POEM # 16
God's Attributes
(Dr. Nicholson)
Jalaluddin Rumi
(Text & Explanation)
Reference:
These
lines have been taken from the poem "God's Attributes" written
by Jalaluddin
Rumi, and translated by Dr. Nicholson.
Context:
The
poem describes the importance of Divine attributes in Man's life.
God's attributes are effective in guiding man on the right path.
Lines (1 – 4)
God calls Himself 'Seeing to the end that
His eye may scare you from sinning.
God calls Himself 'Hearing' to the end that
You may close your lips against foul discourse.
Explanation:
In
these lines, the poet emphasizes the need for character building. He says
that God's attributes help us in our character building. When God calls himself
‘Seeing’, it means that He urges us not to adopt the wrong path.
Similarly, when God calls himself 'Hearing', He urges us not to weak foul
against others. With His divine attributes, he wants us that we should
recognize his presence and avoid committing sins.
Lines (5 – 6)
God
calls Himself 'Knowing' to the end that
You
may be afraid of Him to plot evil.
Explanation:
In
these lines, the poet describes God's knowledge. When God says that He
knows to the end, it means that He knows our actions. Nothing is
concealed from His eyes. He knows how we speak and act. He just wants to make
us think that we should avoid plotting against others. In this way, God's
attributes are great blessings for man.
Lines (7 - 10)
These
are not mere accidental names of God
As
a Negro may be called camphor;
So
are these names derived from God's attributes?
And
not mere vain titles of the First Cause
Explanation:
In
these lines, the poet says that God's attributes are not accidental names. A Negro
may accidentally be called camphor, but God's attributes are justified. The
redemption of man depends upon his firm belief in God and His attributes.
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