Longing & Lament for Imam al-Mahdi
نه وصلت دیده بودم کاشکی ای گل نه هجرانت
که جانم در جوانی سوخت ای جانم به قربانت
I wish I had never known union with you, O rose—nor your separation,
For my soul in is burned in youth; may my life be yours to claim.
تحمل گفتی و من هم که کردم سالها اما
چقدر آخر تحمل بلکه یادت رفته پیمانت
You spoke of patience—and I bore it year after year,
But how long must I endure? Perhaps you have forgotten your vow.
چو بلبل نغمه خوانم تا تو چون گل پاکدامانی
حذر از خار دامنگیر کن دستم به دامانت
Like the nightingale I sing, for you remain chaste like a rose;
Beware the snaring thorns—I come to you in utter helplessness.
تمنای وصالم نیست عشق من مگیر از من
به دردت خو گرفتم نیستم در بند درمانت
I do not beg for union—only do not take this love from me;
I have grown used to your pain—I care not for the cure.
امید خستهام تا چند گیرد با اجل کشتی
بمیرم یا بمانم پادشاها چیست فرمانت
How long must my weary hope wrestle with death?
Shall I die or remain? O King, what is your command?
شبی با دل به هجران تو ای سلطان ملک دل
میان گریه میگفتم که کو ای ملک سلطانت
One night, in grief for your absence, O sovereign of the heart's realm,
Through tears I asked my heart: “Where is your king, O kingdom?”
چه شبهایی که چون سایه خزیدم پای قصر تو
به امیدی که مهتاب رخت بینم در ایوانت
How many nights, like a shadow, I crept near your palace gate,
Hoping to glimpse the moonlight of your face upon the balcony.
به گردنبند لعلی داشتی چون چشم من خونین
نباشد خون مظلومان؟ که میگیرد گریبانت
You wore a ruby necklace—red as my weeping eyes;
Does not the blood of the lovers seize you?
دل تنگم حریف درد و اندوه فراوان نیست
امان ای سنگدل از درد و اندوه فراوانت
My anxious heart cannot bear this endless sorrow and grief,
Have mercy, O stone-hearted one, for your pain is too great to bear.
به شعرت شهریارا بیدلان تا عشق میورزند
نسیم وصل را ماند نوید طبع دیوانت
O Shahriar, as long as the lovelorn live and love through your verses,
The breeze of union carries the glad tidings of your Diwan’s inspiration.
Shahriar, Divan, "Longing and Lament for Imam al-Mahdi (a.s.)"
Translated by Rasoul Rahbari-Ghazani, 1 September 2025
Watch our analysis of this poem.
How can mystical poetry awaken us to the deeper dimensions of love, patience, and hope? In this episode of the Shi'i Mysticism Podcast, we explain the moving verses of Shahriar, whose poetry expresses both longing and devotion toward the Perfect Human (insan al-kamil): Imam al-Mahdi (a.s.). This poem, recited in its original Farsi and followed by in-depth English commentary, captures the essence of Persian mystical poetry, Islamic mysticism (irfan), sufism, and Shi‘i eschatology. Shahriar’s lament is not simply about absence; it is a profound meditation on union, separation, covenant, and the spiritual bond that transcends time and suffering. The imagery of roses, nightingales, thorns, and moonlight becomes a language of love, patience, and surrender to divine wisdom. His verses embody the paradox of mystical love—where pain becomes a sustaining force, guiding the soul closer to truth.