The Joy Of Belonging.

(The following post was written some six months back, and was shared at a web portal. 

Somehow, felt like bringing it here today... probably the intensity of joy asked so .....)

At times its such a relief that God is what He is!

Belonging to those heavens and yet residing in this nook of one's bosom. Na visa, na passport, na transit, na protocols. One genuine 'hook' (punjabi word) and voila! The line is through!

Come to think of it, what would have happened had God been like one of us? I mean seriously!

Na chahnay ka zarf hota, na chhor dainay ka hosla!

Mohabbat karnay ka zarf, har aik ka cup of tea nahi hota. Mohabbat karna, aur mohabbat karwana, dono zarf maangtay hain; jaisay achi khushbu say lutf lainay ko zauq ki nifasat darkaar hoti hai.

Jab zarf na ho to bay-suroor ka behakna hota hai, bay-sultanat ki taajdaari hoti hai. Na khud kisi ka bun sakta hai banda, na kisi ko apna bana sakta hai. Life becomes a game played half heartedly; an affair without a sizzling kiss; an embrace devoid of the ecstasy of belonging!

Genuine love sets one free, at the same time giving one the joy of belonging; provides one roots while strengthening the wings for soaring higher.

Jab socho to samajh ati hai kay insan baycharay ki bisaat hi kia hai?

Mohabbat lams ki taskeen say barh kar kitno kay liay kuch aur hoti hai? In times of emotional despondancy, aik jazbaati sahaaray kay ilawa aur kia ma'ani rakhti hai? Bohat saray logon kay liay to kai dafa mohabbat bhi aik intellectual pursuit hota hai. Jitnay loag, utnay andaaz!

But the Almighty loves in only one way; His way!And His way is such that He doesn't abandon one, no matter what! At times one feels the rida'aey sanity slipping off one's shoulders as one begins to fall into vacuum, yet He stays and waits patiently till one can reconnect with Him, and bring oneself back to that realm of 'belongers', through that hotline in one's very own chest!! 

1st Sha'abaan - Chaand Raat

maang lo maang lo
chashm e tar maang lo
dard e dil, husn e nazar maang lo
maangnay ka maza aj ki raat hai ....








(words are not mine)

Unsaid

I am ... the master, of an unsaid word 


I am ... the hostage, of the unsaid word....

Keep Watch Over Thy Heart

A thought of  Love, and a thought of Awais of Qarn....

In his “Masnavi” Jalaleddin Rumi writes the following as said by Muhammad (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) about Awais Qarni:

The Prophet Muhammad(PBUH) says that 

the breeze brings O’men!

The divine perfume from Yemen.

The scent of Ramin comes from Awais

The fragrance of God from Awais.

Awais’ heavenly perfume from God,

Overjoyed the heart of the Prophet of God.

Forsaking his mortal being willingly

That earthly (Awais) become heavenly.

The thought sends shivers down the spine.

The one who always stayed behind the veil of absence in His (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) court, and yet the only one to bear the honor of sharing His pain.

Who broke each tooth in his mouth for the one lost by the Prophet (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) in Uhud.

A poor, no one, who receives the cloak of the Holy Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم!

I think and I shudder.

I had wanted to write of Love ...

and I recall again what Awais of Qarn said

"عليك بقلبك Alayka bi-Qalbik."

"Keep watch over thy heart"

And I realize how can I!

Feat Of Facing The Mirror

Is that why some mirrors have some chosen pictures plastered on their surfaces? 

Or still innovative: having different mirrors for different pictures...

Hmmm .....

Whispers Of Love

Lover whispers to my ear,
"Better to be a prey than a hunter.
Make yourself My fool.
Stop trying to be the sun and become a speck!
Dwell at My door and be homeless.
Don't pretend to be a candle, be a moth,
so you may taste the savor of Life
and know the power hidden in serving."


Rumi

YOU, Of All The World

You I choose, of all the world, alone;
Will you suffer me to sit in grief?
My heart is as a pen in your hand,
You are the cause if I am glad or melancholy.
Save what you will, what will have I?
Save what you show, what do I see?
You make grow out of me now a thorn and now a rose;
Now I smell roses and now pull thorns.
If you keep me that, that I am;
If you would have me this, I am this.
In the vessel where you give color to the soul
Who am I, what is my love and hate?
You were first, and last you shall be;
Make my last better than my first.
When you are hidden, I am of the infidels;
When you are manifest, I am of the faithful.
I have nothing, except you have bestowed it;
What do you seek from my bosom and sleeve?

