In Chapter 10, you read about the rich heritage of storytelling and poetry in the Muslim world. You also learned how Sufism, or Islamic mysticism, enriched Muslim literature. Poets like Rabi'a and Rumi expressed their love and devotion to God through the beautiful language of their poetry.

Omar Khayyam was another Sufi mystic who wrote poetry. He was born in Nishapur, Persia (present-day Iran). Khayyam was not just a poet. He was also a mathematician, scientist, and astronomer. He made significant contributions in each of those areas.

Khayyam's best known achievement is The Rubaiyat. This collection of poems is one of the most widely translated pieces of literature in the world. It was originally written in the Persian language of Farsi and has been translated in to English, French, German, Russian, Chinese, Hindi, Arabic, and many other languages.

Below is an excerpt from The Rubaiyat. It is believed that Khayyam wrote the majority of these verses. Historians also believe that some of the verses were altered or added over time. In the verses below, Khayyam talks about the qualities people should show during their lives. What are some of those qualities?

Excerpt from The Rubaiyat

127 Kindness to friends and foes [enemies] 'tis well to show,
No kindly heart can prove unkind, I trow [think]:
Harshness will alienate a bosom [close] friend,
And kindness reconcile [make friendly] a deadly foe.

228 On the dread [fearful] day of final scrutiny [judgment]
Thou wilt [you will] be rated by thy [your] quality;
Get wisdom and fair qualities to-day,
For, as thou art [as you are], requited wilt thou be [you will be repaid].

406 O thou [you] who hast [has] done ill, and ill alone,
And thinkest to find mercy at the throne [the throne of God],
Hope not for mercy! for good left undone
Can not be done, nor evil done undone!

458 You know all secrets of this earthly sphere,
Why then remain a prey [victim] to empty fear?
You can not bend things to your will, but yet
Cheer up for the few moments you are here!

Source
Fordham.edu, "Medieval Sourcebook: Omar Khayyam, The Rubaiyat," translation by E. H. Whinfield, http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/omarkhayyam-rub2.html.

Investigating Literature

Book readings are often given by authors just after a book gets published. Create a small poster to announce a book reading of The Rubaiyat. This book reading will be given by Omar Khayyam at your local bookstore or library. He will read select verses from his famous work. Your announcement should include