SINDHI LANGUAGE ORIGION

Origins:
What was the original script of Sindhi?
Sindhi lacked an authentic script/alphabet. It was either written in more than eight different scripts:
Thattai
Khudabadi
Luhaniki
Memonki
Khojiki
Devnagri
GurmukhiHatkai
(Hatvaniki)
.Even 300 years after the Arab conquest,
at the time of Mahmud Ghazni, Al-Biruni, historian, found three scripts current ---
Ardhanagari, Saindhu and Malwari, all variations of Devnagri.When the British arrived, they found the Pandits writing Sindhi in Devnagri. Traders --- including Khojas and Memons --- were using a variety of "Modi" or "Vanika" scripts, without any vowels. Hindu women were using Gurmukhi and government employees, some kind of Arabic script.British scholars found the language Sanskritic and said that the Devnagri script would be right for it. In 1849 they produced an English-Sindhi dictionary in Devnagri. A year later they translated the Bible in Sindhi, again in the Devnagri script. Government servants, many of whom were Hindus, favoured the Arabic script, since they did not know Devnagri, and had to learn it anew.A big debate started, with Capt. Burton favouring the Arabic script and Capt. Stack favouring Devnagri. Sir Bartle Frere, the Commissioner of Sindh, referred the matter to the Court of Directors of the British East India Company, which favoured Arabic on the ground that Muslim names could not be written in Devnagri.Sir Richard Burton, an orientalist, with the help of local scholars Munshi Thanwardas and Mirza Sadiq Ali Beg evolved a 52-letter Sindhi alphabet. Since the Arabic script could not express many Sindhi sounds, a scheme of dots was worked out for the purpose. As a result, the Sindhi script today not only has all its own sounds, but also all the four Z's of Arabic.The present script predominantly used in Sindh as well as in many states in India and elsewhere where migrant Sindhis have settled, is Arabic in Naskh styles having fifty two alphabets. However, in some circles in India, Devanagari is used for writing Sindhi. The Government of India recognizes both scripts.Technical Characteristics Sindhi AlphabetThe graphic representation of each alphabet has more than one form depending on its position. In general each letter has four forms: beginning, middle, final and standalone.Phonology:The phonological system of Sindhi in most respects resembles that of other Indo-Aryan languages. Sindhi has 53 distinct sound-units: 39 consonants, 3 semivowels, 10 vowels, and a unit of nasalization.Segmental phonemesThe Sindhi consonant system consists of
25 stops (including 4 palatal-affricates),
5 nasals,
6 fricatives and
3 liquids. Consonantal sounds show five-fold contrast in the place of articulation: labial, dental, retroflex, palatal and velar.Sindhi has the fullest stop system of any of the Indo- Aryan languages. The stop series shows contrast between voicing and unvoicing, aspiration and pressure and suction.A series of four implosive stops –
(bbe, DDe, jje, gge : in sounding them breath is drawn in instead of being expelled as in be, De, je, ge)
is a striking characteristic of Sindhi phonology.In Sindhi vao, ye, he function similarly to consonants in initial and certain medial positions. But in final postion and also medially when preceeding or following a consonant, these occur as vocalic glides; thus forming dipthongs with preceding or following vowels; these are classified as semivowels.Sindhi has a ten-vowel system, showing three-fold contrast in the tongue-position: front, central and back; and five-fold contrast in the tongue-height: high, lower-high, lower-mid and low. Every vowel has a nasalized counterpart in the language.SyllablesSyllable division in a word is predictable in Sindhi. Word stress is also predicted on the strength of the syllable structure. Sindhi is primarily an open-syllable language, i.e. syllables mostly end with a vowel or semivowel. Words in Sindhi mostly have vocalic ending and the occurrence of consonant cluster is also sporadic in the language. Close syllables are very infrequent in the language.A syllable in Sindhi consists of at least one vowel or at most five sound units, in which one is a vowel and others are non-vocalic sounds (consonants or semivowels preceding or following the vowel). Open syllable with a single consonant
(CV) are most frequent in the language.StressIn Sindhi, stress has only a limited use of demarcating words and putting emphasis on a particular word in an utterance. There are three main stresses: word stress, emphatic stress and drawled stress.Writing SystemsSindhi-Arabic ScriptClick on the above image to see the complete script.The Sindhi-Arabic script is adapted from the Persian system of writing, which itself is an adaptation of the Arabic system. Arabic characters are written from right to left. The script comprises of fifty-two characters and seven diacritic signs.i. Twenty-nine characters of the Arabic script.ii. Three modified characters adopted from the Persian script:iii. Twenty modified characters to represent Sindhi sounds:Retroflex sounds :Rest: Voiceless Aspirates :Voiced Aspirates :Implosive:Nasal:Sindhi-Devanagri ScriptClick on the above image to see the complete script.The Sindhi-Devanagari script is adapted from the Sanskrit system of writing. Each character in the Devanagari system represents a syllable. It consists of either a vowel or a consonant followed by the vowel. Devanagari characters are written from left to right.Character Set Considerations CharacteristicsThe alphabet of Sindhi is a super set of Arabic, Persian and Urdu languages, and contains 52 basic characters. Additionally there are a few diacritic marks, numerals, and punctuations.Special characters :Letters(and), and(in) are also used in text.Sindhi NumeralsClick on the above image to see all the numerals.Sindhi numerals are similar to Urdu. Numerals are written left to right. The decimal separator in Urdu numerals is called "ASHARYA" (U+066B) and is similar to "HAMZA" in shape. A dot may also be used in place of "ASHARYA".FontsConsidering the Arabic script, as mentioned earlier, that it being used for writing Sindhi, calligraphic shapes, multiple alternate shapes are possible for a single letter. The shape is determined by the position of the character in a word and/or character next to it.Character Cell SizeThe characters cell height is fixed and can be controlled. The script is a linear script and line height of text can be fixed.Glyphs to be supported in Sindhi Fonts:All the basic shapes plus alternate shapes required for a character have to be provided. A single character thus would have at least four or more glyphs for it. The diacritic marks along with special symbols used are provided. The numerals, and punctuations are also provided.Source: Sindhi Design Guide, Technology Development for Indian Languages

SHAH ABDUL LATIF BITTAI (POETRY)

[Sur Yaman Kalyan]

Shah's poetry also has touching descriptions of how all the birds and animals in the desert were saddened by Sassui's predicament,
when she is betrayed by a shephard in the desert.
Shah was also known for his compassion. One story relates how he adopted two puppy dogs who were abandoned, they were named 'moti' (pearl) and 'khenoo' (the ball, the round one).
They followed him in his wide travels around Sindh with jogis and alone. "Chela'a kehaN De na choriya'a,BhadRa'a piyan-i na kheer-a!"....
Bhitai (sur Ma'arvi) Lambs you did not liberate,
The shackled ones do not nurse! "Dil-i jo dilbar-u haykRo,GhaRNaa ka'an-a kajan-i:Dil Bi Ddijay hikRay khe,TorRay savv-a ghuran-i;
Say chilvila chaijan-i,jay dar dar lahini dostee."
"The heart has but one beloved,Many you should not seek:Just give heart to one,Even hundreds may seek;Weasles they are called,Who get betrothed at every door." "Vahdahoo la shareeka lahoo,Ee rihajee ree,KhaTeeN jay ha'ara'aeeN,Ta handh-u tuhinjo hee-u; Pa'aRNha'aee chavanduee pee-u,Bharay jaamu janat maoN." Unity with no equal,Ponder on this reality,Win or lose,This shall be your abode;Surely He will say `drink',The intoxicant of heavens! "Jay tooN baet-a bhaaeeN-i, say aayatooN aaheeN-i,NeNyo man-u laeeN-i, piriyaaN sande paar-a Dey!" That which you regard as couplets,Are verses revealed divine,They guide our soul,Towards the essence of the Beloved! "Halo halo koriyeN,Nazuk-u jin jo neehuN,GanDhini saaro DeehuN,ChhinaRNu mooru ma sikhyaa." Behold the weavers,
Delicate is their love,They join every day,made him famous amongst musicians of his time in much of India. Two of the grandest Indian musicians of the time, Attal and Chanchal, were attracted to his circle and so was Gulaana, a women singer of repute who was much blessed by the poet saint. Towards the end of his life,
the poet yearned for a pilgrimage to Karbala (the site of the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, a descendant of the Prophet Muhammed who refused to submit to the tyranny and injustice of the Arab ruler).
He preceded to Wang Willaser a port in Kutch to board a boat for the journey. A little ways from the port,
a pious man greeted him and submitted: "O, Revered One! You have always been telling people that the Bhit will be your burial place!"
Latif immediately understood the import of the query and returned to Bhit. There he donned black garments and went into seclusion for 20 days. During this time he occassionaly ate a few morsels or sips of water. He began to sing what would be his final composition