Rumi - Deevan e Shams Tabrez

I Wonder

Her name was Nusseyba bint Ka'b from Maazin. She was known as Ommou 'Imara. She was among the 73 ansar (aws and Khazradj from Medina) who gave allegiance to the prophet (Peace be upon him) in El 'Akaba before Hijrah (migration) to Medina They gave him the oath to support him and sacrifice for him with their wealth, souls and families once he comes to them in Madinah.. 

And she makes one wonder.... what could loving be!

Saqi Nameh - Of The Wine Bearer

بیا ساقی آن می کـه حال آورد 

کرامـت فزاید کـمال آورد

بـه مـن ده که بس بی‌دل افتاده‌ام 

وز این هر دو بی‌حاصـل افـتاده‌ام

بیا ساقی آن می که عکسش ز جام 

بـه کیخـسرو و جم فرسـتد پیام

بده تا بـگویم بـه آواز نی 

کـه جمشید کی بود و کاووس کی

بیا ساقی آن کیمیای فـتوح 

کـه با گنـج قارون دهد عـمر نوح

بده تا بـه رویت گـشایند باز 

در کامرانی و عـمر دراز

بده ساقی آن می کز او جام جـم 

زند لاف بینایی اندر عدم

بـه مـن ده که گردم به تایید جام 

چو جـم آگـه از سر عالم تـمام

دم از سیر این دیر دیرینـه زن 

صـلایی بـه شاهان پیشینـه زن

هـمان منزل است این جهان خراب 

کـه دیده‌سـت ایوان افراسیاب

کـجا رای پیران لشـکرکـشـش 

کـجا شیده آن ترک خنجرکشـش

نـه تنـها شد ایوان و قصرش به باد 

کـه کـس دخمه نیزش ندارد به یاد

هـمان مرحله‌سـت این بیابان دور 

کـه گم شد در او لشکر سلم و تور

بده ساقی آن می که عکسش ز جام 

بـه کیخـسرو و جم فرسـتد پیام

چه خوش گفت جمشید با تاج و گنج 

کـه یک جو نیرزد سرای سپـنـج

بیا ساقی آن آتـش تابـناک 

کـه زردشـت می‌جویدش زیر خاک

بـه من ده که در کیش رندان مست 

چـه آتش‌پرسـت و چه دنیاپرست

بیا ساقی آن بکر مستور مـسـت 

کـه اندر خرابات دارد نشـسـت

بـه مـن ده که بدنام خواهم شدن 

خراب می و جام خواهـم شدن

بیا ساقی آن آب اندیشـه‌سوز 

کـه گر شیر نوشد شود بیشه‌سوز

بده تا روم بر فـلـک شیر گیر 

بـه هـم بر زنـم دام این گرگ پیر

بیا ساقی آن می که حور بهشـت 

عـبیر مـلایک در آن می سرشت

بده تا بـخوری در آتـش کـنـم 

مـشام خرد تا ابد خوش کـنـم

بده ساقی آن می کـه شاهی دهد 

بـه پاکی او دل گواهی دهد

می‌ام ده مـگر گردم از عیب پاک 

بر آرم به عشرت سری زین مـغاک

چو شد باغ روحانیان مسـکـنـم 

در اینـجا چرا تختـه‌بـند تـنـم

شرابـم ده و روی دولـت بـبین 

خرابـم کـن و گنج حکمت بـبین

من آنم که چون جام گیرم به دست 

بـبینـم در آن آینه هر چه هست

بـه مـسـتی دم پادشاهی زنم 

دم خـسروی در گدایی زنـم

بـه مسـتی توان در اسرار سفت 

کـه در بیخودی راز نتوان نهـفـت

کـه حافظ چو مستانه سازد سرود 

ز چرخـش دهد زهره آواز رود

مغـنی کـجایی بـه گلبانگ رود 

بـه یاد آور آن خـسروانی سرود

کـه تا وجد را کارسازی کـنـم 

بـه رقـص آیم و خرقه‌بازی کنـم

بـه اقـبال دارای دیهیم و تخـت 

بـهین میوه خـسروانی درخـت

خدیو زمین پادشاه زمان 

مـه برج دولـت شـه کامران

کـه تمکین اورنگ شاهی از اوست 

تـن آسایش مرغ و ماهی از اوست

فروغ دل و دیده مـقـبـلان 

ولی نـعـمـت جان صاحـبدلان

