Saqia Aur Pila – Sabri Brothers

In this stunning rendition, Sabri Brothers have combined fragments of historical events to invoke the spirit of the listeners or to create state of mystical delight “Maqam” in such a way that the sheer magic of this rendition gets at you and touches the shores of thy memory again and again like the waves of the Ocean.

It starts of a dialogue between the cupbearer and the drunkard but then turns onto another stage that for centuries has inspired the history of the world in general and Umma’ in particular: The Battle of Karbala and the dialogue between Imam Hussain (a.s) and yazid’s general shimr. It says how Imam Hussain (a.s) and his family sacrificed their life to save the ark of Prophet Muhammad.

Ibn-e-Sa’d: If you pay homage to Yazid, everything will go well for you and whatever worldly comforts and privileges you desire will be at your disposal.

Imam Hussain: Tell yazid to tempt with the worldly comforts those who are after this world. I am the Imam, the representative of the Apostle of God. Hussein will cheerfully meet any catastrophe but never surrender Truth to falsehood.

My faith is that the progress of Islam does not depend on the use of sword but the result of the supreme sacrifice of Hussain (a.s), the great saint. -Mahatma Ghandi

I highly recommend you guys to take heed to this hypnotic Qawali.

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‘Light Upon Light’

The light which shines in the eye

is really the light of the heart.

The light which fills the heart

is the light of God*, which is pure

and separate from the light of intellect and sense.

–Mathnawi  1:1126-27

The sensuous eye is a horse,

and the light of God is the rider:

without the rider the horse is useless.

The light of God rides the sensuous eye,

and then the soul yearns for God.

How can a riderless horse

recognize the signs of the road?

God’s light enhances the senses:

this is the meaning of ‘Light Upon Light’

–Mathnawi 2.1290-1293.

The Divine light has been mentioned in detail in the verse of Light.

“Allah is the light of the heavens and the earth; His light is as a niche in which is a lamp, and the lamp is in a glass, the glass is as though it were a glittering star; it is lit from the blessed tree, an Olive neither of the east nor of the west, the oil of which would well-nigh give light though no fire touched it, – light upon light – Allah guides to His light whom He pleases; and Allah strikes out parables for men; and Allah all things doth know.”

خدا آسمانوں اور زمین کا نور ہے۔ اس کے نور کی مثال ایسی ہے کہ گویا ایک طاق ہے جس میں چراغ ہے۔ اور چراغ ایک قندیل میں ہے۔ اور قندیل (ایسی صاف شفاف ہے کہ) گویا موتی کا سا چمکتا ہوا تارہ ہے اس میں ایک مبارک درخت کا تیل جلایا جاتا ہے (یعنی) زیتون کہ نہ مشرق کی طرف ہے نہ مغرب کی طرف۔ (ایسا معلوم ہوتا ہے کہ) اس کا تیل خواہ آگ اسے نہ بھی چھوئے جلنے کو تیار ہے (پڑی) روشنی پر روشنی (ہو رہی ہے) خدا اپنے نور سے جس کو چاہتا ہے سیدھی راہ دکھاتا ہے۔ اور خدا نے (جو مثالیں) بیان فرماتا ہے (تو) لوگوں کے (سمجھانے کے) لئے اور خدا ہر چیز سے واقف ہے

(Holy Quran 24:35)

Peace!!!

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The Sound of the whirling dervishes

Sufi music or mystical music is an expression of love, devotion and connection with God. It often throws listeners into the realm of ecstasy. Though various in form, these acts of expressions are common in the peaceful search for the Divine and breed a mystical unity among different schools of thoughts.

Subcontinent (India and Pakistan) have been blessed with many saints and mystics such as ‘Amir khusrau, Kabir Das, Bulleh Shah, Abdul Latif bhita’i, Sai Baba shirdii and the list goes on. They were committed to uplift human wisdom, they served humanity and spread message of love and peace among the people of all backgrounds without considering  cast, creed and colours.

Here is a selection of two mystical-sound from India and Pakistan and whosoever has the knowledge of sound, he indeed knows the secret of the universe. The deeper you dive into the ocean of feelings, the more beautiful are the pearls you can bring forth in the form of melodies and poetries.- Hazrat Inayat Khan

Kabir

Kabir’s poetry evokes the faculty of thoughts and makes you astounded when you do not comprehend and contemplate. He was a great mystic and myth of Indian subcontinent whose poetry breeds tolerance and harmony that’s why he has been owned by each school of interpretation. I have found Pandit Kumar Gandhvara, the best voice of echoing his poetry.

Here is a song that makes my heart go really fast and my hands rise-up in the air with the wave of Kumar Gandharva-Ud jaeya Huns Aekela.