(Sur Kedaro) - a sombre ballad commemorating the martydom which serves as a reminder that tyranny must be resisted and that the life of the spirit is beyond the life of the flesh (it was traditional for others to record Latif's compositions). On the twenty-first day, he came out and took a bath. It is said that the vaii [type of Sindhi poem] "kahirre manjhi hisaaba.."
("On what count am I here.) From Sur Suhinii was on his lips. Latif asked the fakirs at Bhit to play music and sing songs, and he threw a sheet over himself as he sat in contemplation. "For three consecutive days, his Faqirs engaged themselves in song and music. When they stopped they discovered that Shah's soul had, without anyone's knowledge, flown to the Abode of Eternal Bliss. He left the earthly planet on

[22 Dec. 1751 AD]" - Kalyan Advani. A splendid tomb, with a huge dome, was built by the most famous architect and artist of the time Idan and completed within 3 years. It is intricately decorated with Sindhi craftsmanship. Since the time, millions of people of all walks of life, creeds and castes, have made a pilgrimage to pay homage each year to the poet-saint who represents the soul of Sindh. A small museum nearby contains all the worldly material possessions Latif left behind: a patched, tattered tunic, a quilt, a begging bowl. "Sun sets, Sasui weeps tears of blood,No messenger, no traveller from whom to ask of that place,Confused she remains, but does not think of going back

Bhitai [Sur Sasui Abri]Kapaitie-XXV(Spinner)

1 Although a spinner, not dependupon yourself entirely;The knowing buyer faults at endmay find within your thread.
2 As long as you can spin, spin on,work-season soon declines;All spinners are...but work of allis not in favour lines-She ne'er breaks thread, nor for rest pineswho has realized the truth.
3 This phase will end so soon, as long,you acn spin, spinning keep-For your Eid do prepare a workof art, and success reap.That scorching tears you may not weep'midst your girl friends tomorrow.
4 Toil on and feel not proud, or elseyour Lord offended be-The wheel turn...round your neck hang scarfOf sweet humility...You little faulty one-then seeyour work is not in vain.
II 5 When connoisseurs arrived, they found,the flaws that did not please.They called to spinner...in their waythey asked: "How made you these?""Untidy I, have failed to teasethe lumps from out the yarn."-
6 With rancour in their hearts, althoughwith fine yarn spools they fill,Not even an ounce the expert willOf their product accept.-
7 Wondrous devotion spinners have,who tremble, spin and spin;For earning good, in spinning yardat sun-rise they begin-Such soul-beauty the connoisseurseven for themselves would winYarn spun by spinners so genuinewithout weighing they buy.- III
8 Who in themselves the cotton thrashtheir thread,s without compeer;The 'whirr' of spinning wheel, they wouldnot let their life's breath hear,-Secretly, tremlingly they goon spinning so sincere-Those that refuse the jewels here,priceless themselves they are.
9 Now yesterday you did not spin-Today you have no time to spend;...You silly one, how long the friendshall overlook your faults?
10 The spinners, spinning, spinning were-but now not one I spy-Spinning wheels in disorder lie,and sitting huts are closed.-
11 I neither see same cotton-podsnor spinners are the same-So empty the bazar becometo see it, breaks my hearts!
12 Wool in my tunic, I proceedto spinning-yard...alas,No single spinner breathing wasthey'd gone to sleep for aye.

Barwo Sindhi-XXII(Beloved) I

1 O say, to what end you to otherswould a servant be?Of Gen'rous one hold stirrup, Lordof worlds and Destiny?Who loves Allah alone, but hesupremely happy is!
2 A reed doth murmur with distresswhen cut , so even ICry suddenly for loved-one ina fit of wretchedness;-O leech, brand not my arm, sicknessand pain are in the heart!
3 My breath no longer is my own-ruled now by other power-How is my breast assailed by woethat has a mountain grown?My love, in dream Himself had shown,brought joy, and then had gone!
4 When longing for you in despair,Loved-one if once you came-My eye lashes upon your feetI'd lay in humblest prayerI'd for your carpet spread my hairand be your slave for aye!
5 Beloved, all from thee is good!but still, 't was not thy way,To take me mad with love and thendepart with changing mood;And let me die in solitude,e'en though you loved me not! II
6 Today again mine eyes are drenched,remembering the loved one-The drops of tear ne'er cease to flow,till all my being,s blenched;Longing for loved-one is not quenchedby looking at His works!
7 Today they called, with eyes so kind;and killed me with their eyes...My flesh they distributed andleft skeleton behind-Did urge to search for truth and practicepatience in the mind;They killed her whom they dead did findaft'r wounding with smiles!
8 Sometimes their doors with latches tied,On other days wide open are;Some days I cannot enter, somethey call me with them to abide-Sometimes I for their voices long;some days their secrets they confide;Such are my masters glorified,beloved masters mine!
9 O you, my dear beloved Sir,thy slave I wholly am;With folded hands I ever serve,thy presence I desire;Not for a minute from your doorO sir, I would retire,I pray; Beloved do not tire-Thy kind looks not withdraw!
10 When with infinite grace, BelovedDoth walk upon the ground;With "Bismillah" earth on His pathprints kisses all around-The 'houris' by His beauty struckstand with submission bound-I swear, that never I have foundsuch Beauty any where!
11 As smith a link with link doth jointo make it ever last,So Loved-one fixed me up, and fastHe holds me ever more!
III

12 The worlds os passing soon or late,one breath it is, not long;And with their feet they'll bury youa tomb will be your fate;The measuring rod and spade, do waitas last things on this earth.-
13 Friendship by words they do profess;an easy thing to do;The proof will come when need and stressthe real friends will reveal.
14 Changed Adam's children now do treatsincerity as trifle;Who on this earth a human being'sflesh would like to cat?O friend in this world nothing willremain but perfume sweet,One single-minded you may meetall else is outward show!
15 The heart loves only One and moreit never doth admit;Give your heart to that One, evenIf hundreds sue for it;Ridiculous are those that flitfor friends from door to door!
16 My loved ones, all my blemishes...weaknesses came to know;They never did reproach me...nay,nor did they anger show-Loved-ones a covering did bestowo'er all my shortcoming!
17 The Generous One, presence of loved oneskindly granted me-Their thoughts were to return and re-establish harmony;Their way is: though a breech there bethey never will forsake.