الا ای هـمای هـمایون نـظر 

خجسـتـه سروش مـبارک خبر

فلـک را گهر در صدف چون تو نیست 

فریدون و جم را خلف چون تو نیست

بـه جای سکـندر بـمان سالـها 

بـه دانادلی کشـف کـن حالـها

سر فـتـنـه دارد دگر روزگار 

مـن و مسـتی و فتنه چشـم یار

یکی تیغ داند زدن روز کار 

یکی را قـلـمزن کـند روزگار

مـغـنی بزن آن نوآیین سرود 

بـگو با حریفان بـه آواز رود

مرا با عدو عاقبت فرصـت اسـت 

کـه از آسمان مژده نصرت اسـت

مـغـنی نوای طرب ساز کـن 

بـه قول وغزل قـصـه آغاز کـن

کـه بار غمم بر زمین دوخـت پای 

بـه ضرب اصولـم برآور ز جای

مـغـنی نوایی بـه گلبانـگ رود 

بـگوی و بزن خـسروانی سرود

روان بزرگان ز خود شاد کـن 

ز پرویز و از باربد یاد کـن

مـغـنی از آن پرده نقـشی بیار 

بـبین تا چه گفـت از درون پرده‌دار

چـنان برکـش آواز خـنیاگری 

کـه ناهید چنـگی به رقـص آوری

رهی زن که صوفی بـه حالـت رود 

بـه مسـتی وصلـش حوالت رود

مـغـنی دف و چنـگ را ساز ده 

بـه آیین خوش نـغـمـه آواز ده

فریب جـهان قصـه روشن اسـت 

بـبین تا چه زاید شب آبستن است

مـغـنی مـلولـم دوتایی بزن 

بـه یکـتایی او کـه تایی بزن

هـمی‌بینـم از دور گردون شگفت 

ندانـم کـه را خاک خواهد گرفـت

دگر رند مـغ آتـشی میزند 

ندانـم چراغ کـه بر می‌کـند

در این خونفشان عرصه رسـتـخیز 

تو خون صراحی و ساغر بریز

بـه مسـتان نوید سرودی فرست 

بـه یاران رفـتـه درودی فرسـت

Translation:


O Bearer, bring the wine that brings joy
To increase generosity, & let perfection buoy
Give me some, for I have lost my heart
Both traits from me have kept apart

Bring the wine whose reflection in the cup
Signals to all the kings whose times are up
Give me wine, and with the reed-flute I will sing
When was Jamshid, and when Kavoos was king

Bring me the elixir whose grace and alchemy
Bestows treasures, from bonds of time sets free
Give me so they'll open the doors once again
Of long life and the bliss that will remain

Bearer give the wine that the Holy Grail
Will make claims of sight in the Void and thus fail
Give me so that I, with the help of the Grail
All secrets, like Jamshid, themselves avail
Speak of the tale of the wheel of fate
proclaim to the kings and heroes of late
This broken world is in the same state
As seen by Afrasiab, the mighty, the great
Whence his mobilizing army generals
Whence cunning heroes' war cries and calls
Not only his palace has gone to the dust
Even his tomb is destroyed and long lost
This barren desert is in the same stage
As the armies of Salm & Toor were lost in its rage

Bring the wine whose reflection in the cup
Signals to all the kings whose times are up
Well said Jamshid, the old majestic king
Worthless is this transient stage and ring

Come Bearer, that fire, radiant, bright
Zarathushtra, beneath the earth, seeks so right
Give me wine, in the creed of the drunk
Whether fire-worshipper or worldly monk