Ud Jayega Huns Akela (The Swan Will Fly Away All Alone)

Lyrics and Translation Source:

http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=MysticSongsDetails&MysticSongID=14

Bulleh Shah

In the depths of Bulleh Shah’s poetry, there are songs that mesmerize the senses. These poetries are living as seed in the beholder’s heart. I only understand Punjabi (language) in bits and snatches but my favorite Saeen Zahoor is making it easier. His voice is translating them for me into a language that doesn’t beg for understanding.

Here is one of the most enthralling song that makes you move in the inner most sanctum. The depth of Zahoor’s voice brought tears in my eyes.

Ishq Bulle Nu Nachaave  -Love makes me {Bulleh} dance 

Lyrics source:

http://gagankaur.blogspot.com/2008/11/shq-bulleh-nu-nachave.html

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Ramadan- A Month of Contemplation and Devotion

The holy month Ramadan (also pronounced as Ramazan) is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, the blessed month in which Quranic Revelation started. It’s a special month of prayer, meditation, contemplation and devotion.

I’m not a scholar of any creed but a wanderer who quests for understanding of the Holy Message. To my understanding Ramadan is a blessed month to celebrate the spirituality in which one remembers the creator, contemplate their life,  imprison all their senses,  sacrifice the ego and  remove all the barriers that cloud the mirror of Perfection.

Fasting (restraining oneself from food) for the day and feasting at night isn’t the real essence of this month. To abstain ONLY  from food and drink  is child’s play, one must abstain from sins, from unlawful pleasures and acts, not eating ONLY  from lawful foods. Abstinence involves many obligations  which are beyond a cetain period.  For the ones who know, it is the month of union with the Universal Soul. The wise ones seek the inner self, they relinquish all the worldly desires and pleasures because they know the’ hidden self’ is behind the veil of ones own physical, emotional and mental bodies.

As Kabir says:

Within this body

Are enchanted landscape and woods,

The seven seas and the innumerable stars.

Within this body

The Eternal keeps singing

And its spring goes on and on flowing.

If you ever get a chance to read Rumi’s Mathnavi, you will be touched by  amazing experiences and you will realize why he compares the human body with the reed flute. To connect oneself with the Divine Spirit, first we need to become hollow like a reed.

In Rumi’s language again:

There’s hidden sweetness in the stomach’s emptiness.

We are lutes, no more, no less.

 If the soundboxes stuffed full of anything, no music.

If the brain and belly are burning clean with fasting,

every moment a new song comes out of the fire.

The fog clears, and new energy makes you run

up the steps in front of you.

Be emptier and cry like reed instruments cry.

 

Emptier, write secrets with the reed pen.

When you’re full of food and drink,

Satan sits where your spirit should,

an ugly metal statue in place of the Kaaba.

When you fast, good habits gather

like friends who want to help.

Fasting is Solomon’s ring.

 

Don’t give into some illusion and lose your power,

but even if you have, if you’ve lost all will and control,

they come back when you fast,

like soldiers appearing out of the ground,

pennants flying above them.

 

A table descends to your tents, Jesus’ table.

Expect to see it, when you fast,

this tablespread with other food,

better than the broth of cabbages.

Masters of the truth have said that our physical strength depends on food and drink while, our spiritual strength depends on going hungry and thirsty. Our spiritual masters used to mediate without food and drink for many days. In Allah’s dominion, hunger is a divine food -according to them. Even in the holy scriptures of the Prophet Mosses and the Prophet Jesus you will find the similar wisdom.

Here is selection to share with you from the book Discourses on the Sufi path :

A Bedouin was walking with his dog in the desert, carrying a leather skin of water on his shoulder, and crying pitifully as he went along. When asked why he was crying, he replied,

“Because my dog is dying of thirst!” 

“Why don’t you give him some of your water, then?” the person said.

“Because I might need it for myself.”

 

So it depends on ones spiritual station, revelations by Universal Wisdom to discern between the two “Fanna and  Nafs.” I have seen many pseudo figures, who seem to be very genuine in their speech but when it comes to practice their nafs appear and unfortunately our land is full of such heretics who rule not from a place of highest Truth.

As Nasir Khusraw Says:

By day you fast and moan and finger your rosary,

By night you’re enjoying music and wine.

You’ve memorized the Book of con quite smoothly,

So now you’re grand mufti of Balkh, Nishapur and Herat.

Your words are very heavy with fruits as a date palm

But when it comes to action your thorn appear.

 Baba Bulleh Shah, the mystic of Punjab also alludes the same notion  and criticize  religious orthodoxy of his time.

