https://emuseum.cornell.edu/internal/media/dispatcher/73238/fullMajnun's father says goodbye to him, page from the story of Layla and Majnun, from a Khamsa of Nizami19th-20th century14 1/2 x 9 3/8 inches (36.8 x 23.8 cm)Opaque watercolors and gold on paperGift of Edward J. Trethaway81.1180Text from "Laila and Majnun," by Nizami (1140-1203). Recto and verso with single illuminated cartouche. Text divided into four columns by outlines in gold, orange and blue; floral patterns in ink decorate these borders. Script in white on a gilt, floral-patterned ground and frame make up the cartouche.Calligraphy18153415338KarimIranThis page of text, written in elegant nastaliq calligraphy, comes from the love of story of Layla and Majnun, one of the most popular sections of the Khamsa of Nizami. After Layla and Majnun fell in love, Layla’s father wouldn’t allow them to get married. Majnun, crazy over Layla’s love, couldn’t tolerate the situation and went to live in the desert. In the text on this page, we read that Majnun’s father went to him and asked him to stop being crazy and return to the city with him, but Majnun refused.
In despair, Majnun’s father said, “I am disappointed that you have not released your love. Now I have become sick and weak and may soon pass away and die. I will worry about you and grieve for you even after my death.” After saying these words, Majnun’s father said goodbye to him, returned to his home, and passed away after some time due to illness.
Hearing the news of his father’s death, Majnun was very sad and cried. He went to his father’s grave, hugged his tombstone, and said, “I am really ashamed of my wrong behavior toward you. When I remember your advice, a cry rises from the bottom of my heart. You were always patient and kind to me, but I never appreciated you and treated you harshly. You got sick because of my sadness, but I was still far from you and in the desert. You always prayed for my recovery, but those prayers had no effect on me. I am sorry for what I did to you; now I am carrying a thousand pains with me. I hurt you a lot, and woe to me if you don't forgive me. I am afraid that if you do not forgive me, God will not forgive me either.”
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