SECTION ONE: REGARDING INTENSE LOVE FOR RASULULLAAH صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم
The peculiar feature of this poem is that it commences in a romantic manner, and gradually approaches the main subject matter in the latter stages. For instance, a lover in the beginning would give vent to his feelings of utter loneliness, describe how his heart and mind bear the imprint of his beloved, and wander about the locality where his beloved used to reside and had spent his early days and youth.
Allaamah Buseeri رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْهِ has, in the same manner, spoken about his love for Rasulullaah صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم. He tries to conceal this love and his beloved. This is why we see that he has not explicitly mentioned the name of Rasulullaah صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم in the entire section. We observe that he has mentioned the places and objects that are near to Madinah Munawwarah, so that Rasulullaah صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم is pleased. His love for Rasulullaah صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم has made him uneasy and restless.
He pines for his beloved, sheds tears, moans and wails, taking care at the same time not to reveal the true cause of his unhappiness. But his friends and well-wishers, on observing his condition, become conscious of the “malady of love” from which he is suffering. They try to advise and console him, with no success. Finally, when the lover is no longer able to contain himself, he beseeches his friends to describe his plight and utter helplessness, and to convey his grateful and respectful regards arising out of an aching heart to his beloved.
أَمِنْ تَـذَكُّرِ جِيْرَانٍم بِـذِيْ سَـلَمِ مَزَجْتَ دَمْعـاً جَرٰى مِنْ مُّقْلَةٍم بِدَمِ
1/1. Are the tears mixed with blood flowing (from your eyes) due to your remembrance of the neighbour of Dhu-Salam?
Dhu Salam is a place close to Quba which lies between Makkah Mukarramah and Madinah Munawwarah. Rasulullaah صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم passed this place when journeying to Madinah Munawwarah on the journey of Hijrah (migration.) Rasulullaah صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم used an unfamiliar road on this journey. Therefore, one normally does not pass this area when journeying to Madinah Munawwarah.
The neighbour of Dhu Salam is Rasulullaah صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم. The plural (neighbours) is used here to show the honour of Rasulullaah صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم. Some have stated that neighbours refer to Rasulullaah صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم and the Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ Another meaning of Dhu Salam is the place of peace which is Jannah (دار السلام).