“Parh nafal namaaz guzaarey

Uchiyaan baangaa chaaagaa maarey

Mimbar te charh waz pukaarey

Keetaa teynoo hirs khawaar”

 You say prayers upon prayers 

You scream and yell loudly 

Sitting on the pulpit, you deliver sermons 

Greed has brought disgrace upon you 

Those who are successful in unfreezing their heart from worldly desires will recognize soon the Divine reality as confirmed by Mustafa and His progeny. May Allah Almighty bless us all , may He fulfil our prayers and wishes and may He makes us understand the spirit of Ramadan . Ameen

In service to the Real,

 Nooru

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Nasir Khusraw – The Splendour of Wisdom

(He who seeks- shall find)- Sufi Proverb

The area of Badakhshan (Eastern Afghanistan, Southern Tajikistan and Northern Pakistan) is blessed with the highest mountain peaks: Lenin Peak, Tirichmir Peak, Pamir Peaks and so on but there is no Mountain high enough to praise Nasir khusraw’s personality, even writers find themselves dumb whilst praising him. Ocean too before his great wisdom shrinks into a single drop; his words are lamp of enlightenment for the heart. It’s hardly possible in such a brief introduction to deal with the facts of Khusraw’s thoughts as he deserves to be discussed, to be loved and to be infused in today’s knowledge society. His poetry is full of wisdom, of reason, of the right meaning and the right faith.

Nasir Khusraw famously known as “The Ruby Of Badakhshan,”  and was born in Khurasan 1004 C.E. He ranked among the greatest mystic of Persia and was the early link in the chain of meta physical poetry, which was continued later by such figures as Rumi, Attar, Sa’di and Hafiz. Unlike others he was also a master of the science of the time and was a preacher of philosophical wisdom but unfortunately we have not given high accolade to this mystic poet in our school of thoughts.

A Sufi proverb: “One who seeks shall find”- Nasir Khusraw’s wandering ceased after his search for wisdom amongst all school of thoughts culminated in his meeting with the Imam of the time Mustansir Bil’lah (a.s) the 18th Imam of Shi’a Ismaili Muslims and 8th Fatimid Caliph who ruled from (1035-1094) in Cairo Egypt. The meeting was similar as Rumi’s to Shams. The era of Fatimid’s was the golden era of inventions, scholars, thinkers, philosophers and scientists.

In praise of Fatimid’s He says:

“The sun shines forth, like Fatimid’s as it ascends the slope from its winter exile, It’s rays as bright as Zulfiqar (Sword Of Ali) giving vigor to the rose as to the pearl-white steed of Ali “

He pours out his devotional songs to the Beloved of the time as Nightingale to the Rose. His poetry is based on intellect, which distinguishes human being from other animals. He enforces us to contemplate and to comprehend the manifestation of God through intellect and search.

 

“The world is a deep ocean, its water is time;
Your body is like a shell, your soul the pearl.
If you wish to have the value of a pearl,
Raise up the pearl of your soul by learning.”

And

“What did God give us alone of all the other creatures?
The intellect, by which we lord o’er all the beasts.
But note, that virtue and intellect which makes us lords of donkeys,
Are the very same trait which binds us as slaves of the Lord
With intellect, we can seek out all the hows and whys,
Without it, we are but trees without fruit.”

His teaching was not well received in his native land ‘Balkh’. His opponents incited a mob to sack his house and even attempted to assassinate him. Finding his native land uncomfortable he fled to remote valley of ‘Yamgan- now eastern part of Afganistan.

“The wise man wastes no words on a horde of idiots-

They call me ‘unorthodox’-bah!-

What do they know of Islam except the name? “

Divan-e Khusraw is full of wisdom, each time when I open the Divan, it blossoms. Perhaps it is my intense curiosity and restless wandering heart that have instilled love of Khusraw’s theology. During the study of his Divan I acquired an almost physical picture of him and if I’m questioned, how Khusraw influenced me? Almost every time when I hear his Qasidas( devotional songs) I can imagine him singing and dancing to praise and please the beloved in the valley of Yamgan.

Nasir says:

“O Beloved! When I proclaim your name

 Roses spring up from your blessings

When your servant speaks your name

 The vale of Yamgan feels with dancing stars”.

Fariduddin Attar wrote a six-line poem entitled, “The Tale of Nasir Khusraw and His Seclusion”

The cry of Nasir Khusraw when he dwelt in Yumgan,
Arched even past heaven’s nine-storied vault,
A little corner he took to hide himself away
Hearing the Prophet himself had named that very spot,
Not a man to enter into the fighting fields of dogs,
Like a Ruby in Badakhshan he hid himself away

Mid the hidden hearts of mountain he chose the corner of Yumgan,
So as not to have to look upon the horrid faces of his foes,
Now I, too, like that great Prince have found a little corner for myself,
Since in the search for deeper meaning
He provided the provisions.

Khusraw’s poetry reflects his rejection of orthodox hold of Mullahs over Islam. One consistent theme is his scorn for hypocritical religious leaders:

From pulpit-tops they preach to the common folk,
Dazzling them about paradise and the food to be had there.
They crow and cry in hope of food;
Asses always bray when you speak of barley.

