1. A reference to the story of the Prophet hiding in a narrow cave, the entrance to which was quickly covered by a spider’s web; this persuaded his pursuers that he was not inside.
2. The Miraj or night journey, when the Prophet was taken into the heavens by angels (seeing Jesus, Moses and Abraham on the way) and received a revelation of what Muslims believe.
3. Waisa and Ramin and Wamiq and Azra are lovers from legend and romance.
1. A reference to Ali ibn Abi Talib (600–61), the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet. He is regarded as the fourth and final Rightly Guided Caliph by Sunni Muslims, whereas for Shia Muslims he is the Prophet’s first true successor.
2. An ancient Persian hero.
3. Uthman ibn ‘Affan (c. 579–656), a companion of the Prophet, was the third Rightly Guided Caliph of Islam.
4. The hoopoe, a salmon-pink bird, took a letter from Solomon to the Queen of Sheba (Qur’an 27:20–44).
1. Qur’an 93:1.
2. A reference to the wine of Elast.
3. References to the Sun are to Shamsuddin Tabrizi, Rumi’s friend and Sufi master.
1. Two famous Sufis from Baghdad.
2. Fariduddin Attar, the renowned Sufi poet who preceded Rumi.
3. Mansur Hallaj, the Muslim martyr, who was put to death for declaring ‘I am the Truth.’
1. Literally, a beggar, but here used to mean someone with real spiritual knowledge and humility.
1. Qur’an 62:5.