BY IRFAN BABA
Still wandering through the verses, uttered in response to his question about Muslim plight world over, often sting his mind, the angel who is the most updated in current affairs was seated in a dark, calm corner, brooding over the answer, brooding thoroughly. This question boils in the mind of every Muslim.
The sky was overcast that left the atmosphere damp. The down pour had either stopped or was about to shower. The sunbeams oozed through the raveled parts of dark clouds, a dim was omnipresent. Though it was noon, often burns under raged sun, though clouds had made it look like an evening, a tranquil darkness that helps in relieving the nerves of a labor, balms head of a philosopher, provokes a poet. From the back side at some distance a mighty cascade was rushing. The fall was noisy, yet acted as mystic music for soul; rushing waters demonstrated the might of nature. The winds stole droplets and kissed the cheeks of the mankind, thus left faces damp with the saliva of the kiss; it made everyone to feel the soul within. At some distance Allama was stationed, contemplating as usual, stressing his cerebration in an atmosphere meant to sooth heads and the divine Angel approached. The luminary gazed at the divinity with questioning eyes. The Angel gladly nodded, pointed towards another Angel, ‘He will be accompanying you.’ Actually luminary reminded one of his verses which guided him to put a request for a tour to the world:
‘Nagmai nov bahar agar mere naseeb main na ho
Is dam-i-neem soz ko tairiq-i-bahaar kar’
(If of spring I cannot sing as a bird of paradise; make this half-enraptured soul a skylark of Thy spring.)
People advance from here to hereafter but the luminary will have the privilege to sojourn the present world through a reverse journey. The voyage began from Barzakh to the world with the assigned Angel who had a doubt, if Allama’s poetry is apropos to the present times. The angel had a lurch an unanswered question about the plight of Muslims all over world, who are in shambles and slaughtered mercilessly. The angel blissfully joined Allama as he was sure that the luminary will have an answer.
From the sky Allama saw a deserted place with dilapidated buildings, roads diminished under the heaps of dust that even hard rains could not wash away nor strong winds could remove; the soil was burnt and turned into ashes. The quantum of ruins could speak about the lost elegance of infrastructure of the city simultaneously spoke about the brutality the place must have gone through. The cries of plight, pain and helplessness were echoing everywhere, despite no human, animal or bird was in the sight. Even the insects, if any would have hidden with fear in the depths of earth. The shrieks of children could be heard followed by the cries of helpless parents. Then all of sudden it was silent, horribly. The silence itself spoke loudly about the torment the country must have faced. ‘This is Syria’, whispered the Angel with the utmost depressed voice. The angel talked about Syria at length, at the end mentioned the survivors who experienced lavish and luxurious life styles before war now decaying in the refuge of bizarre lands. Allama tread the ground with his left knee touching the turbulent land; pushing his right hand finger tips into the soil and feeling the burning sensation within his skin. The first few inches of the surface were draught with poisonous ashes and contaminated toxicity of modern day weapons, human blood and flesh. Tears and blood of victims everywhere with a voice when one could hardly restrain him from crying loudly. Allama pronounced, ‘Tell them (survivors) not to lose hope, reinforce faith which is the real asset and not to worry about losses.’
‘Wahi jahan hai tera jisko tu kare paida
Ye sang-o-khisht nahi, jo teri nigah mai hai’
(The world that you with effort make to you belongs alone: The world of brick and stone you see, you cannot call your own.)
After Syria the angel spoke about other violence entwined countries including Palestine and Burma. Also anguished over the fact that despite over 50 Muslim Countries, OIC, all the might of Turkey, Saudi Arab, Iran, Pakistan; strong economies like Arabs; nothing is done to end the miseries of Ummah. Every Muslim leader fears one evil nation. It seems that they have surrendered their souls to Israel. Allama responded;
‘Foulad kahan rehta hai shamsheer k layaq
Paida ho agar iski tabiyat mai hareeri’
(The steel can never make or forge a sharp and sturdy sword at all if steel is smooth and soft, like silk, such toys, true sword one cannot call.)
Expressive about the role of Arab’s Allama pronounced;
‘Chupa kar aastinoo mai bijliyan rakhi hai gardon ne
Anadil bagh k gafil na baithey aashiyanoo mai’
(The sky has kept thunderbolts concealed up its sleeve; garden’s nightingales should not slumber in their nests.)