Mumal and Rano-XXII
1
With love, all unalloyed, is dightYogi entirely-Like image at rising sunhe flutters, he Kak, where with delightvirgins enlivened him.
2 The yogi looks like sun so fair,when scaling morning-skiesSuch sweet entrancing fragrance poursfrom out his silken hair;Show us the land, where fragrance rareO yogi you obtained!
3 O loin-clothed, one, let us know,the way you virgins metWhy from your eyes continuouslythe tears of blood do flow?O Sami! on us light bestowof beauty that you found!
4 "Go, go, to waters of Kak gowhere love is made, they say;Where there is neither night nor dayall shall Beloved see!
5 Resplendent diamondss gleam within Magnetic Mumal's eyes...Common or uncommon, who triesto see these eyes, is slain.
6 O camel, for such enterprisemaster bred you with care;With vigilance cross over nowto where Ludhana lies;Mumal we have to face this eve,or when the sun doth rise;With her consent on Kak's suppliesof blossoms you may browse.-
7 Beautiful like the roses sweetare robes of damsels fair...In Jasmin-fragrant coiffuers theyhave piled their long, fine hair.From Beauty so entrancing, loveis kindled everywhere;Wondrous show, damsels spinning thereon-lookers dumb-struck gaze.
8 Like fresh pan-leaves are shawls they wearof shimmering emerald silk-Their bodies all refreshed with atterand ambergris rare;From fullsome platis sandle and muskperfume all round the air;And delicate ears, dainty wareof glistening gold do hold-Today Mumal's in glorious fromrejoicing, free from care;Because Rano without compare,her fiansee hath become!...
9 Mumal had wounded many, loshe's wounded now instead-A pointed arrow struck her headfrom knightly Rano's bow.-
II
10 Although Rano not destined isMumal to be with thee-This will be clear from Rano's love...still not
resentful be,Weep not, but bear it patiently,Be true to kinship new.
11 Kak could not hold those wanderersCastles not tempt their mind...No maid or mistresses their heartswith magic strings could bindFor e'er Lahutis left behindmyraids of maids as these.-
12 Kak could not hold those wanderersfor wealth they did not care,-It was by men of such a mouldroyal virgins wounded were-Lahutis they could not ensnarewith all their coquetry.
13 They passed Kak at the corner, longthat corner turned have they...To those who are now far awaywhat shall some 'Natir' do? III
14 Ludhana is a hell merewithout Beloved mine;Friends, Rano took offence last nightand left me torture here...And Kak to me is poison sheerthe moment he is gone.
15 O Rano, hardly had you come,you turned and went awayBut were you not my spouse? why notto wake me did you stay?Then soon you would have known who laybeside me on the bed.
16 Whole night my lamp did burn, but seethe dawn is breaking now;Rano without thee I shall die-In God's name come to meOh-all the crows of Kak to theeas messenger I sent.-
17 I trimmed the wick, again, again,oil is consumed at lastStranger-beloved, do returnriding a camel fast;Weeping for Rano, night is past,the whole of night I wept.
18 Orion stands above my head;pleiades have declined...The time is past...he did not comeRano, for whom I pined-Fie on cursed night, without my loveit passed, and left me woe-confined-To give me hell, he did not mindnow rests he in his dhat.-
19 Rano, I weep when I beholdthe empty places hereDust settled on beds and divansso drab looks all and cold;Unused by master pillows lie,and nought but dust they hold-Without you, trees and flowers fadeand never more unfold...Who would bear my freaks mainfoldbut my Mendharo dear?
20 Continuously I watch your way,mine eyes are at the door-May you come back to me Rano,I heaven do implore;You hold my life, else many moreof Rano's world contains.
21 I did not realize my sweet,the faults I did commit;They now recoil on me, and hitme justly in the face.
22 't was by your patience, I becamea human being dear-'t was through a whim of mine, my name,myself, you came to know.
23 If Mendharo to my own housewould come as guest, to stay with me-To flames I'd give self-consciousnessmy knowledge and my ancestry;Pride egoism I would throwInto the stove, most certainlyMy sacrifice for loved-one bethe home, parents, myself.
24 Who with a lion doth allyherself, must steady be-Affectionate and vigilantIn Rano's wake do lie-O Mumal, not like rain do pourOn all that you come by...When resurrection day is nighyou will of Rano think.
25 Go straight ahead, and look not backnor turn this side or that,Or else, a temple-turning smackunwar'ly you receive.
IV
26 A messenger! in haste he isBy he is sent;With promise: "one you love will reachLudhana for your bliss;The speedy camel will not missto enter Kak at Dawn."
27 A message great and new arrivedfrom Mendharo last night;We have received a gift divine,from Giver of all light-"Ask not for caste-all we inviteall are accepted here."
28 Where need I drive the camel? whenGlory all round is beaming?Kak in my being doth radiate,In me's Ludhano gleaming;Of Rano sweet my soul is dreamingthere is none else but 'He'.-
29 Where need one drive the camel? whengreat radiance reigns all round?In my being is Kak...in megardens and springs abound;There is no other voice or soundBut all is 'Mendharo'.

Ghatu-XXIV(Shark-Hunters)
1
Even the wise confounded gotand heroes lost their wits-Those who went out to face the sea,were caught by current's plot;Of "Ebb and tide", they all forgotwhat they had learnt before.
2 A power weird is in Kalach,lost is who enters there;No one brings news who does ens'narethe nets and keeps them down.
3 To Kalachi but yesterdaybrave men went forth with spears;Late were the brothers...none returned,nought more of them one hears.Whirlpools have swallowed them one fears-the fishers all are dead.
4 Where fishers used to seek the fish,the barren sand-dunes lie;Fish-sellers ruined, the river dry;and tax collector gone
5 Had they been near, they would have come;perchance too far they got-Fisher folk saw their haunts, called outto know about their lot...Alas, resonse received they notand sadly they returned.-
6 The bazar is without fish-smell,while market formerlyWith small carps, and with herrings tooabundantly did swell.Now there is not a shrimp to sellbuyers have empty hands.
7 You throw the nets in creeks...not sothe sharks are ever killed;Possess strong sweep nets that you throwin deepest sea below;-Sharks not to shallow waters go,and depths are far ahead.
8 To enter sea, prepare your ropes;strengthen them bit by bit--Relationship do not befitKalachi fishermen!
9
Shark hunter's 'moob', that is the waya victory to reap-Their eagerness for whirlpools, andtheir longing for the deep,Deprives them every night of sleep-they yearn to kill the shark. 10 In search, they into whirlpools gotand to fathomlessness...They killed the shark; with hapinessnow beam fishermen's eyes

Barwo Sindhi-XXII(Beloved) I
1 O say, to what end you to otherswould a servant be?Of Gen'rous one hold stirrup, Lordof worlds and Destiny?Who loves Allah alone, but hesupremely happy is!
2 A reed doth murmur with distresswhen cut , so even ICry suddenly for loved-one ina fit of wretchedness;-O leech, brand not my arm, sicknessand pain are in the heart!
3 My breath no longer is my own-ruled now by other power-How is my breast assailed by woethat has a mountain grown?My love, in dream Himself had shown,brought joy, and then had gone!
4 When longing for you in despair,Loved-one if once you came-My eye lashes upon your feetI'd lay in humblest prayerI'd for your carpet spread my hairand be your slave for aye!
5 Beloved, all from thee is good!but still, 't was not thy way,To take me mad with love and thendepart with changing mood;And let me die in solitude,e'en though you loved me not!
II
6 Today again mine eyes are drenched,remembering the loved one-The drops of tear ne'er cease to flow,till all my being,s blenched;Longing for loved-one is not quenchedby looking at His works!
7 Today they called, with eyes so kind;and killed me with their eyes...My flesh they distributed andleft skeleton behind-Did urge to search for truth and practicepatience in the mind;They killed her whom they dead did findaft'r wounding with smiles!
8 Sometimes their doors with latches tied,On other days wide open are;Some days I cannot enter, somethey call me with them to abide-Sometimes I for their voices long;some days their secrets they confide;Such are my masters glorified,beloved masters mine!
9 O you, my dear beloved Sir,thy slave I wholly am;With folded hands I ever serve,thy presence I desire;Not for a minute from your doorO sir, I would retire,I pray; Beloved do not tire-Thy kind looks not withdraw!
10 When with infinite grace, BelovedDoth walk upon the ground;With "Bismillah" earth on His pathprints kisses all around-The 'houris' by His beauty struckstand with submission bound-I swear, that never I have foundsuch Beauty any where!
11 As smith a link with link doth jointo make it ever last,So Loved-one fixed me up, and fastHe holds me ever more!
III
12 The worlds os passing soon or late,one breath it is, not long;And with their feet they'll bury youa tomb will be your fate;The measuring rod and spade, do waitas last things on this earth.-
13 Friendship by words they do profess;an easy thing to do;The proof will come when need and stressthe real friends will reveal.
14 Changed Adam's children now do treatsincerity as trifle;Who on this earth a human being'sflesh would like to cat?O friend in this world nothing willremain but perfume sweet,One single-minded you may meetall else is outward show!
15 The heart loves only One and moreit never doth admit;Give your heart to that One, evenIf hundreds sue for it;Ridiculous are those that flitfor friends from door to door!
16 My loved ones, all my blemishes...weaknesses came to know;They never did reproach me...nay,nor did they anger show-Loved-ones a covering did bestowo'er all my shortcoming!
17 The Generous One, presence of loved oneskindly granted me-Their thoughts were to return and re-establish harmony;Their way is: though a breech there bethey never will forsake

