ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books The Wine of Love, Mystical Poetry of Imam Khomeini Letters Fatimah Tabataba’i’s Letter to Imam Khomeini In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful The fragrance of union with you has ignited these sparks within me; But grief in my breast for you has extinguished their flaring in me. What a sign to the worlds are you, worlds resounding so mournfully, With cries to Whom all praise is due, extolling His endless Glory!

[^1] My dear Imam, my revered guide! Those responsible for the publication of your works have asked me to write what I know about the manner in which you composed your mystic[^2] poetry, so that a small window could thereby be opened upon this dimension of your existence for the eyes of your devotees. But when I pick up the pen, the sorrow of your loss keeps me from writing, and grief over your departures does not release me. Alas, without you, our house has no light or radiance.

Every place in the house bears some token of you. The perfume of your presence is everywhere. Your little ‘Ali[^3] is constantly looking for you and asking about you. Since we told him that you are in heaven, in his eagerness to see you he keeps on gazing toward the sky and the stars. No more than three months have elapsed since your spiritual journey. Every day your devotees gather at the Husayniyyah [^4] and at your house and weep like bereaved lovers.

They strew petals in the passageway between the house and the Husayniyyah . My pir ![^5] You were aware of your lover’s state: you knew about my enamored soul, and you knew how enthralled by you and how agitated I am, so how could you leave me alone? How can I, who have spent my entire life in the shining rays of your existence, now live in darkness?! In this, my black night, I’ve lost the way to my intended. Come out from some corner, oh star of guidance!

[^6] I will leave an account of this sore grief and anguish for another opportunity, and confine myself to what has been requested of me, because: The stories of the gnostic masters nourish the soul. Go, ask of the mystery; then come, and tell us the tale .[^7] When I was reading philosophical texts required for my field of study, I would occasionally bring some of the difficult and obscure passages of a book before Imam (may his grave be hallowed) for consultation.

These question and answer periods were soon transformed into twenty minute lessons.