Free from Heaven and Hell

This quatrain by Omar Khayyam says:

“Here we are, the wine, the minstrel, and this ruined corner,
Our souls, our hearts, our cups, and our robes filled with wine’s dregs.
Free from the hope of mercy and the fear of punishment,
Freed as well from earth and air, from fire and water.”

ماییم و می و مُطْرِب و این کنجِ خراب

جان و دل و جام و جامه پُر دُردِ شراب

فارغ ز امیدِ رحمت و بیمِ عذاب

آزاد ز خاک و باد و از آتش و آب

In this verse, Khayyam paints a picture of spiritual rebellion, but also of liberation.
He sits with his companions in a quiet, forgotten place, a “ruined corner”, away from the noise of the world, away from judgment and dogma.

There, with wine, music, and honest hearts, they taste a freedom few ever know:
Freedom from fear. Freedom from the endless bargaining of religion, the hope for reward, the fear of punishment.

When Khayyam says they are free “from earth and air, from fire and water,” he’s speaking of transcending the elements, rising above the material world and its illusions.

In that humble gathering, surrounded by simplicity, he finds a truth larger than heaven or hell:
That the soul is most alive when it is free, not chained by fear, nor bribed by promise.

It’s not rebellion for the sake of sin, it’s rebellion for the sake of freedom.