Barwo Sindhi-XXII(Beloved) I
1 O say, to what end you to otherswould a servant be?Of Gen'rous one hold stirrup, Lordof worlds and Destiny?Who loves Allah alone, but hesupremely happy is!
2 A reed doth murmur with distresswhen cut , so even ICry suddenly for loved-one ina fit of wretchedness;-O leech, brand not my arm, sicknessand pain are in the heart!
3 My breath no longer is my own-ruled now by other power-How is my breast assailed by woethat has a mountain grown?My love, in dream Himself had shown,brought joy, and then had gone!
4 When longing for you in despair,Loved-one if once you came-My eye lashes upon your feetI'd lay in humblest prayerI'd for your carpet spread my hairand be your slave for aye!
5 Beloved, all from thee is good!but still, 't was not thy way,To take me mad with love and thendepart with changing mood;And let me die in solitude,e'en though you loved me not!
II
6 Today again mine eyes are drenched,remembering the loved one-The drops of tear ne'er cease to flow,till all my being,s blenched;Longing for loved-one is not quenchedby looking at His works!
7 Today they called, with eyes so kind;and killed me with their eyes...My flesh they distributed andleft skeleton behind-Did urge to search for truth and practicepatience in the mind;They killed her whom they dead did findaft'r wounding with smiles!
8 Sometimes their doors with latches tied,On other days wide open are;Some days I cannot enter, somethey call me with them to abide-Sometimes I for their voices long;some days their secrets they confide;Such are my masters glorified,beloved masters mine!
9 O you, my dear beloved Sir,thy slave I wholly am;With folded hands I ever serve,thy presence I desire;Not for a minute from your doorO sir, I would retire,I pray; Beloved do not tire-Thy kind looks not withdraw!
10 When with infinite grace, BelovedDoth walk upon the ground;With "Bismillah" earth on His pathprints kisses all around-The 'houris' by His beauty struckstand with submission bound-I swear, that never I have foundsuch Beauty any where!
11 As smith a link with link doth jointo make it ever last,So Loved-one fixed me up, and fastHe holds me ever more! III
12 The worlds os passing soon or late,one breath it is, not long;And with their feet they'll bury youa tomb will be your fate;The measuring rod and spade, do waitas last things on this earth.-
13 Friendship by words they do profess;an easy thing to do;The proof will come when need and stressthe real friends will reveal.
14 Changed Adam's children now do treatsincerity as trifle;Who on this earth a human being'sflesh would like to cat?O friend in this world nothing willremain but perfume sweet,One single-minded you may meetall else is outward show!
15 The heart loves only One and moreit never doth admit;Give your heart to that One, evenIf hundreds sue for it;Ridiculous are those that flitfor friends from door to door!
16 My loved ones, all my blemishes...weaknesses came to know;They never did reproach me...nay,nor did they anger show-Loved-ones a covering did bestowo'er all my shortcoming!
17 The Generous One, presence of loved oneskindly granted me-Their thoughts were to return and re-establish harmony;Their way is: though a breech there bethey never will forsake.

Dahar-XXIII(Desert) I

1 Relate to us some tale, O thorn;tale of this lake relate;Of moonlit-nights that did adornthe place, and how you fared.
2 Be calm, and tell us what you knowof keepers of this lake.Today in wretched plight and woedifficult days you pass.
3 Did realy all thy friends depart?thy loving associates?-With crimson fruit thou laden artthat fall all over thee.-
4 If for the masters of this lake,you would such sorrow feel,How could you lovely blossoms makeand such a wealth of friut?
5 The lake is dry, and brushwood growsabout the dusty banks;And human being rarely showshis face about the place.
II
6 When waters ran abundantlybig fish, you wouldn't return;Today, tomorrow you will bein net of fishing-folk.
7 O fish, you grew so over-fat,Butting against all that you met;Expanse of water now hath set-Dried is what once you saw.-
8 "Into my heart their hook they thrust-the very flesh they cleft,They did not kill right-out, but leftperpetual sorrow's line."
9 As great as is 'Thy' name, so greatthe mercy I implore-Without pillars without supports,thou my refuge e'er more-When Thou knowst everything beforeah me...why should I ask?
10 Beloved, do not slacken thouThy ties with humble me;One so contemptible has gotno other hold but thee...Only thy sweet name, verilyI know and remember.
III
11 Few nights of earth...o'er which your headyou lost Oh simpleton...Oh many more will come, when deadyou quite alone will lie.-
12 Sleeper arise! akin to sinIs such a none can winBy sleeping recklessly.- IV
13 In the mountain there is chatter-cranes are wanting to go out;They discussed last night the matter and this morning they are gone.
14 Have you then forgotten quiteand their talk you never heardWhen preparing, they last nightHad decided to depart.-
15 Oh my crane, your flock has gone-it departed yesterday-Ah, without loved-one, alonewhat will you in mountains do.
16 They in conveys travel ever,their connections never cut-Not like man their kinship sever,Oh, behold the loving birds.
17 O man, at dawn what glitters brighttake not for drops of dew.But seeing sorrowing ones, the nightBurst into thousand tears.
18 Trouble will come to those, who doIn 'face' and 'from' delight-Fools laugh and laugh, forgetting quitethe task that they came for.
19 Degenerates enamoured wereOf forth,...milk tasted not,They lost 'Direction' through world's shareand empty-handed went.
20 Today a bridegroom gay and strong-tomorrow lies in grave;Building a fort of sand...how longwill you be builing still.