The discussion brewed, it was apt to ask his long pending question about the reason behind the brutal genocides of Muslims all over the world, although, Allama wanted to leave as the sight was outrageous. The Angel obeyed with despair.
While cruising in the sky, at some place, Allama felt serenity with some pull and asked to land there.
‘Hai agar mujko khatar to Uski ummat say hai
Jiski khakistar mai hai ab tak sharer azad’
{From that nation but I feel a threat grave, whose heart yet holds hidden embers of crave.(Satan to his assistants)
He took a deep breath delightfully while there was not any greenery that would make air fresh or fragrant. He pronounced with a smile,
‘Aalam hai faqat Mumin-i-jaanbaaz ki meeras
Mumin nahi jo sahib-i-Lovlaq nahi hai’
(That godly man gets world’s bequest, who risks his life in ceaseless quest: That man no Faith can claim at all, who lives not up to Prophet’s call.)
The Angel was amazed how could Allama recognize the place. You seem to be perplexed. ‘I am surprised’, uttered the Angel. ‘How could you recognize this place?’
The place was alien to Allama. Angel updated him that he spoke everything true about the place. They were between the border of Afghanistan and Pakistan. ‘I see, so this is the future land and that’s why I’m so excited’, said Allama.
The angel wondered that how could a weak Taliban drag mighty America to the tables. Allama pronounced with pride;
‘Kafir hai to shamsheer pai karta hai barosa
Mumin hai to be-teig b ladta hai sipahi’
(He depends on the sword if he lacks in faith: If he has faith he may need no weapons in the fight.)
Meantime they saw a mendicant walking into a cave. Allama pronounced;
‘Na pooch in khirqa poshoon ki, iradat ho to dekh inko
Yadd-i-bezaa liye baithay haiapni aastinoo mai’
(Do not ask of these Devotees, if you have faith, you should look at them; they have the illuminated palm up their sleeves.)
Minutes later, they entered the cave, found the mendicant weeping in the prostration. Allama pronounced in utter emotions, what represented the crux of his whole work:
‘Magar mai nazar ko ek aabgeena laya hon
Jo cheez ismai hai, Jannat mai b nahi milti’
(But I have brought a lover’s wine-glass as an offering; whatever is in this even in paradise is not available.)
Afterwards, discussed Taliban-US dialogue. ‘These talks will pave way for peaceful conclusion to the long struggle of Taliban.’ Allama smiled hearing conclusion.
‘Raaz-i-hayat puchle khazar khajasta gam se
Zinda hare k shay hai koshishi na-tamaam se’
(Ask Khizar of blessed steps for the secret of life: Everything is alive with un-achieved effort.)
The topic shifted later to India. The Angel praised the country, simultaneously shown concern over growing communal hatred, lynching, farmer suicides etc. etc. For today’s farmers Allama said what he said to the slave farmers of British,
‘Jis khet se dehkaan ko moyasar nahi rozi
Uss khet k har gushai ghundum ko jalado’
(Find the field whose harvest is no peasant’s daily bread: Garner in the furnace every ripening ear of wheat!)
‘Muslims in India need to understand,
‘In taaza khudawon mai bada sabse watan hai
Jo pairahan iska hai, wo mazhab ka kafan hai’
(Country is the biggest among these new gods! What is its shirt is the shroud of Din.)
Allama then asked about Pakistan? ’ Pakistan is going through the toughest phase of history. Borders are intensely exploited by America and Israel. A sectarian revolt has successfully been developed that left around seventy thousand people dead. I honestly worry for the country you dreamed of’, uttered angel. Allama pronounced, ’Don’t worry.’
‘Isi kovkab ki tabani se hai tera jahan roshan
Zavaal-i-adam khaki ziya tera hai ya mera’
(It is the star that brightens Thy lonely, desolate world; will the eclipse of this star be a loss of Thine or mine?)
Angel felt good hearing this but had other worries too. He had no doubt that this soil produced gems like Jinnah and Allama but had hatched some vicious weeds too. He knew that a new sect was in genesis, who practice logics and reasoning only, discredit religious references including Hadith to interpret the Holy Korran. ‘Denying Hadith is denying Wahi’, responded Allama.