 And

 By day you fast and moan and finger your rosary,

By night you’re enjoying music and wine.

You’ve memorized the Book of con quite smoothly,
So now you’re grand mufti of Balkh, Nishapur and Herat.

Your words are very heavy with fruits as a date palm

But when it comes to action your thorn appear.”

 

In the poems, he asks, if those who pledged their allegiance to Muhammad are assured a place in heaven, what is the justice for those who live at a later time, to whom should they stretch out their hand?  He asks, have you not heard to whom Prophet entrusted his dominion of the sermon by the ditch? The one before whose courage the boldness of unbelievers faded like lantern held up to Sun?

 

In Praise of Ahle-Bait (Progeny of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) he says:

“I choose the friendship of Ali, whose swords brings dark nights to his foes bright day to his partisans. Light is far superior to a smoke, even if both come from fire. Black smoke may arise high as clouds but gives no rain. Not every child whose father called him Noah owns an ark to ride out the Flood- Only prophet family has the power to decipher.”

For more on Khusraw’s poetry:

http://nooru.wordpress.com/2011/05/26/i-choose-the-deen-of-muhammad-by-hakim-nasir-khisraw/

 (http://www.amaana.org/khusraw/khusrawali.htm)

 http://www.amaana.org/ISWEB/ismpoet2.htm

Today’s knowledge society needs someone like Khusraw to lit the fire of reason and to show the true spirit of Islam. We have to reclaim Khusraw and introduce the rich, plural heritage of Islam to the world.  This age is the time for exploration of truth and confusion. Pick up guns and spread the message of Islam was never a motive of Muslims, Islam spread by the message of love by deeds, by the weight  of the inks not the way Talibans enforce it or the ones who sees everything through blurred lens-practicing it.

 In service to the Real

Nooruddin Jalal

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I Choose The Deen Of Muhammad By Hakim Nasir Khusraw (ناصر خسرو)

I choose

the Quran

and the Faith of Muhammad

For those

were the choices

of Muhammad himself;

I know

if I practice the two

my Certainty

will become

as the Certitude

of The Prophet.

 

My key

to Paradise – my guide

to Felicity

the fortified Citadel:

what are they but

the Religion of Muhammad:

 

For us

he is the messenger

of God- such

was the carving

on the seal-ring

of the Prophet.

 

Rooted in my heart:

the Faith

and the Book

as firmly

as in the heart

of Muhammad.

By God’s Grace

my hope, my prayer

is to be

the least

of servants in the community

of Muhammad. 

 

 

My brother,

in sea-depths

of religion

the Quran

is the pearl beyond price

of the Prophet;

every king

owns a treasure

and a trophy;

the Quran

is the treasure

of Muhammad.

 

 Now look

to these riches,

this pearl:

who now

is the custodian

of Muhammad’s legacy?

 

 You yourself

would bequeath your wealth

to your children;

just so as his children

the guardians

the heirs of the prophet.

 

 Ponder well:

you Muslims

will not find

the jewels

but in keeping

of Muhammad’s progeny.

 

 Surely he handed

all down to him

who was

worthiest

of all Companions

of the Prophet.

 

 Who was he,

this Companion?

His wife

was the delight

of the eye

of Muhammad

and from this delight

and this companion

were born

Hasan

and Husayn, the darlings

of Muhammad.

   

 

I have seen

in both worlds

the reality

of Husayn

and Hasan: the rose

and the jasmine of the prophet;

where

in the heaven and earth

could such blossoms spring

but in the garden

from the soil

of Muhammad?

 

 

I dare not

I tremble

lest I prefer

any creature

above these beloved ones

of God’s prophet.

 

The Book

and the Sword

of the lion of God:

these are bulwarks

beneath the firm Faith

of Muhammad.

 

 Who stood

sword drawn

in every battle

who stood

at the right hand

of the Prophet?

The Sword of Ali

lent its aid

to the Quran

and Ali no doubt

was the Help

of Muhammad.

  

Ali:

in Islam

as Aaron to Moses:

partner

companion

of the Prophet;

on the Last Day

Aaron and Moses

shall kiss

the Mantle of Ali,

the sleeve

of Muhammad.

 

 ‘Seek knowledge’

he bid us

‘even in China’;

Ah! What praises are mine

in the China

of Muhammad.

 

 I heard

from their heir

of the Prophet

the honeysweet

words, the Sayings

of Muhammad;

my heart beheld

a mystery revealed

from the Origin

to Ali’s heart

through the prophecy

of Muhammad

and learned

from the babes of Fatimah

and her husband

the true

nature

of the Prophet.

  

Surely

I could have gained

no more than I gained

from  that

illustrious child

of the Rank of Muhammad

surely

I could have gained

no more

had I lived

myself in the time

of Muhammad.