Mumal and Rano-XXII
1
With love, all unalloyed, is dightYogi entirely-Like image at rising sunhe flutters, he Kak, where with delightvirgins enlivened him.
2 The yogi looks like sun so fair,when scaling morning-skiesSuch sweet entrancing fragrance poursfrom out his silken hair;Show us the land, where fragrance rareO yogi you obtained!
3 O loin-clothed, one, let us know,the way you virgins metWhy from your eyes continuouslythe tears of blood do flow?O Sami! on us light bestowof beauty that you found!
4 "Go, go, to waters of Kak gowhere love is made, they say;Where there is neither night nor dayall shall Beloved see!
5 Resplendent diamondss gleam within Magnetic Mumal's eyes...Common or uncommon, who triesto see these eyes, is slain.
6 O camel, for such enterprisemaster bred you with
care;With vigilance cross over nowto where Ludhana lies;Mumal we have to face this eve,or when the sun doth rise;With her consent on Kak's suppliesof blossoms you may browse.-
7 Beautiful like the roses sweetare robes of damsels fair...In Jasmin-fragrant coiffuers theyhave piled their long, fine hair.From Beauty so entrancing, loveis kindled everywhere;Wondrous show, damsels spinning thereon-lookers dumb-struck gaze.
8 Like fresh pan-leaves are shawls they wearof shimmering emerald silk-Their bodies all refreshed with atterand ambergris rare;From fullsome platis sandle and muskperfume all round the air;And delicate ears, dainty wareof glistening gold do hold-Today Mumal's in glorious fromrejoicing, free from care;Because Rano without compare,her fiansee hath become!...
9 Mumal had wounded many, loshe's wounded now instead-A pointed arrow struck her headfrom knightly Rano's bow.-
II
10 Although Rano not destined isMumal to be with thee-This will be clear from Rano's love...still not resentful be,Weep not, but bear it patiently,Be true to kinship new.
11 Kak could not hold those wanderersCastles not tempt their mind...No maid or mistresses their heartswith magic strings could bindFor e'er Lahutis left behindmyraids of maids as these.-
12 Kak could not hold those wanderersfor wealth they did not care,-It was by men of such a mouldroyal virgins wounded were-Lahutis they could not ensnarewith all their coquetry.
13 They passed Kak at the corner, longthat corner turned have they...To those who are now far awaywhat shall some 'Natir' do?
III 14 Ludhana is a hell merewithout Beloved mine;Friends, Rano took offence last nightand left me torture here...And Kak to me is poison sheerthe moment he is gone.
15 O Rano, hardly had you come,you turned and went awayBut were you not my spouse? why notto wake me did you stay?Then soon you would have known who laybeside me on the bed.
16 Whole night my lamp did burn, but seethe dawn is breaking now;Rano without thee I shall die-In God's name come to meOh-all the crows of Kak to theeas messenger I sent.-
17 I trimmed the wick, again, again,oil is consumed at lastStranger-beloved, do returnriding a camel fast;Weeping for Rano, night is past,the whole of night I wept.
18 Orion stands above my head;pleiades have declined...The time is past...he did not comeRano, for whom I pined-Fie on cursed night, without my loveit passed, and left me woe-confined-To give me hell, he did not mindnow rests he in his dhat.-
19 Rano, I weep when I beholdthe empty places hereDust settled on beds and divansso drab looks all and cold;Unused by master pillows lie,and nought but dust they hold-Without you, trees and flowers fadeand never more unfold...Who would bear my freaks mainfoldbut my Mendharo dear?
20 Continuously I watch your way,mine eyes are at the door-May you come back to me Rano,I heaven do implore;You hold my life, else many moreof Rano's world contains.
21 I did not realize my sweet,the faults I did commit;They now recoil on me, and hitme justly in the face.
22 't was by your patience, I becamea human being dear-'t was through a whim of mine, my name,myself, you came to know.
23 If Mendharo to my own housewould come as guest, to stay with me-To flames I'd give self-consciousnessmy knowledge and my ancestry;Pride egoism I would throwInto the stove, most certainlyMy sacrifice for loved-one bethe home, parents, myself.
24 Who with a lion doth allyherself, must steady be-Affectionate and vigilantIn Rano's wake do lie-O Mumal, not like rain do pourOn all that you come by...When resurrection day is nighyou will of Rano think.
25 Go straight ahead, and look not backnor turn this side or that,Or else, a temple-turning smackunwar'ly you receive. IV
26 A messenger! in haste he isBy he is sent;With promise: "one you love will reachLudhana for your bliss;The speedy camel will not missto enter Kak at Dawn."
27 A message great and new arrivedfrom Mendharo last night;We have received a gift divine,from Giver of all light-"Ask not for caste-all we inviteall are accepted here."
28 Where need I drive the camel? whenGlory all round is beaming?Kak in my being doth radiate,In me's Ludhano gleaming;Of Rano sweet my soul is dreamingthere is none else but 'He'.-
29 Where need one drive the camel? whengreat radiance reigns all round?In my being is Kak...in megardens and springs abound;There is no other voice or soundBut all is
'Mendharo'Leela-
XX1 By jewels tempted, necklace brightyou craved,....so satam scores did cheat;You lost your spouse through his deceir-your era then of weo began.
2 The jewelis no jewel-nay,nor necklace worth to tempt your heart;Its origin is clay and bitsof glass it doth betray;Cursed trinket, in its fine arraymade many forme the loved-one part.-
3 Pendant of sorrow was, wath youa necklace though to be;Your lord decked your maid with gracewhich he forme you withdrew.May no dickord part lovers trueand union break in twain.-
4 By show she slipped....and by conceirshe fell, shattered was she;World came to her, called her a foolreproaches she did meet.They burnt her heart with scorn to death-her downfall was complete.-All her youth's blossoms, fragrant,sweetdried up with in her heart.
5 Exalted amongst friends; I wasthe wise one in the land;Something upset the balance-andnow I must hang my head.
6 I was in chanesar's domainfirst lady, and at social feastsFirst was I called, and always first,until my heart grew vain;He thrust me off..with shame and painnow lowest in the land I am.
7 With chanesar's affection let no waeton maiden play;No place for coquetry is this ilearnt to my regret-His disapproval doth begetsorrow for happy ones.
8 With zest, all lofry ones have decked,thier necks with diamonds fine;Hundred devices they employ before the loved-one to shine;But the beloved dose inclineto those who meekly walk.
9 Discard your former ways, be freefrom all you learnt before;Humility's scarf round your neckdo wear...with povertyDo link yourself, Leela, and seeHe'll never let you down.
10 Wise Leela, you have known so wellthe nature of your Lord...With diamonds round your neck, you thoughtto cast on him a spell.-In reading thoughts he does excelDiscerner He of hearts.
11 O God, let me not clever be,clever ones sorrows see-Loved-one all favours did to mewhen I was simpleton.
12 The meeting place of twon, Elitemy house was formerly-But when I diamonds touched, my spousedid loathe my very sight;All his affection vanished quiteand sorrow's reign commenced.-
13 The happiness that grows from mindself-centred, cursed it be;Unhappiness seek, which will findthe pricelesslove for thee!
14 Avoid to show off, argue notwith Chanesar.. beware-To you nor me beloneth Heand many more are there,Who once by Him much favoured wereand now weep at his door.-
15 Leela, if by beseeching HimHe won't forgive your fall-Keep on beseeching more all moreon his compassion call-Despair not, your pains he knows all-immense His mercy is.-
16 Despair not, rise and cleanse the house;prepare to sacrificeAncestors, 'Self' and all, there liesthe cleaning process true.-

Sasui: Husaini-XIX(The Wailings) I
1 O look not back! nor hesitate,for sun declines in West-Thy pace do quicken, do not restere sunrise try to reach
2 O sun, make it not hard for me,by setting very soon:The tracks of Punhu let me seeere I in mountains die.
3 A rain is pouring from my brow,hot perspiration's stream;What I thought love, revealed is nowconsuming fire flame.-
4 The day is burning, she doth movenow swifter on her way;This Brahmin girl, an ancient lovefor the Bluchis has.
5 As long you live, aglow remain;there's no way without fire;In hot and cold, swift pace maintainthere is no time to rest.
6 On rising, thought of mountaineersdid overwhelm me there;I shall leave Bhambore, nought endearsthis Bhambore to my heart.
7 Sisters, for pleasures of Bhamborethe caravan I missed;Therefore I now with sorrow sorethe monutains have to search.
8 Sisters, your freedom do secureby leaving Bhambore now;Our old comrades here did enduremuch sorrow and much pain.
9 In Bhambore is the smoke of hell;Sisters, from Bhambore part-Sasui take the guide and startearly and not delay.-
10 Sisters, my heart is sorrow-cleft.and wounded I do live...Of loved-ones all, for whom I longalas, I am bereft;Can I forget those who have lefte'en now before my eyes?
11 Bhambore, the town of ugliness,the noble prince adorned;Lord of the mountains, from whole worldremoved fear and distress,Maids art of printing learnt, modelwas Punhu,s loveliness-Unrivalled one, Bhambore did blessand decent it became.-
12 The Bhambore that not walked behindthe Hoat, confounded got;Unrivalled One, the town did notrecognize, walked like blind;Those priviledge were, who did findhis beauty with their hearts.-
13 Who saw him with their hearts, did feelto follow him at once;When Punhu did himself conceale'en then they followed him.-
14 In hot and cold incessantlywalk on, and do not wait;At fall of night you will not seethe tracks of him you seek.
15 There was a time when princely Hoatmy clothes to wash did choose;Now even camelmen refuseto take me with themselves. 16 My gown is at my shoulders torn;alas my head is bare-O sisters in your Bhambore fairWhat have I now to do?
II 17 From grief and woe she did obtainthe lead, to walk the way;It was from guidance of the painshe Punhu found at last.-
18 A hundred comforts I will giveand bargain too my head,If in exchange I may insteada single sorrow get.
19 Sweet sorrow, do not you departas went away my love...To none I may pour out my heartbut you, since he has left.
20 Sorrow, joys' beauty constitute;joys without sorrows spurn;By virtue of such sorrow's moodmy love comes to my arms
21 We walk in fellowship with 'Care'but keep the world at bay-When even very young we were,sorrow made home with us.
III 22 Those who are seeking for the friend,one day the friend will find;The seeking ones will at the endreach loved-ones domicile.-
23 No more alive...or dead...yet deathI feel is claiming me...Beloved...I give up my breathin longing now for thee.-
24 Had you died yesterday, you'd metyour Punhu yesterday,All hale-and-hearty, never yetsucceeded finding love.
25 As soon or late I death must see;may I in mountains die...Sisters, so that my death should beon my Beloved's count.
26 Better in mountains cut and sore,striving for Punhu, die-That all the world for ever morethy love shall glorify.-
27 She follows in pursuit, calls, cries-but smiles when tracks she finds;Who turns one step back when she diesshall ne'er the loved-one see.-
28 As night advances, swifter growsher step and swifter still...Her innocent mind nothing knowsbut the word: "rider-spouse".
29 Don't cease to call persistently;keep calling, begging still-Then riding-men may suddenlyrelax, remembering thee. 30 To whate'er you in life adhere,Links after death remain;And those who cannot see Hoat hereHow will they see him 'there'?

