Translated by JAWID MOJADDEDI

The great Muslim scholar and mystical poet Jalal al-Din Rumi has been a bestselling poet in North America. This, however, has not changed common misperceptions of Muslims with many English-speaking readers viewing Muslims as a literalist, intolerant and self-righteous mass. Adding to this unfortunate fact, more disaffected young Muslims are being attracted to politicized interpretations of Islam sometimes confirming this stereotype. So when popular translations divorce Rumi's poetry from his original Islamic context, readers can't be expected to make the connection. Yet his teachings of humility, farsightedness and generosity are as popular among most Muslims as to individuals of other faiths. It was the Islamic tradition that gave Rumi his wisdom and enthusiasm for poetry. As Rumi's 800th birthday approaches in September, we offer as a timely reminder this annotated translation of "Moses and the Shepard," probably the most popular story in Rumi's Masnavi among Muslims.

Moses condemns the prayer of a shepherd

Once Moses overheard a shepherd pray:
        'O God! O Lord!' he heard this shepherd say,
'Where do you live that I might serve you there?
        I'd mend your battered shoes and comb your hair,
And wash your clothes, and kill the lice and fleas,
        And serve you milk to sip from when you please;
I'd kiss your little hand, and rub your feet,
        And sweep your bedroom clean and keep it neat;
I'd sacrifice my herd of goats for you-
        This loud commotion proves my love is true.'
He carried on in this deluded way,
        So Moses asked, 'What's that I hear you say?'
'I speak to my Creator there on high,
        The one who also made the earth and sky.'
Moses replied, 'You've truly lost your way;
        You've given up the faith and gone astray.
It's gibberish and babble, stupid twit-
        You'd better learn to put a cork in it!
Your blasphemy pollutes the atmosphere
        And tears to shreds that silk of faith so sheer.
While socks and shoes might be superb for you,
        How can they fit the sun? Have you a clue?
If you don't shut your mouth immediately,
        A fire will burn up all humanity!
You don't believe? Then please explain this smoke,
        And why your soul turned black when you just spoke!
If you're aware that He is God, our Lord,
        Why act familiar when that is abhorred?
Such stupid friendship's truly enmity;
        The Lord's above such acts of piety.
For relatives reserve your generous deeds-
        God has no body, nor material needs:
Milk is for creatures who must drink and eat;
        Shoes are for those who have a need for feet.'
Even when you address his chosen slave
        Select your words with care, don't misbehave,
Since God has said, "I'm he and he is I;
        When I was ill you never once stopped by:[1]
He wasn't left alone with his disease,
        That servant who through me both hears and sees."[2]
Don't talk to saints without the reverence due!
        It blocks your heart, and blots your record too.
If you address a man by Fatima's [3] name,
        Though man and woman are inside the same,
He'll still seek vengeance for it if he can,
        Even if he's a calm and patient man-
That glorious name which women all revere
        Can wound a man more deeply than a spear.
While hands and feet are great for you and me,
        They'd just contaminate God's purity-
He was not born, nor does the Lord beget, [4]
        But reproducing beings are in his debt.
Those with a body were once born, and must
        Remain until death in this realm of dust;
That is because we wither and decay;
        Unlike our Maker we must fade away.
The shepherd said, 'Your words have struck me dumb,
        Regret now burns my soul, and I feel numb.'
He breathed a heavy sigh and ripped his cloak,
        Then in the desert disappeared like smoke.

God rebukes Moses for what he said to the shepherd

A revelation came down instantly:
        'You have just turned a slave away from me!
Was not to lead to union why you came?
        Is causing separation now your aim?
As far as possible don't separate-
        Above all else divorce is what I hate. [5]
I've given each one his own special ways
        And his unique expressions when he prays;
What he thinks virtuous you deem scandalous:
        This person's meat to you seems poisonous.
I stand immune to all impurity;