  

The Creator

of the Universe Himself

praises me

for my love

of Ali, my blessings

on the prophet

and with the Blessing

of the Lord

of the worlds

I dwell

in the stronghold

of Muhammad.

 (Excerpt from the Divan of  Dai/Hakim/Sufi Nasir Khusraw. Translated by Peter Lamborn)

A statue of Nasir Khusraw with the Pamir Mountains rising behind him. Photo: Janet Southern

 

 

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Na Man Behooda Girde- Rumi

I’m addicted to Nusrat’s voice and inspired by Rumi’s poetry. Nusrat’s piercing voice and Rumi’s mystical poetry have an amazing combination to mesmerize the senses.

Rumi’s poetry flows like a rippling stream and finds a way to pierce into your heart and makes you move within the inner most sanctum. His words have to be understood not as mere words but sources of deep silence, echoes of inner and the inner most songs.

Nusrat’s voice is the fire that burns heart and soul and invokes all the pent up feelings. He makes the singing a passionate offering to God. The sublime of his voice is that he is able to stir up our hearts to resonate with  music, so deeply that we ourselves become full partner in that offering.

Rumi-the Great Qalandar, Nusrat-the Great Qawwal:  When the two mystics become one in an offering …..expect magic, which is beyond words.

 I’m addicted to this heart touching magical composition from the last couple of months.

“Come my beloved come help your Mawlana Rumi; I’m a slave of Shams Tabriz and like a Qalandar I roam”

Na man behooda girde kocha
Wa bazaar megardam
Mazaj-e-ashiqee daram paye
dildar megardam

Khudaya rahm kon bar man
Pareeshan waar megardam

Khata karam gonahgaram
Ba hale zaar megardam

Sharabe showq menosham
Ba girde yaar megardam

Sukhan mastana megoyam
Walay hooshyaar megardam

~ Rumi

No I am not roaming aimlessly
around the streets and bazaar
I am a lover searching for his beloved                             

God have mercy on me
I am walking around troubled

I have done wrong and sinned
and am walking around wounded

I have drunk the wine of desire
and am strolling around beloved

Though I may seem drunk
I am quite sober

Sources-!

“Gahe khandam, gahe giryam, gahe aftam, gahe khezam,
Maseeha dar’dilam paida vaman beemar mi gardam.
Biya jana inayat kun wa maulana e Rumi ra,
Gulame Shams Tabrezam qalandar waar mi gardam.”

“Laughing at times, crying at times, falling at times, rising at times,
The savior is at the doorstep of my heart, yet like a sick man I wander.
O Beloved! Come and help your Maulana Rumi
I am a slave of Shams Tabrizi, enraptured I wander.”

Another sublime, which bring tears to my eyes:

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Ma’n Kuntu Mawlahu, Faha’za Ali’un Mawla

Ma’n Kuntu Mawlahu, Faha’za Ali’un Mawla  [ He of whom I am the Mawla, of him Ali is also the Mawla]- Hadith

Dr. Allama Muahammad Iqbal said: “O’ Allah, what an exalted position Imam Husayn(a.s) possessed, as his illustrious Father (Imam Ali) was the first letter of the Qur’an!”

A tradition says that Imam Ali said, “What is in the Holy Qur’an is in the first chapter (Surah Fatiha); what is in this chapter (Surah) is in the first verse (Bismillah); what is in Bismillah is in its first letter (Ba) and I am the dot below Ba.

Doubtless Imam Ali was acknowledged to be the best expounder of the Holy Qur’an. The Holy Prophet had himself declared: “Ali is with Qur’an, and Qur’an is with Ali”.

Ma’n Kuntu Mawla, Faha’za Ali’un Mawla- this particular Kalam/Qawali often throws Mureeds  into ecstasy, which is rendered by mystic saint Amir khusro to the father of spirituality- Imam Ali (a.s).  Amir Khusro was a Sufi poet of 13^th century in India. This particular Qawali by him, which so famous that it has been sung by many great singers (e.g) Nusrath Fateh Ali Khan, Abida Parveen, Zila Khan, Sabri brothers…etc.

By Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

Nusrat’s voice always finds a way to pierce into your heart and make your soul dance to the divine music.

By Abida Parveen 

While listening to Queen Abida’s  voice you cannot choke back the tears.  Her mesmerizing magical voice drives you to the different world.

By Zila Khan

My favorite Zila Khan sung it beautifully, I love her version too.

Ma’n Kuntu Mawla, Faha’za Ali’un Mawla 

[To whom I am the master,
Ali is the master too.]- Hadith

Ali imaam-e-manasto manam Ghulaam-e-Ali,
Hazaar jaan-e-giraamii fidaa-e-naam-e-Ali.

[Ali is the master of all, I am the slave of Ali,
A thousand lifes I sacrifice for Ali.