Sasui: Ma'dhuri-XVIII(The Helpless) I
1 Hast thou not heard a voice Sasui?or dost at random walk?Hundreds of Sasui's walked behindtheir lovers before thee-From start Baluchi progenyhas no compassion learnt
2 O grieving one; brush pain aside,and comforts do forget-Your eyes on Punhu's footprints set,that you may find him soon.
3 Start on the road denuded, greed,temptations do not keep-And those who are too fond of sleep,their tryst with loved-one miss.
4 Leave all your lovely robes behind,and nothing with you bring;One, burdened not with anythingKeeps forefront on the way.
5 One that without a burden walkswill soon the loved-one meet-But she has missed her union sweetwho affects lovely wraps.
6 She who adorns herself, in vainwaits for the meeting true;She is deprived like Leela, whosold her love for jewels.
II 7 A thousand thorns do prick my feet;they cause me endless woe!Alas, my feet are torn, one toemeets not the other toe;And yet, with bare feet I will goto my beloved one.
8 With hands, feet, knees, and every breathSasui you must proceed;Your guide will meet you at the streamand give you further lead;As long there's breath, place nought, indeedBut Punhu in your heart.
9 I could not my Beloved meetand now you set, o sun!My message to the loved-one bringbefore my day is done;when you reach Kech say: "Helpless oneis dying on the way".
10 I could not reach my loved-one, andmy life's already past...Alas, the woeful one did wasteher days declining fast-In old age now, her eyes are castupon her Punhu rare.-
11 Alas, I could not reach my love-already death appears...Beloved did not come, althoughI looked for him for years-Destroyed by separation's tearsI destined am to die.-
12 Die and relieve, so that Beautyof loved-one leaves you never;Acceptable you'll be for ever,accepting this advice.
13 Die to be beautiful, life ishindrance twixt him and you,-Helpless one, boldly do pursue,give breath to find the friend.
14 Who die before death, never willdestroyed by dying be.-Who live ere second life they seewill live eternally.

Sasui: Kohiyari-XVII(The Mountain Path) I
1 Careless one, drop this drowsiness;no more for slumber seek-O shamless one, drive sleep from eyesand be no longer weak-So that you may not have to shriekin mountains after him-
2 Those who upon their couches lay,with outstretched leags, alas...The company did pass away,leaving such sleeping ones.
3 Reproach comes to unlucky oneswho so much sleep desire;Why after Punhu do enquirewho sleep from sunset on?
4 Hard-hearted mount, vain was my plea,high-handed tyrant thou;My being you sawed, as wood-cuttersdo cut the helpless tree;But for decree of DestinyOh, who would walk thy stones?
5 O mountain, when my love I meet;your tortures I'll relate;Your hideous shadow ghosts at dawn,your winding way's deceit,You did me not with kindness treatbut dimmed the loved-one's tracks.
6 O silent mountain, not a clueyou give me my love-But yesterday a camel-cadein long row moved through you,This dead one's spouse, did you not viewamongst the company?
7 O mountain, to the friend I'll bearat once the gret reproach;That you to shreds the very solesof my poor feet did tear;That your soul is of pity bareand ne'er any worth you know.
8 O mountain, hearts of sorrowing onesyou should console and soothe;Instead of that, their feet you bruise-you stony, callous one.
9 O mountain, each day in sacrificeI throw myself on you-Because there are mysterious ties'twixt you and my love's tale.
10 O mount, the helpless one in woenow sits with you and weeps;But never anyone lets knowthe links twixt you and her.
11 O mountain, though you hot have grownyou cannot harm me now;You may be made of hardest stonemy limbs are iron-made-'t is no one's fault, it is my ownmy own strange destiny.
II 12 O Punhu do not leave me herein mountains weird and dire-I'll walk with you on foot, and fireto Bhambore I will set.
13 Reflection of my Punhu, lightit doth display and shade;I have to walk the chequered road...O see, the cloth is laidIn soda-wash, and clean is madeere colours it receives.
14 Reflection of my Punhu islike cloud and flash, and IFollow this Prince and sob and sighand weep without respite.
15 Reflection of my Punhu isthe acme of all Bliss-For his sake my most luckless dayfor me comfort it isCalamity my Prince left, hissweetest gift for me.
Sasui: Desi-XVI(The Native) 1
I careless was first part of night;so morning brought despair-For while I slept my rider-spousefor travel did repair;For my destruction to prepareat mid-night they did leave.
2 O mountain-, that does stand betweenmy love and me, thy threat is vain-Had there a thousand mountains beenmy longing would have crossed them all.
3 The sacred knot that love has tiedbetween Punhu and me...Now in beauteous Bhambore to stayPoison for me shall be...Do not advise me sisters, toreturn to home and glee;Because my breath is propertyof my beloved Hoat.
4With linging I lay down, with eyesawake and found no slept, he cameand then I could not rise-Sisters I erred, for in what wiseis longing kin to sleep?

Sasui: Abri-XV(Tribulations) I
1 Now or after, my destinyis my Beloved one-The labour of poor one, O Godlet it in vain not beI beg for nothing, but to seemy loved-one in this life
2 Sasui's heart breaks from pain's tormentand rends all hearts around;Immaculate Sasui, her eyesare e'er on Punhu bent;Her viruous mind on Beauty ofthe glorious One intent;Faithful up to the last...all spent-the maid in mountains dies.
3 Sasui, undone by longing, yetaffects the longing more;Drank deep of Punhu's companyand yet for more doth fret;Aye, still more thirsty they do get who drink draughts from this stream.
4 Seeing the flood of Beauty, theywho drank a sip from thereIt all the more increased their thirsttheir longing and despair;Although they live in mid-stream ne'erthis boundless thirst is quenched,
5 Sasui, before you follow Punhu,feel your utter helplessness;Take naught for granted, attitudeunservant like do not possess;Oh, with yourself take only love,and without 'Self' you must progress...Make no approach to Azazil,to save yourself from deep distress;Keep company with hopelessnessso that you nearer come to hope.
6 Do not rejoice in comfort, seeingsorrow do not fear...In sacrifice don't crush your own,nor houses new do rear;Dead one, don't die, in no case heretry to maintain your life.
II 7 Ah, those that are from longing freehow Kech can ever reach?Such wishful hundreds did I seethat ere mid-way gave up.
8 Each doth express a wish, but noneready for hunger is...To walk is not for every one.nor make a trip like this-I take for company, I was,one who not loves the 'Self'.
9 I pledged my troth when innocent;suspecting no torment;Nor knew brothers in law would leavewith me longing, lament...The longing one, on seeking bentMust now through mountains roam.
10 O sisters, when my troth I plightedignorant was I;Or with my mountaineer's subjectionhow could I comply?A brief talk did my being tieto Punhu for all life.
11 Those, who do husbands own, return-I'll not come without mine;To search the deepest mountain depthand turn each stone, I yearn,To settle love's account I burnwith camel-riders there.
III 12 Frail one, do never slow your pacewhen seeing mountains high...The threatening mountains do not fear,and keep your love-ablaze;And never give up hope to seeyour loved-ones lovely face-Don't seek him in a far-off place,he's nearer than your eyes.
13 Those who took off from 'here' their mindand fixed it 'there', they reached;Beloved, Beauty, Truth to findfor them one step it was.
14 Kechis are speaking-now Sasuiyou should become an ear;The breath that comes from them, but silencecan distinguish here;Sir silently, and only 'hear',that fire you may acquire.
15 Now be an ear-the Kechis speak;no word must come from thee;And not an iota of your 'I'should in their presence be...Behold, the Kechis cut the treeof being from the root.
16 Sometimes ones should become an ear;sometimes a mouth shoul turn-Sometimes like knife one should appearsometimes a lamb become.-
IV 17 Your love is not where you surmise;and where you think he be,Walk not to mounts, the wood you haveto cross within you lies;Your being ask for all adviceand strangers keep outside.
18 Sasui, within yourself you bearwhat you are seeking so;No one found ever anythingby walking here and there,-As though he your own being wereso seek his whereabouts.
19 Why do you go to woods remote?why not your love search here?Believe, not hiding anywhereis your beloved Hoat;Be pure, gird up your loins, faithfulupon you loved-one doteLook deep into yourself and noteBeloved's home is there.-
20 Not with your feet keep wanderingbut with your heart do walkA courier's job will never bringyou anywhere to Kech.
V 21 While peeping in myself I was...I with my soul conversed;No camel-man was there to chase,all mountains had dispersed;'Punhu' I had become...immersedin woe, but 'Sasui' was.
22 I was deceived by my fancy-or else Punhu myself I was;I lost myself in presence ofthe prince's noble majesty;Unless you yourself loved-one seeNo iota worldy knowledge helps.
23 Once you give up existence, knowyou are near the unique-Refuge seek in: " whate'er I saw God was in it", and loThen your Beloved cannot gofrom you one minute mere.
24 Your love is in your lap, and yetyou ask: "where is he, where"?O understand, he's in your soulto see him wont you care?No one to the Bazar will fareBeloved there to find.
25 I hunted for my rider-swain;vain was the search I made,The clue of him I got was: "Goddose everything pervade;He Himself is in every bladewithout Him nought exists."


