Farsi Fridays: June 3, 2022
/Though it is now translated in to hundreds of languages, Rumi’s original work was written in Farsi – including his famous Mathnawi. Each Friday we send out a word or phrase, in Farsi, that can be found in Rumi’s work. You can listen to the pronunciation and learn the meaning of Farsi words that often appear in Rumi's poetry.
Farsi Fridays is an opportunity to learn Rumi's language and better understand his wisdoms.
“The word عقل in Farsi refers to rationality. The way we logically relate to reality in a logical, rational way. The root of the word عقل in Arabic means to tie which means to associate. This word in Sufism has lower and higher domain. If the faculties of our thoughts are disordered and does not match reality we are functioning in the lower domain of our mind. A supreme rationality can be God’s rationality which can see through reality and beyond.
In this tradition by seeking the closeness to God we can acquire this higher functionality as human.”
عقل
“rationality”
Below are moments from Rumi’s Mathnawi where he uses the word عقل (“rationality”)…
هشیاری دهد
عقلها مر عقل را یاری دهد
“Including more perceptions and associating them will bring more understanding
since knowledge of others will bring more support and knowing.”
~Rumi
Source: Mathnawi I, 1043
Translated by Fariba Enteshari, © Rumi Educational Center