Come Bearer, that wholesome drunk
Who is forever in the tavern sunk
Give me, ill repute bring to my name
The cup and the wine I shall only blame

Bring Bearer, the water that burns the mind
If lion drinks, forest will burn and grind
Courageous, I'll go hunting lions of fate
Mess up this old wolf's trap and bait

Bring Bearer, that high heavenly wine
That angels with their scent would entwine
Give me wine, I'll burn it like sweet incense
Its wise aroma I will sense now and hence

Bearer, give me the wine that makes kings
Witnessing its virtues, my heart sings
Give me wine to wash away all my flaws
Joyous rise above this rut's deadly claws
When the spiritual garden is my abode
Why have me bound to a board on this road

Give me wine and then see the Ruler's face
Ruin me & see treasures of wisdom and grace
And when I hold the cup in my hand
In the mirror everything I understand
In my drunken state, kingship proclaim
A monarch, when I am drunken and lame
Drunken, pearls of wisdom unveil
In hiding secrets, the selfless fail
Hafiz, drunken, songs will compose
From its melody Venus' song flows
O singer, with the sound of the stream
Of that majestic song muse and dream
Till I make my work joy and ecstasy
I will dance and play with robe of piety
Given a crown and throne by his fate
The fruit of the kingly tree of this estate
Ruler of the land, and Lord of the time
The grand and fortunate King of the clime
He is the greatness vested in the Throne
comfort of bird and fish from Him alone
For the blessed, he is light of the eyes
Yet he is the gift of the soul of the wise
Behold, O, auspicious bird
The happy inspiration to be heard
The world has no pearls in its shells like Thee
Fereydoon and Jamshid had no heirs like Thee
Instead of Alexander, be here many a year
Know thy heart and discover joy is near
But seditious fate many plans may devise
Me and my drunkenness troubled by Beloved's eyes
One, for his work, may pick up the sword
Another's business only deals with the word

O Player, play the song of the new creed
To music of the stream tell to my rival breed
Finally with my enemy I have a chance
At victory, in the skies I can glance

O Player, play something pleasing to the ear
With a song and a Gahzal begin a story, dear
My sorrows have tied me to the ground
Raise me with my principles that are sound

O singer, with the sound of the stream
Play and sing that majestic song I dream
Make the great souls happy with you
Parviz and Barbad remember too

O Player, paint a picture of the veil
Listen, inside, they tell a tale
Sing a minstrel's song, such
That Venus' harp dances with her touch
Play so the Sufi goes into a trance
Drunken, in Union, leaves his stance

O Player, tambourine and harp play
With a lovely tune, sing and sway
Deceptions of the world make a vivid tale
The night is pregnant, what will it entail

O Player, I'm sad, play one or two
In his Oneness, as long as you can, play too
I am astounded by the revolving fate
I don't know who will next degenerate
And if the Magi set one on fire
Don't know whose light will then expire
In this bloody resurrection field
Let the cup and jug their blood yield

To the drunk, of a good song, give a sign
To friends bygone, a salutation divine




Poet: Hafiz Shirazi

Translation: Shahriar Shahriari

God is near unto those who have faith, taking them out of deep darkness into the light - whereas near unto those who are bent on denying the truth are the powers of evil that take them out of the light into darkness deep: it is they who are destined for the fire, therein to abide.

2:257 Al Quran

Kisi Dhun Ka Geet

chalo phir say muskuraaen

chalo phir say dil jalaaen

jo guzar gaee hain raatain,

unhain phir jaga kay laaen

jo bisr gaee  hain baatain,

unhain yaad main bulaaen

chalo phir say dil lagaaen, 

chalo phir say muskuraaen

kisi sheh nasheen pe jhalki 

wo dhanak kisi qaba ki

kisi rug main kasmasaee 

wo kasak kisi ada ki

koi harf e bay murawwat

kisi kunj lab say phoota

wo chhanak kay sheesha e dil, 

teh e baam phir say toota

ye milan ki na-milan ki

ye lagan ki aur jalan ki

jo sahi hain waardatain

jo guzar gaeen hain raatain

koi unki dhun banaaen

koi unka geet gaaen

chalo phir say muskuraaen

chalo phir say dil jalaaen

Faiz Ahmed Faiz

Then when thou hast decided upon a course of action, place thy trust in God: for verily, God loves  those who place their trust in Him.



