Poem by Ahmad Shawqi

2015
Sülüs and nesih scripts. Black ink on ahar paper, gouache and gold. 92 x 57 cm. Illuminated by Gulsum Gugercin. "Guidance was born and all created things were illumined / And the mouth of the ages (time) was all smiles and praise / O best of those who came into existence in grand glory and authority (e.g., prophets) / Envoys to right guidance came informing of you (prophesying his coming) / God gave glad tidings to the heavens about you and it was beautified / And on your account the dust diffused the fragrance of musk / And your face appeared which is comprised ofTruth / and its highlight is guidance and modesty / Excellent traits embellished your awesome character / By which the noble are enraptured and enamored / And when you got angry, it was only anger For the sake of truth, not malice or hatred / And when you judged an altercation, it was without doubt as if / Judgment come to the dispute from heaven / And when you took a pledge / oath or gave it / Then all of your pledge/pact was a covenant and fidelity / And when you pardoned, it was from a position of strength and ordained / The ignorant and uncouth should not underestimate your pardon / And when you showed compassionate mercy, then you were mother and father / These two are in this world the compassionate merciful ones / And when you walked towards the enemy, it was as a lion / And when you ran, it was as the wind." Ahmad Shawqi