Lisa Sanchez

The symbol of the rose offers many layers of significance in connection with the Prophet Muhammad.  Firstly, the beauty of the rose may be employed in honor of the Prophet, as we see in the following maulud:

The bridegroom mounted the horse, [seated] on a gold saddlecloth.

The Lord sat on the bed; roses strewn on the cushions!

Come, Muhammad, come and meet the “rebel” Abd ur-Ra’uf. (Maulud 10, Asani 165)

Here, the poet portrays himself as the “bride,” awaiting the arrival of Muhammad, who is portrayed as a “bridegroom.”  In anticipation of the union between the Prophet and the metaphorical bride, cushions have been adorned with roses.

Secondly, the rose may serve as an example of the beautiful possibility of creation, which God has made manifest for the prophet:

Whatever pleases you is pleasing to God as well,

You are the ruler of God’s kingdom, O Prophet!

Without doubt you are the cause of the creation of possibilities,

For you, God created the entire universe, O Prophet! (Madahun ain Munajatun 231, Asani 169).

Furthermore, the rose overwhelms the senses—sight, scent, touch—in much the same way that love for the prophet may overwhelm the soul.  The beauty of the rose may be employed not only in honor of the prophet but as a representation of the beauty of the Prophet, himself.  The following stanza praises the prophet as beautiful, saying,

The entire universe shines from the radiance of Muhammad’s light;

God created him unique, for nowhere has such a handsome being been seen

Even the angels and the virgins of paradise are dazzled by his sparkling beauty. (Armaghan-i na’t 292, Asani 177)

Here I have chosen to portray the rose in its various states, from bud to full bloom, in vivid color, in order to draw upon its various significances in relation to the Prophet Muhammad.  The blooming of the rose is itself a simple miracle of creation and helps to suggest the miraculous occurrences of the Prophet’s life.