correct forms and spiritual meaning are preserved in this large selection of her poetry. Introduction on her Life & Times and Poetry,...