Kamod-XIV(Love-dependent) I
1 You noble are, I humble amthe seat of demerits am I-Seeing your queens, O king, your eyeturn not away from fisher-folk.
2 You noble are, I humble amscores of defects abide with me-When heaps of smelling fish you see,turn not away from fisher-folk.
3 You are king, master of the landand I sell fish, poor fisher-maid,Do not forsake me, for't is saidthat I, oh king, belong to thee.
4 Those who do feed on smelling fish,and fish is all their property-The king, the noble king, O see!with them relationship has made-
5 The basket full of smelling fish,and all the loaded herring-trays-Fishers, whoses touch avoided is and such unpleasantness conveysThe king strands in their thatch alwaysand gently holds converse with them!
II 6 Now she longer catches fish,nor cuts, cooks, cures as formerly;She neither holds the scales and weight,not fish-net in her hands we see-Now to the court-modes cleaveth she,such as befits a kingly house!
7 Her hands and feet, her face and formno more of fisher-maid remind-As there's a chief-string in the luteshe's queen of all the queens combined;From the beginning all her wayswere queenly, noble and refined,The king perceived it and did bindthe regal bracelet on her wrist! 8 Fie upon maids of princely castewho walk stiff-necked, so haughtily-Praise to the daughter of the lake,her true love to the king gave she...Out of all royal ladies, he,the pearl bestowed on fisher-maid.
III 9 Court-ladies now adorn themselves,to win king back with beauty spells-But king midst fisher people dwells,within his hand the fishing-net! 10 The fishing-net in hands of king,and fisher-maid did rudder sway!Upon the lake all yesterdayfish-hunting gay was going on!-
11 "On deep, clear waters of the lake,with my beloved now I sail,Of my desires none did fail,all are fulfilled, none went astray."
12 Upon the waters transparent,along the banks float lotus-flowers,And all the lake rich fragrance showersas sweet as musk when spring-winds blow.
IV 13 Credit of raising fisher-maidBelongs to Tamachi,He took her in his carriage, anda human-being heMade out of her,...in Keenjhar, see!All say this is the truth.
14 Of those before the 'Jam' was bornthe fish-maid nothing knows,They don't attend ceremonies,go not to weddings, nor to shows,What hath lake-life to do with those?they only know the head, the king.
15 ...None gave king birth, to no one birthgave He-He's generous,...alone-The fisher women old and young,as His relations He doth own;"He is not born, He gives no birth"-blance unique, to change unknownTamachi's high eternal throne,so great and oh, so glorious is!

Suriraag-XII(Sailing) I
1 O friend, I often did beseechan old boat do not have;With worn out sails, the heavy wave
2 Thy boat oil daily, mend its leaks,and keep in mind, one dayThe vessel has to sail away,a voyage long to make!
3 With riggings furnish it, and thentake it to depth remote,So that from every harm thy boatsecure and safe may be.
4 Acquire you such merchandisewhich time corrupteth not,That when you sell to far off landsno loss may be thy lot-In goods deal only which allotto thee mainstay secure.
5 Those who with merchandise of Trutha lasting bargain made;"You will get your reward", to themthese tidings are conveyed-Those were they whom the Powers ledthrough mighty ocean's swell.
6 To ocean dedicate yourselfwhere endless waters flow;Thousands of pearls and precious thingsits current holds below-An ounce of such wealth will bestow,on you a fortune rare.
7 No wave the path of those can staywho worship the sublime;Effect of their repentance makesthem safely swim away;Propped by 'Reliance absolute'they pass wild current's sway,By 'Perfect Sailor' met were theyin mid-current, as guide!
8 With precious ware of 'service great'their vessels they did lade;'Real Recognition' s' pearls they wonwhose worth can never fade;'Rrestraint from sin and evil', oh-that bargain too they made;May with their blessing I evadeperils, when crossing sea!
9 So difficult it is to fareon the path to 'Divine'.So difficult, so very hardthe way, for those who dare-And even those who know the landconfusion meets them there;Its violent cross-current to bearenter with love intense!-
II 10 Goods there were heaps and manifold,traders forgetful were;Some came in good time and purchasedall that the stores did hold-Some loitered, and all things were soldwhen they had come to buy. 11 The water through the boat did seep,and precious goods were spoiled;With spots and smudges some were soiledand some with rust got black.
12 You came and had at shores a peep,that you had heard about.-When everyone had gone to rest,you also went to sleep;And so you brought the boat headlingto whirlpools wild and deep-The wreck that is too worn and oldmay God from sinking keep-The wretched ones inside relyon you, they fret and weep,Arise and help! their praises reapand bring them safe to port!
13 Boatman, upon the raging seaboth ways you cannot have;Whole nights you sleep, resting your backon rudder carelessly-But there across at morn they'll beand of your doings ask!
14 Sleep not O helmsman! shun your cot,when danger lurks ahead;The shore is foaming like the curdthat foams in churning pot...O helmsman, sleep befits you notin such an awful state!
15 The divers met the waves that foamedwith hidden treachery-They battled with the eddies deep,their fight was grim and dree;Yet, 't was they who sought the sea,and brought the lovely pearls.
16 Where'er a pearl exists, behold!the thieves their haunts will have,And him awaits fortune untoldwho guards the pearl from thieves.
III 17 Not offer precious stones to thosewho know not gold from brass;To true jewellers in exchangeyour jewels you may pass;Ah, those who deal in gold, the massof metals base they spurn.
18 But gold- dealers have gone...Oh gold't were best you too should go-Since no one here your worth doth knowthey'll mix you up with brass.
19 The glass-beads are in fasion nowreal pearls no more appeal...My tunic's full of Truth, I feelashamed to offer it.
20 The lapidaries that cut gems,since long from there they fled;And their successors do not know e'en how to deal with lead,And smiths now pewter beat insteadwhere lapidaries worked!
21 I dealt in glass, and never madepurchase of any pearl;All tinsel-stuff and leaden wareand trash I bought instead;But suddenly, I found, my tradewas placed with gold-experts!
22 With falsehoods I did pass my days;divine commands I broke-The vessel
overflows with sinand with my doings base; Oh knower of the secret waysthou know'st already all!
23 The lies that you had hugged, forsake!approach the source divine Drive from your heart chicanery,to honest dealings take;The Master liketh truth of heartIn mind love's fire wake,Thus humbly do approach, and makea bargain, fruitful, good.
24 O God! a bargain that is best,I beg bestow on me;The helpless one no power has,but Master, turns to thee,O guide, without thy help no onecan reach his destiny-Who faces high wave on the sea,with mercy pick him up...
IV 25 The maid unwarilythe gem in casket broke...The gem when whole, its pricea lakh or two would be,Now it is crushed...ah me,'tis more than millions worth!
26 Those who kept up all nightto adore Glorious One;Latif says: E'en their dustbecame with honour dight;Scores to their resting site flock, homage there to pay.

