I was recently introduced to this amazing 20th-century Urdu Sufi poet and scholar (he translated and Ibn al-‘Arabi’s Fuṣūṣ al-Hikam and Futūḥāt al-Makkiyya and al-Ḥallāj’s Kitāb al-Ṭawāsīn into Urdu) in these beautiful translations by Amer Latif from this article: Latif, Amer. “Ẕahīn Shāh Tājī’s (d. 1978) Signs of Beauty (Āyāt-i Jamāl).” Journal of Sufi Studies…
The qibla of love
Qu’ran 2:144 We have seen the turning of thy face to heaven. And now verily We shall turn you toward a qibla [direction of prayer] which is dear to thee. So turn thy face toward the Inviolable Place of Worship, and ye, wheresoever ye may be, turn your faces toward it. Lo! Those who have…
I am the smoke of a blown out candle
Another beautiful death poem, so good it deserves its own post Poetry by Ali Akbar Natiq, sung by Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Translation by A. Changezi: I am the smoke of a blown out candle, returning to my source My heart’s desires erased, I now efface my existence Last night, your lost remembrance…
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan: Glances of Love
Two of my favorite Nusrat classics, Tumhein Dillagi Bhool and Mast Naszron Say illuminate each other nicely: Tumhein dillagi bhool Translation (modified from Sur Street) and transliteration: Chorus: Tumhein dillagi bhool jani pare gi Tumhein dillagi bhool jani pare gi Muhabbat ki raahon mein aa kar to dekho You will have to forget about playing…
Me/not Me
Shah Niyaz Barelvi A lover without news I am I am not I, yet I am I A Knower with art I am I am not I, nay I am I Burning of the heart and liver I am Restless in seclusion I am knowledgeable of all cures I am I am not I, nay…
Bulleh Shah, if God were found…
Bulleh Shah Translation: O beloved one: If God were to be found by bathing and washing, then God would be found by fish and frogs. If God were to be found by roaming in jungle, then God would be found by cows and buffaloes. O Mian Bulleh God is found by hearts righteous…
Who am I?
Bulleh Shah Translation: Bulleh, what do I know about who I am? I am not a believer in the mosques, nor do I follow the rites of unbelief. I am not among the pure or polluted. I am neither Moses nor Pharoah. I am not in the Vedas or in the scriptures; I…
Rumi-I am not wandering aimlessly
Translation: by Farah Aziz No I am not roaming aimlessly through the alleys 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 walking around lovelorn Though…
Infidel of Love
Shabistari If a Muslim were to know what an idol is He would know that religion is idol-worship And if the associator (mushrik) were to know what an idol is Where would he have gone wrong in his religion? Original: مسلمان گر بدانستی که بت چیست بدانستی که دین در بتپرستی است وگر مشرک ز بت…
Hafez in qawwal
This ghazal, attributed to Hafez, is probably not by him, but is still beautiful nonetheless. https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=44&v=Iz9hU6JjZXk Translation: I saw Beloved in the Stranger I saw a Flower in the Ash The one the Preacher so tried to hide I saw that Beloved in the square. In every direction, the splendor of Beloved, I see In every…