Joseph and Jacob in Rumi's Poetry
The Biblical Story of Joseph which is known to Muslims within its Quranic Teachings and Islamic perspective as "The most beautiful of stories", has been poetically embedded in numerous verses throughout Rumi's vast poetry works. In the following poems that I've translated from Persian, Rumi has beautifully alluded to the now universally known episodes from Joseph's amazing story: Joseph being the most handsome and favorite of Jacob's sons, his brothers' jealousy, Joseph being thrown into a well by his brethren, his siblings' lying to Jacob that he had been devoured by the wild wolves and showing his bloody coat as the proof, Jacob's losing his sight in longing and grieving for his son, Joseph being sold into slavery in exchange for few coins, his incredible journey to Egypt and his rise to prominence in the Court of Pharaoh due to his "Dream interpreting" talent, and his final humanistic act of forgiveness and reunion with his family.
"The Story of Joseph" is considered as an important source of inspiration for the followers of Sufism, the mystical dimensions of Islam. The Sufis believe that Joseph's suffering, endurance, trials and tribulations, renunciations of both physical and materials comforts, and his ultimate noble act of forgiveness out of love, are the shining examples of a true Sufi's life and deeds. Joseph's separation, arduous journey, and his final reunion with Jacob are the manifestations of the "Stations" or "Valleys" of the Sufi mystical path that a Sufi seeker must journey upon in his or her quest for self purification and ultimate union with God.
In his outstanding book, All the King's Falcons: Rumi on Prophets and Revelation, John Renard (Professor of Theological Studies at Saint Louis University) beautifully explains Rumi's poetic treatment of Joseph (Yosef for Muslims) and Jacob (Yakob for Muslims). I've embedded the entire Chapter titled 'Joseph and His Family' below. I highly recommend reading it in its entirety...Here is also the direct link to the above mentioned Chapter, if you wish to read it online at Google eBook: All the King's Falcons: Rumi on Prophets and Revelation (Chapter 4)
"The Story of Joseph" is considered as an important source of inspiration for the followers of Sufism, the mystical dimensions of Islam. The Sufis believe that Joseph's suffering, endurance, trials and tribulations, renunciations of both physical and materials comforts, and his ultimate noble act of forgiveness out of love, are the shining examples of a true Sufi's life and deeds. Joseph's separation, arduous journey, and his final reunion with Jacob are the manifestations of the "Stations" or "Valleys" of the Sufi mystical path that a Sufi seeker must journey upon in his or her quest for self purification and ultimate union with God.
In his outstanding book, All the King's Falcons: Rumi on Prophets and Revelation, John Renard (Professor of Theological Studies at Saint Louis University) beautifully explains Rumi's poetic treatment of Joseph (Yosef for Muslims) and Jacob (Yakob for Muslims). I've embedded the entire Chapter titled 'Joseph and His Family' below. I highly recommend reading it in its entirety...Here is also the direct link to the above mentioned Chapter, if you wish to read it online at Google eBook: All the King's Falcons: Rumi on Prophets and Revelation (Chapter 4)
ای یوسف سوی این یعقوب نا بینا بیا----یعقوب مسکین پیر شد, ای یوسف برنا بیا
مولانا جلال الدين بلخي رومي
مولانا جلال الدين بلخي رومي
O Joseph, come back to the blind Jacob.
O youthful Joseph,
Poor Jacob has grown too old.
O youthful Joseph,
Poor Jacob has grown too old.
بگو بیوسف یعقوب هجر را در یاب----که بی زپیرهن نصرت تو حبس اوست
مولانا جلال الدين بلخي رومي
Tell Joseph to find his separated Jacob.
Without the "Coat",
Joseph's triumphs are Jacob's tribulations.
چون یوسف از کف گرگان دریده پیرهنم----ولی زهمت یعقوب پاسبان دارم
مولانا جلال الدين بلخي رومي
Just like Joseph,
My "Coat" is also torn to pieces
By the large paws of the savage wolves.
But I also feel well protected
By Jacob's indomitable spirit.
گرچه یکی یوسف و صد گرگ بود----از دم یعقوب کرم رست رست
مولانا جلال الدين بلخي رومي
Though there was only Joseph
Surrounded by a hundred savage wolves,
The fatherly goodwill wishes
Were pouring and pouring
From Jacob's breath.
یعقوب کجا رمد ز یوسف----گر بر پسرانش بار باشد
مولانا جلال الدين بلخي رومي
How could Jacob be disappointed with Joseph,
If to his other sons
Joseph was always a huge burden?
ای یوسف امانت آخر برادرانت----بفروختندت ارزان واندک بها کردند
مولانا جلال الدين بلخي رومي
O honest and innocent Joseph,
You were sold so dirt cheap by your brothers,
Making you worth virtually nothing.