Daaraa dil daaraa dil daar-e-daanii
Hum tum taa naa naa naanaa, naanaa naanaa re
Yaalaalii yaalaalii yaalaa, yaalaa yaalaa
Yala la la la la, la la la la li

[Asks God to enter into the heart and then 
Sufi chants, which is actually the music played in heart when God has entered]

Shaah-e-mardaaN, Sher-e-yazdaaN, Quvvat-e-parvardigaar. 
Laa fataa illaa Ali, Laa saif illaa zulfiqaar.

[King of the brave,
Lion of God,
Strength of God.
There is no one like Ali (and),
There is no sword like Zulfiqaar.

Nami danam chi manzil bood shab jaay ki man boodam;
Baharsu raqs-e bismil bood shab jaay ki man boodam.

[I know not what that place was, where I was last night.
All around me were half-slaughtered victims of love, tossing about in agony.]

Pari paikar nigaar-e sarw qadde laala rukhsare;
Sarapa aafat-e dil bood shab jaay ki man boodam.

[A fairy-faced lover, cypress-like in stature, cheeks ruddy like tulips.
Ruthlessly playing havoc with the hearts of the lovers.]

Khuda khud meer-e majlis bood andar laamakan Khusrau;
Muhammad shamm-e mehfil bood shab jaay ki man boodam.

[God Himself was the host of that gathering inside that heavenly place, Khusraw!
Muhammad was the light of that gathering]= Amir Khusro

Man kunto maula
Fa haaza Aliun maulaa,

[To whom I am the master,
Ali is the master too.]- Hadith

This Hadith (saying of Prophet Muhammad(PBUH) – ” Ma’n Kuntu Mawla, Faha’za Ali’un Mawla , was made at a place called “ Ghadir-e- Khum on His return from the Farewell Pilgrimage (Hajj), was the foundation upon which the continuation of Allah’s message was established.

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Naw’roz-When Spring Blossoms and Nightingale Sings

 Naw’roz  comes when spring blossoms on Earth, when the trees are crowned with leaves, when you hear the nightingale pour out its song for the rose, when the orchards hang out its lanterns. It is a season to celebrate, to enjoy and an expression of elation for body’s soul. To experience this magnificent beauty of nature my soul goes on dancing and my thoughts turn towards Him who creates everything. You may not perceive Him but you can feel His presence there on the lips of the rose or in the song of the Nightingale- chanting out loudly “He is here, He is here”.

Naw’roz or Navroz is a Persian word which means “New Day”/ “New Light”. It is the first day of Persian calendar which falls on 21st March of each year. The history of Nav’roz goes back to many hundreds of years ago. It is believed by some that it was the day of Nav’roz when Hazrat Adam(a.s) was bestowed with the soul. It was the day of Nav’roz when Hazrat Abrahim(a.s) destroyed the idols. It was the day of Nav’roz when Hazrat Noah (a.s)’s Ark got rescued. It was the day of Nav’roz when Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) received the first revelation. It was the day of Navroz when Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) revealed the final message at Ghadir-e-Khum.-(Imam Jafar Sadiq -6th Imam of Shia Muslims quoted in Bilhar al-Anwar). Further the significance of the day is also explained in many poems of Shams Tabriz (mentor and master of Rumi) which is also followed by his students in the now famous Mathnawi. Scholars, philosophers from different schools of thoughts have also penned down the beauty of Nav’roz on various stages.

Every community celebrates Nav’roz in their own unique ways. It is celebrated in various parts of the world. In Pakistan, it is celebrated by Shia school of thoughts particularly by Ismailis. I grew up in a very beautiful valley of Pakistan-Chitral, where inhabitants greet this festival with wild jubilation. The green season all around the landscape makes the village a true fairyland. Birds sing in spring, brightly colored flowers sprout up everywhere and give different look to the valley.

(A Family is Celebrating Nav’roz in Tajikistan)

Nav’roz in local tongue called “Pathak” being the famous festival of Chitral among the Ismaili Muslims marks the arrival of spring. It is worth seeing and experiencing the day in Chitral especially the way the rituals are being carried out. I remember some memories of my childhood. At around dawn people clean their houses and get ready for the new day. They wear new clothes and visit each other’s homes to share the happiness. They believe that whatever they do on the first day will influence the rest of their year. The traditional foods of Chitral are must of the day to serve the guests. Boys and girls in separate groups go to each other’s homes to greet one another. Upon the arrival of the guests the host family members greet them in traditional way. A pinch of flour is showered on the right shoulder of the guests as mark of respect. Various games are also organized on this day.

