ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books The Life of Imam Musa Bin Ja'far Al-kazim Chapter X his love poetry. The honorable and the enthusiastic were displeased with that. An example of that is that Yazid b. Mansur came in to al-Mehdi and asked him to stop Bashshar and to prevent him from writing love poetry, and al-Mehdi summoned him and prohibited him from that. In this respect Bashshar says: I lived among plants of sweet-basil, wine, and flowers under the protection of a good gathering.

I filled the land among Faghfor,[1] al-Qayrawan, and the Yemen with poetry to which the people pray just as the errant pray to an idol. Then al-Mehdi prevented me from that, so my soul turned away (from that) due to the good deed of the successful one who quickly understands. Therefore, praise belongs to Allah with Whom there is no partner, nothing will stay forever. Yet Bashshar secretly went on composing love poetry and practicing dissoluteness.

In this respect he says: I have seen a good view of a slave girl's face, and I ransomed it. She sent for me to offer for sale the garment of youth while I had folded it. By Allah, the Lord of Muhammed, I did not betray, nor did I intend (to betray). I refrained from it; perhaps accidentally tribulation came, and I did not seek it. Surely the Caliph refused (it); when he refuses a thing, I also refuse it. The gallant King prevented me from the women and I did not oppose him.

Rather, I was loyal and broke neither covenant nor promise. It is I who is towering over the enemies; and when praise is expensive, I will buy it. I incline to the amusement of the drinking companion though I feel no appetite for it. The lover's house fills me with longing when I leave in the early morning. The Caliph has prevented me from (going to her) though I have not hated her.

Bashshar has also said: I have buried love, so I will not visit neither Sulama nor Saffra' as long as the turtle dove cooks. I have left the communication with her for the sake of the Mehdi of mankind and conformed to the covenant between us, which is not betrayal. [1] A Chinese king. Were it not for Muhammed (al-Mehdi), I would kiss her on the mouth or I would break my fast through her.

By my life, a sin has burdened my own soul, so I do not want to commit sin by sin.[1] Al-Mehdi straitened Bashshar in the beginning, and then he released him. Then a current of dissoluteness and prostitution carried Bashshar away.