In composing an ode in praise of you
Beautiful words spring to mind
But in praising someone other than you
My tongue falters, the words lie
For you are inherently gracious, exalted
Such gifts are innate to your very nature
Your right hand scatters blessed rain upon the creation
Your forehead is dawn itself, your face a glittering star
You are the illustrious one through whose light we are illuminated
Our beloved, for whom we would give our lives
Indeed, if the festival of Nawrūz is to be filled with joy
It is only through your light that it becomes resplendent
God’s blessings upon you, O son of the Prophet
For indeed you are a time-tested sword to fight life’s sorrows
—Al-Amīr Tamīm b. al-Muʿizz.
Prince Tamīm (d. 374/984), talented poet and the eldest son of the Fatimid imam-caliph al-Muʿizz (d. 365/975).
Faquir M. Hunzai, Shimmering Light: An Anthology of Ismaili Poetry (London, 1996), p. 41.
Ismailimail 