Another reason to celebrate this season is to mark the successful conclusion of Sufi/Pir Nasir Khusraw’s 40 days of meditation. Khusraw was a Fatimid era Ismaili dai (mystic),poet and philosopher who was the first Sufi to seed Islam in Central Asia, Afghanistan and in north of Pakistan. With a little inquiry I’m honoured to come to understand the historically “Pathak” (Nav’roz) used to be common Chitrali festival celebrated as seed sowing ritual. Since 1980s when Gen. Zia ul Haq started sowing the seeds of terrorism and sectarianism; the festival became exclusively Ismaili. Pathak still remains a binding source among the Chitrali community. Let’s celebrate nav’roz day with the same jubilation as we used to before!

E’ed Nav’roz   (Nishat Afroz) Mubarak to all of you. ” Boombarako Boshad”

Nooru Jalal

It has been published in

The AsianUK

Aalmiakhbar

Chitral News

 Chitral Today

 Chitral Times

and in Ismaili Mail.

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People Who Have Influenced Me The Most

“When we seek to discover the best in others,we somehow bring out the best in ourselves.”

(William Arthur Ward)

My influences are not bounded one, it’s all around me, all I have to do is to look and pay attention.  I believe that to have an influential character in life is very important; it gives you direction and motivation.    

As I have said, my influences are not  limited , I’m influenced by the homeless person sleeping in doors, wondering where the next meal come from and I’m further influenced by the  dignity of the one  who offers a few coins to the homeless person. I’m also shaped by the single  rose on a rosebush. It  teaches  me that  it’s all right to be alone, it prompts me that standing alone can be a thing of beauty.

People who have  inspired me are  great leaders, philanthropist, beautiful voices, entrepreneurs, brilliant writers, prominent healers and scientists; the list doesn’t end. I’m not as impressed with their achievements as I am influenced by their decisions that have a tremendous impact on their own lives as well as the lives of those around them.

• Imam Shah Karim ul Husayni ( His Highness The Aga Khan IV)  

His Highness the Aga Khan IV, the 49th Imam of Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims was born in Geneva on 13th December 1936. He Graduated from Harvard University in Islamic Studies. On 11th July 1957, he inherited the Imamate from His grandfather His Highness Sir Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan III. He has built many schools, universities and hospitals around the world. His institutions are working in the third world countries to improve the quality of life of people around the world. He is the direct descendent of Prophet Muhammad through Imam Ali (The first Imam of Shia Muslims).

After 9/11 When Islam entered into such a dilemma, that the word Islamphobia increased in the west, many leaders of Islam were hiding their heads in the sand saying that they are achromatic. At such critical time I don’t see anybody in front to articulate the true message and essence of Islam to the West except His Highness. He happens to be the only voice of Ummah.  Islam is a religion of peace and it stands for diversity and pluralism. Islam encourages its followers to seek knowledge and to open ways for others to understand  the creation of Allah. His Highness stands for these cherished goals. He is establishing Islamic centers around the world to engage scholars from all faith to come together and to form unity on common issues. By doing so he has emerged as Imam of Humanity. He is a voice for a reason; he has influenced many souls from His thoughts and his works and dedicated his entire life to establish peace and harmony, to literate the world, to heal the pain of human being and to better human society.

He is 74 now, but still works by leaps and bounds to improve the quality of life, to establish a peaceful society, and to create harmony in the world.

“World and faith are inseparable in Islam. Faith and learning are also profoundly interconnected. The Holy Qur’an sees the discovery of knowledge as a spiritual responsibility, enabling us to better understand and more ably serve God’s creation. Our traditional teachings remind us of our individual obligation to seek knowledge unto the ends of the earth – and of our social obligation to honor and nurture the full potential of every human life.”(Aga Khan IV, May 20th 2008, Dhaka, Bangladesh)

• Movlana Jalaluddin Rumi  

He was born in bulkh and known as one of the greatest mystic of poet of Islam.  Moulana Rumi’s first teacher was his father. He was greatly impressed by Shams Tabriz. He is considered by both East and West one of the greatest influential poets a master of love, the world has ever seen. I’m impressed by his poetry. I’m not sure of his exact birth date, it is mentioned different in various books majority says He was born in Afganistan on 1207 and produces master piece Masnawi which consist of 60,000  poems before he died on  1273.  He was gifted man who changed the spirit of many souls.

The light which shines in the eye

is really the light of the heart.

The light which fills the heart

is the light of God*, which is pure

and separate from the light of intellect and sense.

–Mathnawi 1:1126-7, tr. Helminski

• Nasir Khusraw- ‘ The Ruby Of  Badakhshan’   

            Nasir Khusraw famously known as “The Ruby Of Badakhshan,”  and was born in Khurasan 1004 C.E. He ranked among the greatest mystic of Persia and was the early link in the chain of meta physical poetry, which was continued later by such figures as Rumi, Attar, Sa’di and Hafiz.

