Omar Khayyam poems about religion in Persian with English translations

These poems by Omar Khayyam offer thought-provoking perspectives on religion, questioning its practices, and highlighting the contradictions and ironies associated with religious beliefs and rituals .

عراقی به کعبه نروید
ای دوست به میکده بیاید
تا روز قیامت کسی
نداند که بر کجا نشست

The Iraqi does not go to the Kaaba,
O friend, come to the tavern.
Until the Day of Judgment, no one shall know
Where they shall sit.

دانای روزی دین را به گور
می‌برد خدا به خنده می‌خندد
نان پنداشته باش و می‌خور
خرقه‌دار شو و خرقه می‌خندد

The knowledgeable one takes religion to the grave,
God laughs at it with a smile.
Consider it as bread and drink wine,
Wear the robe, and the robe laughs.

عاقلانه بنوش که بهر کس
نتوانی می نوشید همه
گر به هر دو کون عقل می بود
هستی به دو چیز است همه

Drink wisely, for you cannot drink for everyone,
You cannot drink wine for all.
Even if you possess wisdom in both worlds,
Existence is all about two things.

همه زهد و دین براندیشد
مگر کسی که زهد و دین ندارد
در خانقه نشیند و به قبله روی
چون خرده شکر در دهان دارد

Everyone thinks about asceticism and religion,
Except for the one who has no asceticism and religion.
They sit in the monastery and face the qibla,
Like a small piece of sugar in their mouth.

بزم جان خراب کردند دین را
می خراب میکده بر کین را
نیکویی ایشان را نیکو نیست
خود را به پیش ایشان نهان کن

They ruined religion for the sake of the soul's feast,
Wine ruined the tavern for their hatred.
Their goodness is not truly good,
Conceal yourself from them.

عشقی که بر تو نیست عشق نیست
هستی که بر تو نیست هست نیست
عشقی که او نیست خدا نیست
خود را همه کسی رهانده نیست

Love that is not upon you is not love,
Existence that is not upon you is not existence.
God is not present without the love that is not present,
No one has saved themselves.

گفتی که بیاییم به میخانه
من با تو در اینجا نمی‌آیم
می دانم که تو را نمیارزی
من بر تو به هیچ کجا نمی‌روم

You said, "Let's go to the tavern,"
I won't come with you here.
I know you don't value me,
I won't go anywhere with you.

در میکده خرقه‌داری به جز
در دیر و کعبه دیگر نکوست
در حرم حسین هر کس را که دیدی
ببینی که هیچ خرقه نیست هوست

In the tavern, being a robe-wearer is better than
Being in the monastery or the Kaaba.
In the shrine of Hussein, whoever you see,
You'll find no robe, only the breeze.

این قصه ز چهرهٔ شاد کاری است
هر کس که دلی دارد خراب است
کافری همیشه دل غم دارد
مسلمانی همیشه دل خوش است

This story is about a joyful person,
Whoever has a heart is ruined.
The disbeliever always has a heartache,
The Muslim always has a joyful heart.

هر کس به خدا نمی‌گوید خدا
بر کس نیامد به جهان دوست‌تر
چون تو دانی خدا نمی‌گوید
دیوانه چو من بر زمین دیگر

Whoever does not say "God" to God,
Is not dearer to anyone in this world.
Since you know God doesn't say "God,"
Like me, a madman on Earth.