3:159 Al Quran

Anamorphosis

This above all: 

to thine own self be true, 

And it must follow, as the night the day, 

Thou canst not then be false to any man.

(Shakespeare in Hamlet.)

Anamorphosis is quite an interesting subject..

And yet after all this, your hearts hardened and became like rocks or even harder: for, behold, there are rocks from which streams gush forth; and, behold, there are some from which, when they are cleft, water issues; and, behold, there are some that fall down for awe of God, and God is not unmindful of what you do!

Al Quran 2:74

Untitled

har bayyaan ilfaaz kay saanchay main utara nahi jata,
har manzar qartaas par fankara nahi jata.


yun to khayal kai say guzartay hain zehn say
har khayal ki shabeeh ko par sanwara nahi jata


shorish jo karay dil izhar ki talab main
USS kay siwa aur kaheen par gawara nahi jata

Aameen

YAA RABBA LAYLATIL QADR WA JAA-I’LAHAA KHAYRAN MIN ALFI SHAHR WA RABBAL LAYLIWAN NAHAAR WAL JIBAALI WAL BIH’AAR WAZ’ZULAMI WAL ANWAAR WAL ARZ”I WA SAMAAA

YAA BAARI-U YAA MUS’AWWIR YAA H’ANNAANU YAA MANNAAN YAA ALLAAHU YAA RAH’MAAN YAA ALLAAHU YAA QAYYOOM YAA ALLAAHU YAA BADEE-U’ YAA ALLAAH YA ALLAH YAA ALLAAH

LAKAL ASMAAA-UL H’USNAA WAL AMTHAALUL U’LYAA WAL KIBRIYAAA WAL AALAAA-U AS-ALUKA AN TUS’ALLIYA A’LAA MUH’AMMADIN WA AALI MUH’AMMAD WA AN TAJ-A’LAS-MEE FEE HAAD’IHIL LAYLATIS FIS SU-A’DAAA-I WA ROOH’EE MA-A’SH SHUHADAAA-I WA IH’SAANEE FEE I’LLIYYEENA WA ISAAA-ATEE MAGHFOORAH WA AN TAHABA LEE YAQEENAN TUBAASHIRU BIHEE QALBEE WA EEMAANAN YUD’HIBUSH SHAKKA A’NNEE WA TURZ”IYANEE BIMAA QASAMTA LEE WA AATINAA FID DUNYAA H’ASANATAN WA FIL AAKHIRATI H’ASANATAN WA QINAA A’DAABAN NAARIL H’AREEQ WAR-ZUQNEE FEEHAA D’IKRAKA WA SHUKRAKA WAR RAGHBATA ILAYKA WAL INAABATA WAT TAWBAH WAT TAWFEEQA LIMAA WAFFAQTA LAHOO MUH’AMMADAN WA AALI MUH’AMMADIN A’LAYHI WA A’LAYHIMUS SALAAM

O Lord of Lailatul Qadr! (Night of Destiny!) Who has made it better than 1000 months! O the Lord of the day and the night and the mountains and oceans, the Lord of light and darkness! O the Lord of the earth and the skies! O the Creator! O the Designer! O Kind! O One Who favours! O Allah Who maintains everything! O Allah! O the Kindest! O Allah! O the Creator of new things! O Allah! O Allah! O Allah! The best names are for Thee alone. Thou hast control over all virtues. I ask Thee to send blessings on Muhammad (S.A.W.) and his Aal (A.S.). Write my name, in this Night of Qadr, among the names of the fortunate. Let my soul keep the company of the martyrs. Let my good deeds be reckoned with "Illiyeen" (those exalted). Forgive my sins. Bestow on me such belief that Thou may be nearest to my heart. Give me such understanding that all the doubts may be removed. Let me be contended over that which has been ordained for me: Let me have goodness and virtues in this world and the next. Save me from the glowing fire of Hell. Encourage me towards Tine remembrance with pleasure and to be penitent. Give me all those virtues that Thou hast given to Muhammad (S.A.W.) and Aal-e-Muhammad (A.S.).