In this provocative and soul-stirring Rubai, Omar Khayyam addresses the Divine with a plea for unconditional mercy. He contrasts the Mazhab of “wages and rewards” with the true essence of Irfaan (Gnosis)—Divine Grace. Khayyam argues that if Paradise is earned solely through obedience, it is a simple trade; true Divinity, however, is found in the Lutf (Grace) that embraces a Banda-e-Aasee (Sinful Servant).
Thematic Connections: Grace vs. Reward
Explore the Sufi rejection of ‘merit-based’ paradise in favor of Divine Love:
◈ Allama Iqbal: “Tere Ishq Ki Intiha” — Echoing Khayyam’s sentiment, Iqbal famously declares that the literal Paradise is for the ‘Zahid’ (ascetic), while the lover seeks only the Infinite.
◈ Omar Khayyam Hub: Access the full collection of Rubaiyat exploring the themes of Divine Grace, Law, and the Heart.
من بندہ عاصیم ، رضای تو کجاست
تاریک دلم ، نور صفای تو کجاست
ما را تو بہشت اگر بہ طاعت بخشی
این مزد بود، لطف و عطای تو کجاست
Man Banda Aaseem Razai Tu Kujast
Tariq Dilam, Noor-e-Safai Tu Kujast
Ma Ra Tu Behisht Agar Ba Ta’at Bakhshi
In Muzd Buwad, Lutf-o-Atai Tu Kujast
I am a sinful servant; where is Your pleasure?
My heart is dark; where is the light of Your purity?
If You grant us Paradise only for our obedience,
That is but wages; where is Your Grace and Bounty?
Insight: Wages vs. Grace
This quatrain captures the essence of Khayyam’s Philosophy of Shak (Doubt) used as a tool for deeper faith. By calling himself a “sinful servant,” he moves away from the arrogance of the self-righteous. He posits a daring question: Is God a merchant who pays wages for work, or is He the Infinite Beloved who showers Lutf (Grace) regardless of merit?
Khayyam suggests that the beauty of Divinity lies not in the “justice” of a transaction, but in the “mercy” of the unexpected. This Rubai is a classic example of how Khayyam challenges the external forms of Mazhab to reach the heartbeat of spiritual reality.
Vocabulary: Man Banda Aaseem
- Aasee (عاصی): Sinner; disobedient.
- Raza (رضا): Pleasure; will; satisfaction.
- Safai (صفای): Purity; clarity; brilliance.
- Ta’at (طاعت): Obedience; worship; good deeds.
- Muzd (مزد): Wages; payment for labor.
- Lutf-o-Ata (لطف و عطا): Grace and Bounty; Divine gifts.