Simin Behbahani: A Voice Against Cultural Erosion

In the realm of Persian poetry, Simin Behbahani stands as a formidable figure whose works reflect deep socio-cultural critique and passionate advocacy for Iranian identity. Her poetry, often interwoven with themes of justice, love, and resistance, takes a poignant stance against the erosion of Iranian cultural and intellectual heritage. One of her notable poems, translated into English, delves into the heart of this cultural conflict, offering a profound commentary on the shifting religious dynamics in Iran.

The Rich Tapestry of Iranian History

Iran, historically known as Persia, boasts a civilization rich in culture, science, and art. From the grandeur of the Achaemenid Empire to the intellectual flowering of the Sassanian period, Iran has been a beacon of knowledge and culture. The pre-Islamic era, marked by Zoroastrianism and other indigenous beliefs, laid the foundation for a society deeply rooted in its traditions and intellectual pursuits.

The advent of Islam in the 7th century brought about significant changes. While the new religion enriched Persian culture in many ways, it also led to the gradual Arabization of certain aspects of Iranian society. Over centuries, Iran’s unique cultural identity has had to constantly negotiate its space within the broader Islamic world.

Behbahani’s Critique: A Cry for Cultural Revival

In her poem, Behbahani laments the current state of her nation, bound by rigid religious practices that she views as remnants of Arab influence rather than authentic Iranian spirituality. Her verses reflect a deep-seated frustration with the way these practices have overshadowed Iran’s rich cultural and intellectual heritage.

“We are a destitute nation, bound by prayer, Chasing superstitions, stretching towards the Qibla…”

Behbahani’s opening lines set the tone for a scathing critique of a society engrossed in ritualistic piety while neglecting rational thought and scientific advancement. The “Qibla,” the direction Muslims face during prayer, symbolizes for her a misplaced focus on external forms of worship rather than the internal quest for knowledge and understanding.

“The wise God is forgotten by all, With a black stone, we confide and converse!”

Here, she contrasts the profound wisdom that once characterized Iranian spirituality with the current fixation on ritualistic objects, represented by the “black stone” of the Kaaba. This line underscores her belief that true divinity and wisdom have been overshadowed by empty rituals.

The Consequences of Cultural Amnesia

Behbahani’s poem is not merely a critique but a dire warning about the consequences of cultural amnesia. She points to the societal stagnation that results from abandoning the pursuit of knowledge and reason:

“We’ve abandoned knowledge and cut off from science, Following the narrations of Arabs from Hijaz…”

By highlighting the abandonment of knowledge and science, Behbahani echoes a sentiment that has been expressed by many modern Iranian intellectuals. The “narrations of Arabs from Hijaz” signify a shift towards a form of religious orthodoxy that she sees as alien to the original Iranian spirit of inquiry and innovation.

“All pillars of religion are nullified by a fart! It’s my and your fault, as we are the source of gas!”

In these lines, Behbahani employs sharp satire to expose the absurdity of certain religious practices and edicts. She criticizes the community for blindly following doctrines that she views as trivial and nonsensical, thereby neglecting the essence of true spirituality and ethical living.

A Call to Reclaim Iranian Identity

Ultimately, Behbahani’s poem is a call to her fellow Iranians to reclaim their rich cultural and intellectual heritage. She urges a return to the principles of reason, wisdom, and scientific inquiry that once made Iran a leader in various fields of knowledge:

“If this destitute nation had wisdom and reason, We could rebuild our homeland from the foundation…”

Her plea is for a cultural renaissance, where Iranians embrace their historical legacy and move away from the imported practices that she believes have stifled their growth.

Simin Behbahani’s poetry serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of cultural identity and intellectual independence. Her critique of the current religious and cultural practices is rooted in a deep love for her country and its heritage. Through her evocative and often provocative verses, Behbahani calls for a revival of Iranian culture, urging her compatriots to remember their past, reclaim their wisdom, and rebuild their nation on the foundations of knowledge and reason. In doing so, she not only preserves the essence of Persian poetry but also envisions a future where Iran stands tall, proud of its rich cultural legacy.

ما امت بیچاره و در بندِ نمازیم،
دنبال خرافات و سوی قبله درازیم،
رفته است ز یاد همگی ایزد دانا،
با سنگ سیاهی همه در راز و نیازیم!!
از علم گذشتیم و ز دانش ببریدیم،
دنبال روایات عرب های حجازیم،
کشتند به کوفه عربی رابه قساوت،
ما سینه زنان درتب و در سوز و گدازیم!!!
افتاده به چاهی عربی بدو تولد،
هر روز سر چاه بدنبال نیازیم!!
گویند حلال است زنا با زن کافر،
علاف حلالیت خوکیم و گرازیم!!!
محروم ز دیدار زن و صحبت آنیم،
با شیر و شتر حال نمودن، مجازیم!
با صیغه و تزویر گرفتند نجابت،
ما درپی مهریه و عقدیم و جهازیم!!
باطل شود “ارکان دیانت” همه با.گوز! !
تقصیر من و توست، چو ما منبع گازیم!!!
رفتن به خلا تابع فتوای امام است،
در مذهب ما، ما همگی گله غازیم!!!
از یاد ببردیم همه، غیرت و همت،
بیچاره و درمانده نذریم و نیازیم!!!
بردند همه ثروت ما را به چپاول،
ما امت فقریم و همه دست درازیم!!!
این امت بیچاره اگر عقل و خرد داشت،
میشد که دوباره وطن از پایه بسازیم…

Here is an English translation of the poem:

We are a destitute nation, bound by prayer,
Chasing superstitions, stretching towards the Qibla,
The wise God is forgotten by all,
With a black stone, we confide and converse!

We’ve abandoned knowledge and cut off from science,
Following the narrations of Arabs from Hijaz,
They cruelly killed an Arab in Kufa,
We mourn, beating our chests in fever and agony!

Fell into an Arabic well at birth,
Every day by the well, we seek needs!
They say adultery with an infidel woman is lawful,
We are obsessed with the lawfulness of pigs and boars!

Deprived of seeing and speaking with women,
It’s lawful to enjoy with lions and camels!
With temporary marriage and deceit, they seized chastity,
We are in pursuit of dowries, marriages, and furnishings!

All pillars of religion are nullified by a fart!
It’s my and your fault, as we are the source of gas!
Going to the toilet follows the fatwa of the Imam,
In our sect, we are all a flock of geese!

We forgot all about honor and effort,
Miserable and helpless, we make vows and offerings!
They plundered all our wealth,
We are a poor nation, always begging!

If this destitute nation had wisdom and reason,
We could rebuild our homeland from the foundation…