زود ازین چاه تن دست بزن در رسن----برسر چاه آب گو یوسف کنعان رسید
مولانا جلال الدين بلخي رومي
Hurry Up!
Get off the the well and
Hand me the rope.
Like the rising water,
Joseph of Canaan is surfacing
To the top of the well.
چشم یعقوبی ازین بو باز شد----ای خدا این بوی ازکنعان کیست
مولانا جلال الدين بلخي رومي
From the smell of Joseph,
Jacob regained his sight.
O Lord,
From which Canaanite
That smell was coming from?
فخر مصرید چو یوسف هله تعبیر کنید----می رسد یوسف مصری همه اقرار دهید
مولانا جلال الدين بلخي رومي
You're also the pride of Egypt
Just like Joseph, interpret our dreams.
Joseph of Egypt is on his way,
You all better get ready
For your confessions!
نگر یوسف کنعان که از کنار پدر----سفر فتادش تا مصر و گشت مستثنا
مولانا جلال الدين بلخي رومي
Look at Joseph of Canaan
Leaving his father's side,
Journeying to Egypt,
And transforming himself
Into an exceptional Egyptian Prince.
شنیده ایم که یوسف نخفت شب ده سال---برادران رااز حق بخواست آن شه زاد
که ای خدای اگر عفوشان کنی کردی---گرنه درفکنم صدفغان درین بنیاد
مولانا جلال الدين بلخي رومي
We've heard that Joseph didn't sleep at nights
For ten consecutive years,
Pleading every single night with God
On behalf of his brothers:
"O Lord,
Forgive my brothers
Or I'll will fill the foundations of this Palace
With a hundred more cries of mine."
مولانا جلال الدين بلخي رومي
Tell Joseph to find his separated Jacob.
Without the "Coat",
Joseph's triumphs are Jacob's tribulations.
چون یوسف از کف گرگان دریده پیرهنم----ولی زهمت یعقوب پاسبان دارم
مولانا جلال الدين بلخي رومي
Just like Joseph,
My "Coat" is also torn to pieces
By the large paws of the savage wolves.
But I also feel well protected
By Jacob's indomitable spirit.
گرچه یکی یوسف و صد گرگ بود----از دم یعقوب کرم رست رست
مولانا جلال الدين بلخي رومي
Though there was only Joseph
Surrounded by a hundred savage wolves,
The fatherly goodwill wishes
Were pouring and pouring
From Jacob's breath.
یعقوب کجا رمد ز یوسف----گر بر پسرانش بار باشد
مولانا جلال الدين بلخي رومي
How could Jacob be disappointed with Joseph,
If to his other sons
Joseph was always a huge burden?
ای یوسف امانت آخر برادرانت----بفروختندت ارزان واندک بها کردند
مولانا جلال الدين بلخي رومي
O honest and innocent Joseph,
You were sold so dirt cheap by your brothers,
Making you worth virtually nothing.
زود ازین چاه تن دست بزن در رسن----برسر چاه آب گو یوسف کنعان رسید
مولانا جلال الدين بلخي رومي
Hurry Up!
Get off the the well and
Hand me the rope.
Like the rising water,
Joseph of Canaan is surfacing
To the top of the well.
چشم یعقوبی ازین بو باز شد----ای خدا این بوی ازکنعان کیست
مولانا جلال الدين بلخي رومي
From the smell of Joseph,
Jacob regained his sight.
O Lord,
From which Canaanite
That smell was coming from?
فخر مصرید چو یوسف هله تعبیر کنید----می رسد یوسف مصری همه اقرار دهید
مولانا جلال الدين بلخي رومي
You're also the pride of Egypt
Just like Joseph, interpret our dreams.
Joseph of Egypt is on his way,
You all better get ready
For your confessions!
نگر یوسف کنعان که از کنار پدر----سفر فتادش تا مصر و گشت مستثنا
مولانا جلال الدين بلخي رومي
Look at Joseph of Canaan
Leaving his father's side,
Journeying to Egypt,
And transforming himself
Into an exceptional Egyptian Prince.
شنیده ایم که یوسف نخفت شب ده سال---برادران رااز حق بخواست آن شه زاد
که ای خدای اگر عفوشان کنی کردی---گرنه درفکنم صدفغان درین بنیاد
مولانا جلال الدين بلخي رومي
We've heard that Joseph didn't sleep at nights
For ten consecutive years,
Pleading every single night with God
On behalf of his brothers:
"O Lord,
Forgive my brothers
Or I'll will fill the foundations of this Palace
With a hundred more cries of mine."