Divan-e Khusraw is full of wisdom, each time when I open the Divan, it blossoms. Perhaps it is my intense curiosity and restless wandering heart that have instilled love of Khusraw’s theology. During the study of his Divan I acquired an almost physical picture of him and if I’m questioned, how Khusraw influenced me? Almost every time when I hear his Qasidas( devotional songs) I can imagine him singing and dancing to praise and please the beloved in the valley of Yamgan.

Nasir says:

“O Beloved! When I proclaim your name

 Roses spring up from your blessings

When your servant speaks your name

 The vale of Yamgan feels with dancing stars”.

• Hazrat Baba Bulleh Shah     

Bulley Baadshah is believed to have been born in 1660 in the small village of  Punjab Pakistan. His ancestors were from Uzbekistan. Some facts about his life have been pieced  together from his own writing. Bulhey Shah’s poetry and philosophy  strongly criticize Islamic religious orthodoxy of his day. Many people have put his verses to Music , from humble street singers to renowned Sufi singers like Nusrath Fathe Ali Khan and Abida Parveen. In one of his poem he says:

Maybe the Dogs are superior to you…

you wake up at night to say your prayers
The dogs are awake the whole night throughout
Maybe the dogs ae superior to you

The dogs in the night would never stop howling
Sitting on the dung-hill as they do
Maybe the dogs are superior to you

Nor would they leave their masters door
Even if they are beaten blue
Maybe the dogs are superior to you

Bulleh Shah, its time you took the cue
Lest the dogs prove superior to you
Maybe the Dogs are superior to you

In another piece of poetry he says;

Learning through the rote of books you call yourself a scholar
Grasping the sword in your hand you call yourself a warrior
Having visited Mecca and Medina you call yourself a pilgrim
Bullah, what have you accomplished if you have not remained true to your friend!

 

• Sayyidna Hasan Bin Sabah   

Hasan bin Sabah was born on 1034 in Iran. He was very intelligent man with a lot of other Gifted qualities. I have learned from his life that how to be remain strong in your Faith. His philosophy of life was Freedom of practices.  Why are we trying to crush those who think different from us? Why we do not tolerate with others faiths?

He has played crucial rule in safe guarding the Ismaili State in Iran and protected many significant souls from Seljuk and Crusaders.  In such  crucial time the man help the community with his gifted tactics and strategy and face the Army.

While, in another face he was the most misunderstood person in the history of the Islam and world. Enemies of Hasan bin Sabah have joined him with unbelievable stories and sayings which tell the reader that those stories were nothing else behind except defaming Hasan bin Sabah. A good reader can feel the malign intentions of the historian. The allegations against him was totally untrue. His only purpose was to protect the Ismaili state from the foil of destructive enemies and attackers.

In short, during his life period he achieved the aims of his life, like freedom of faith, Protection of Ismailite State from destruction and stable peace between his enemies.

• Abida Parveen   

She is the Queen of mystical singing, she is the voice of wandering souls.  I love to hear her healing voice which mad me to want to beg her to never stop. Born on 1954 in the land of Sufis, Sind Pakistan. She considered one of the finest Sufi Vocalist of the modern era.  The Queen of wandering souls!

• Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan  

He was the greatest devotional singer of the millennium. His voice inspires many souls in the world. He was born in the city of Faisalabad Pakistan on October 13, 1948. He holds Guinnes Book Of World Records as a Qawal (Qawwali is the devotional singing of Sufi Islam, expressing their love for God). His voice is always alive. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan died in 1997 because of  kidney failure.

• Anwar Ali Aman   

A man who has more significant influence on me is none other than my uncle Anwar Aman.  He currently reside in Memphis TN, was born in Chitral  on October, 1974. His influence on my life impacted me and helped to develop as a student and individual. He has been the driving force behind my character building. Everything I have been able to accomplish I have him to thank for.

He is my mentor and my family hero. The value of voluntary service is what I have learned from him. He is an active supporter of voluntary service in rural areas. The lesson I have acquired from him is that nothing can stop a man with right mental attitude from achieving his goals; nothing on earth can help the man with wrong attitude.

• Nelson Mandela   

He is the man who influenced many souls around the world because of his unyielding will power and determination. He is a living legend and a proof of a true leader. He was born in South Africa on July 18, 1918 and widely accepted as the most significant balck leader in Africa. He was very tolerant political leader as I have seen in the history. I have read his autobiography “ The Long Walk to Freedom”. This book is one of the most inspiring , reinforcing books I have ever read.  Mandela’s life has been a great incentive to me  as he says;

But I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb.”

• Paulo Coelho  

Paulo Coelho- such an inspiring person . He helped to change the spirit of people. He is an  influencing writer we have today. I love his  books specially “The Alchemist” –My whole family loved it.   Don’t forget to follow the omens:)

All you have to do is contemplate a simple grain of sand, and you will see in it all the marvels of creation. Listen to your heart. It knows all things, because it came from the Soul of the World, and it will one day return there.”  - The Alchemist

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