An Overview of Life and Works of Jami &amp; His Perception of Love

Leyla Hajimehditajer

doi:10.17077/2168-538x.1122

Abstract

Abd al-Rahman Jami (817/1414- 898/1492) is regarded as the last grand classical poet of Persian literature and a great Sufi of his time. Towards the end of his life, he compiled his Divan in which one can trace his life pattern that he has divide into three main phases. These include: 1) the period of his childhood and early phases of education, which is reported in Fātiḥah al-Shabāb; 2) his mid-life phase as elaborated in Wāsiṭah al-‘Aqd; and, 3) the last stage of his life, discussed in Khātimah al-Ḥayāt. In the latter, Jami tends to evaluate his life span in search of elixir of salvation. This search led him to an elevated stage of self-realization where he questioned his previous actions and all that which he was praised for, i.e. a prolific writer, an imaginative poet, and a distinguished commentator of Sufi thought. This spiritual self-assessment eventually directed him to the path of ‘love’ – the transforming power that reveals the essential meaning of life, realization of the inner divine self, and that which could bring about union with God. This paper intends to trace Jami’s transformation of thought, character and worldview. It begins with a bibliographical account followed by an elaboration of the three phases of Jami’s life, his status as a poet, a melting pot of Sufism, and, finally his perception of true love and its transforming and purifying effect on the seeker of truth.

Highlights

Abd al-Rahman Jami (1414 - 1492) was one of the most accomplished and lastingly influential figures across many fields of Islamic thought, literature, and religious life; he was a masterful and prolific poet, the most famous theologian and philosopher, a dedicated Sufi teacher and hagiographer, and a significant figure in the artistically prolific Timurid court.[2]. He wrote in all poetic forms, especially ghazal (Persian poems usually on love, with monorhyme) and mathnawī (Persian poem in rhyming couplets, mainly for didactic, romantic, and heroic themes)
He was an artist known for his good calligraphic skills
Jami was well aware of his aptitude in composing poetry, the superiority of his verses over his contemporaries, and his ability to appeal to his Sufi audience through his poetry.[65]

Summary

Introduction

Abd al-Rahman Jami (1414 - 1492) was one of the most accomplished and lastingly influential figures across many fields of Islamic thought, literature, and religious life; he was a masterful and prolific poet (in a wide range of genres), the most famous theologian and philosopher, a dedicated Sufi teacher and hagiographer, and a significant figure in the artistically prolific Timurid court.[2] He wrote in all poetic forms, especially ghazal (Persian poems usually on love, with monorhyme) and mathnawī (Persian poem in rhyming couplets, mainly for didactic, romantic, and heroic themes). Since Ibn Arabi’s teaching had a colossal impact on his school, he may be considered as one of the interpreters of Ibn Arabi’s school.[10]

BIOGRAPHICAL SOURCES OF JAMI

MYSTICAL LIFE OF JAMI

CONCLUSION