‘Ishq farmodanai qasid se subugam-i-amal
Aqal samaji he nahi maaniye paigaam abi’
(Love moves fast in action under the messenger’s precept; Intellect has not even understood the Love’s message still.)
It is actually a tactic of Satin to involve people in intricate philosophies so as to create a void between concept and reality’, said Allama.
‘Hai yehi behtar ki aalihaat mai ulja rahe
Ye kitaab-i-Aal ki tavilaat mai ulja rahe’
(Let him be fastened in metaphysics lone, in his own meanings of the Koran’s tone.)
{Satin advising his subordinates}
The angel just thought about pending question when Allama said, ’Can you take me to a hill, a hill that belongs to Baba Shakrudin.’ ‘You mean Kashmir’, said angel, realizing that he lost opportunity.
On top of that hill, they saw winds tried jittering the calm surface of lake. The water resisted the winds, resulted in ripples. Allama sat on the hill with Shrine to his right side and Vular Lake to his left.
‘Himale k cheshme ublate hai kab tak
Khazar sonchta hai Vular k kinare’
(How long the fonts boil at this mountain flanks, the Khizr thus broods over the Vular’s banks)
Angels said, ‘They are already boiling, though I fear cessation.’ Allama smiled and said,
‘Jis khaak k zameer mai ho aatish-i-chinar
Mumkin nahi ki sard ho wo khaak-i-arjumand’
(The heart in whose conscience burns the oak’s fire, you cannot cool down that noble heart’s fire.)
‘The levels of spirituality that Baba Shakrudin attained must be taking heaps of dedication and efforts’, the angel thought about the basic requirement for such rise.
Attar ho, Rumi ho, Raazi ho, Gazali ho
Kuch kaam nahi aata, be-aah-o-sehargahi’
(Like Rumi, Attar, Ghazzali and Razi, one may be mystic great or wise, but none can reach his goal and aim without the help of morning sighs.)
Allama pronounced without being asked.
The day passed and angel anticipated that they may be called soon. His mind boggled with other questions, included a thought about the people who devote their life to praying and preaching but discard themselves from worldly affairs. Allama responded;
‘Mast rakho zikr-o-fikr subhagahi mai ise
Pukhta tar kardo mizaaji khankaahi mai ise’
{In prays at dawn keep him rapt and grave. Make him zealot fan of tombs and graves. Satan said to his assistants)}
Angel then sought Allama’s advice for the people who search God. Allama said,
‘Khazar kyo kar bataye kya bataye
Agar mahi kahe darya kahan hai’
(If the fish ask Khizar where all the oceans lie, silence will be the guiding angel’s answer.)
The angel insisted on elaboration. Allama added:
‘Apne mann mai dubkar paja suraag-i-zindigi
Tu agar mera nahi banta na ban apna to ban’
(Delve into your soul and there seek our life’s buried tracks; will you not be mine? Then be not mine, be your own right!)
And the call was given, before flying back Allama (without being asked) answered the question that angel craved for i.e. Muslim plight/genocide all over the world. Allama said, ‘this distressed me too, till I realized:’
‘Guftam Rumi har banaye kuhan ka-abadan kunand
Mai nadani awal aan buniyad ra veeran kunand’
(Rumi said that every old building that is to be rebuilt! Do you not know that the building is first demolished?)
The angel stunned hearing the most longed answer. Following that Allama threw light on what a Muslim needs to survive in today’s world.
‘Ho agar khudnagar o khudgard o khudgeer khudi
Ye b mumkin hai kit u mot se b mar na sake’
(If self can pick its faults, perfection seek, and for its perfection mount a guard: Such man is likely to have lasting life, perhaps, death may not claim him as reward.)
Then they left. On the way, Angel expressed his gratitude, embraced Allama’s poetry that remained unaffected by time. Allama smiled again and pronounced,
‘Madeer-i-makhzan se koi Iqbal jake mera payaam keh de
Jo kaam kuch kar rahi hai qyoomain, unhe mazaq-i-sukhan nahi hai’
(Somebody should take my message to the Makhzan’s editor: Activist nations do not have taste for poetic literatures)
Irfan Baba is author of a novel entitled ‘Love and the Other World’. He is MBA by qualification and works as a manager in a reputed pharma corporate house, can be reached at [email protected]
