Yusuf and Zulaikha: An Allegorical RomanceA romantic tale which, as sheer gripping entertainment, bears comparison with the finest in any age or country. Described in the Koran as "the most beautiful of stories," the romance of Yusuf and Zulaikha is a theme to which Eastern poets have constantly returned. Undoubtedly, in Jami's deeply moving and thought-provoking version, it finds its finest expression. Written by the great Sufi poet in 1483 A.D., this masterpiece explores the intimate and many-leveled relationship between love and beauty and portrays erotic and divine love, not as irre-concilable opposites, but as an allegorical continuum. |
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abode affliction allegory appear asked beauty beloved beloved's bird breast Bricteux bring burning captive Caravan of Dreams cheeks couplet cried curtain cypress dawn delight dream dust Egypt eternal eyes face father favour filled flame fortune fragrance garden gave gaze gold golden grace Grand Vizier grief hair Hakim Sanai halva hand happy head heard heart heart's desire heaven Herat honour houris hundred Idries Shah J. G. Bennett Jami Jami's jewel Kaaba Khwajagan King kiss light locks look lover mind moon musk mystery Naqshbandi never night nurse once palace palanquin passion path peace pearls perfumed perfumed garden Persian Persian language poet prison Qur'an replied robe rose secret sighs sight slave sleep smile someone sorrow soul splendour suddenly suffering Sufi sweet tears tell throne torments translation treasure turn veil whole wisdom wish words youth Yusuf and Zulaikha