WORLD ISLAMIC MISSION

IN PRAISE OF SAYYADINA MUHAMMAD(S.A.W),
CHIEF OF THE CREATED BEINGS

By SHAYKH SAADI OF SHIRAZ
The great Sufi poet of Iran

English translation by Ziauddin Gulum Mohiuddeen Munshi


GRACIOUS of disposition, of elegant form (Muhammad(s.a.w))
The Prophet of the People, the intercessor of Nations.
The Prelate of Prophets, Leader in the Path (of religion).
The Faithful of God, the Place of Descent of Gabriel.

The Intercessor of Mortals, the Leader of the Day of Resurrection,
The Guide in the Right Path, the Chief of the Court of the Day of Judgment.

The Speaker whose Mount Sinai is the Celestial Sphere
Not only did he reduce to dust Lot and Ozza*
But he (also) went beyond the Pentateuch and the Gospel.
One night, mounted (on Burrak)** he passed beyond the heavens,
And excelled the angels in Majesty and grandeur.
So swiftly did he urge his steed to the propinquity of God
That Gabriel was left behind him at Sidra.***

The chief (Prophet Muhammad(s.a.w)) of the sacred place (Kaaba) addressed Gabriel,
Saying: "O Bearer of Divine revelation! move higher.
When thou didst find me sincere in friendship,
Why didst thou turn away the reins from my company?"
Gabriel replied: "I have no power to move higher,
I remained here because my wings were wanting in power.
If I fly one hair's breadth higher,
The flames of the Glorious Splendour will consume me."

No one on account of his sins will remain in pledge (i.e. in Hell).
Who has such a Leader (Muhammad(s.a.w)) for a guide.
What acceptable eulogy can I bestow upon thee!
Oh! Prophet of mortals, Peace (Salaams) be on thee!
May the benedictions of angels to be on thee!
May they be on thy associates and followers.
First (be on) Abubakar, the old disciple,

All lights are the rays of his (Muhammad's(s.a.w)) splendour.
The Orphan (Muhammad(s.a.w)), who before the Koran was completed

Surpassed the library of so many religions.
When anger drew forth the sword of terror,
By a miracle, he cut the waist of the moon in twain.
When his fame became known to the people of the world,
An earthquake occured in the palace of Kasra! (Nowsherwan).

By means of the words (La-ila ha illallah) he broke in pieces (the idol) Lat.
For the honour of religion, he dishonoured the idol Ozza*
On Omar! twisting in his grasp the contumacious demon (Satan).
On the wise Osman who kept (holy) vigils.
The fourth Ali Shah, the rider of Duldul
Oh God! by the intervention of the sons of Fatima,
May I on the word of faith conclude (my life).
If Thou dost reject my supplications; or if Thou dost accept (it),
I and the hand, and the skirt of the descendants of the Prophet (are together).

Oh thou, of auspicious foot! will anything be wanting
In thy highest dignity, at the shrine of living ones,
That a small tribe of implorers
Should be guests at the house of bliss?

God praised and extolled thee (Muhammad(s.a.w)),
Gabriel kissed the ground in honour of thy worth.
The lofty sky is ashamed before thy worth.
Thou wast created while yet Adam was water and clay;
Thou was from the first the essence of the being of man;
Whatever else has existed is an offshoot from thee
I know not in what words I can speak of thee,
For thou art higher than what I can say of thee.
For thee, the dignity of Laulak is sufficient honour;
Thy praise (in the verse of the Koran) "Ta ha wa yasin," is sufficient.
What praise can the imperfect Saadi bestow on thee
Salutations and benedictions be on thee! Oh Prophet of Allah!