Sarang_XI(Rain Song) I
1 Warm preparations are againin progress everywhere;Again the lightnings have begunto leap with arduous flare;Some towards Istanbul do dive,some to the West repair;Some over China glitter, someof Samerquand take care;Some wander to Byazantium, Kabul,some to Kandhar fare;Some lie on Delhi, Deccan, somereach Girnar, thundering thereAnd greens on Bikanir pour thosethat jump from JesalmareSome Bhuj have soaked, others descenton Dhat with gentle air...Those crossing Umerkote have madethe fields fertile and fair...O God, may ever you on Sindhbestow abundance rare;Beloved! all the world let sharethy grace, and fruitful be.
II 2 O see, the low'ring, sombre skies!the cum'lous clouds have pouredTheir big-dropped showers; now take outyour herds, prepare, and rise;Leave lower grounds, to uplands goand practise old device,Take your provisions and supplies...despair not of God's grace.
3 Today too from the northern sidethe rain-quails notes reach here;The ploughers ploughshares ready make,herdsmen are full of cheer...Today too nature doth appearin rich array of rain!
4 Today too there are hopes of rain,the clouds are dark and low-O friends, with monsoons, longing forthe loved one comes again-I hope the rain will water wellthe parched and longing plain...Beloved come! my life sustain,all seasons then feel spring. 5 Man, deer and buffaloes do pantfor rain, ducks hopes for clouds;After as though in supplicationsounds the
rain-quail's chant;At sea, each morn the oysters begthat skies the rain may grant-Give lots of rain! with joy rampantthe herdsmen then become. 6 The rain pours on the desert-sandson hills and vales around;At early dawn we, rise to hear,the churns soft, humming sound-The hands are full of butter, wiveswith merriment abound-Each buffalo for milking broughtathwart the grassy ground;In thatches here we never foundmistress and mind so glad!
7 The cloud, with colours rich and brightpaints towers in the skies-It brought the violins, zitherns, flutes,tambors that give delight...While jar on jar rain-sprite at nightpours into Padam lake...
8 Season's orchestra's in full swing,fresh showers ease the mind;On mountain-side so green with grass;cattle abundance find;Gay herdsmen's wives about their necksof blossoms garlands wind;-Cucumbers, mushrooms, vegetablesfood of every kind;Lord! days of dearth let lie behind,ne'er let them reach the earth.-
9 Season's orchestra's in full swing,rain-quails pipe tenderly;Peasants repair their ploughs, herdsmenrejoice with ecstasy-My friend in perfect from...O seepredicts a downpour great!
10Season's orchestra's in full swing,clouds move up, near and far;The grain is cheap, and brimful nowof butter is each jar-Rust that my heedless heart did mar,this God-reminder cleansed.
11 Cloud was commanded: 'Rain must come',and cloud obeyed so fain-Lightning arrived, rain pattered, poured,came to remain and reign;The hoarder who for dearness hopednow wrings his hands in vain,Five multiplied to fifteen; sothe page has turned again,The profiteer may disappearand cause no longer pain...The kine-herds sit together now,relating tales of rain-O God, who happiness would gain,must on thy grace rely!
III 12 O, rain, were lessons you to takefrom my poor, pouring eyes,Then night and day, in cloudy guiseyour drizzle would not stop!
13 Mists do not leave mine eyes, if cloudsare there or not, mists stay;Remembering Loved one, o'er my cheeksmy tears flow night and day...Oh, those whose loves are far awaymay never cease to weep.-
14 Though inside all is overcast,outside from every cloud is free...Lightnings mature within, in whomLove doth reside eternally...Their eyes shall never rainless bein whom thought of 'Beloved' reigns.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

On December 10, 1948 the General Assembly of the United Nations

adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights the full text of which appears in the following pages. Following this historic act the Assembly called upon all Member countries to publicize the text of the Declaration and "to cause it to be disseminated, displayed, read and expounded principally in schools and other educational institutions, without distinction based on the political status of countries or territories."PREAMBLEWhereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people,Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law,Whereas it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between nations,Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,Whereas Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in co-operation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms,Whereas a common understanding of these rights and freedoms is of the greatest importance for the full realization of this pledge,Now, Therefore
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY proclaims THIS UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction.
Article 1.All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
Article 2.Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.
Article 3.Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.
Article 4.No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.
Article 5.No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
Article 6.Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law.
Article 7.All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.
Article 8.Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by the competent national tribunals for acts violating the fundamental rights granted him by the constitution or by law.
Article 9.No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.
Article 10.Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him.
Article 11.(1) Everyone charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his defence.
(2) No one shall be held guilty of any penal offence on account of any act or omission which did not constitute a penal offence, under national or international law, at the time when it was committed. Nor shall a heavier penalty be imposed than the one that was applicable at the time the penal offence was committed.
Article 12.No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.
Article 13.(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state.(2) Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.
Article 14.(1) Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution.(2) This right may not be invoked in the case of prosecutions genuinely arising from non-political crimes or from acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
Article 15.(1) Everyone has the right to a nationality.(2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his nationality.
Article 16.(1) Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution.(2) Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.(3) The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.
Article 17.(1) Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others.(2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.Article 18.Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.
Article 19.Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
Article 20.(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.(2) No one may be compelled to belong to an association.Article 21.(1) Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.(2) Everyone has the right of equal access to public service in his country.(3) The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures.Article 22.Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality.
Article 23.(1) Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment.(2) Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work.(3) Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection.(4) Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests.Article 24.Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay.
Article 25.(1) Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.(2) Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.
Article 26.(1) Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.(2) Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.(3) Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.
Article 27.(1) Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits.(2) Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author.Article 28.Everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration can be fully realized.
Article 29.(1) Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is possible.(2) In the exercise of his rights and freedoms, everyone shall be subject only to such limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society.(3) These rights and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
Article 30.Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for any State, group or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set forth herein.

dua

The Message of Karbalaa

The Message of Karbalaa
The sunset of 10th Moharram in the year 61 H brought down with it the conspiracies being hatched against the principles of Islaam and frustrated the hopes of Satan and left in its wake the greatest and everlasting message of tremendous love, unparalleled obedience to the Will of Allah and ever hope-giving tradition of sacrifice to uphold the justice and sheer resistance against tyranny.This day, faith stood against the ignorance. This day the Prince of the Youth of Heaven confronted the tyrannical, hegemonic and hereditary prince of the lowest of the lows. This day Sayyed ush Shuhada Imam Hussain (as)
uncovered the darkest and most ugly face of Yazeed (may Allah’s everlasting curse be on him) for the generations to come. Same Yazeed who tried to demolish and corrupt the Most Noble Prophet’s (saw)
divine code.
This day Hussainiyat defeated Yazeediyat. On Ashura, Imam Hussain (as) along with his impeccable family members and most loyal companions laid down his life in the way of Allah (swt)
so that the religion of his grandfather (saw)
may be rescued from the most wretched and corrupt Yazeed and his lot. The sacred blood of the family of Prophet (saw) and the companions washed away all the impurities from the soul of Islaam and breathed in it the everlasting spirit of steadfastness and uprising against corruption, injustice and deviation from the Will of Allah (saw).
The falling standard of Islaam was raised again by Hussain (as)
and his companions by sacrificing all of their belongings which showed that the religion and the will of God have the precedence. All the revolutionary movements of today are consciously or unconsciously inspired by the incident of Karbalaa. In the whole world whenever an oppressor rises with Yazeedi ambitions against humanity, naturally there raises the Hussaini element to barricade it. Martyrdom has the capacity of sending the darkness back to dungeons from the society, and if these martyrdoms are from those people of whom Quran says,“Allaah only wills to remove all impurity from you, O the People of the Household of Prophet (s), and by cleansing you make you utterly pure”(Surah Ahzaab verse 33)
Then such personalities are the un-yielding divine beacons of light in the darkness and falsehood, divine hope in the face of destitution.The tragic incident of Karbalaa possesses countless lessons and messages, such as:1. Fear of God (taqwa),
means we should judge our deeds in the divine standards.2. To scarify all the belongings including life for the glory of Islaam.3. By enjoining the good and forbidding the evil in the society, leading to an equal and just system.4. Hurriat - rejecting the oppression openly.5. The companions of Imam Hussain (a)
are the symbols of submission to Allaah and Imam.6. The companions of Yazeed are the symbols of prolonged worldly desires and being opportunist.7. It is important to recognize what we are doing, because mosques and Kaaba was filled with the pilgrims yet those who stood by the truth and Islaam were few.8. It is important to recognize Imam of the time, because those who were not with Hussain (as)
were either with Yazeed or were silent listeners and the end of both is the death of ignorance.9. The people of Kufa are symbolic representation of those who prefer contemporary benefits over deen.10. During the incident and afterwards the character of women of Karbalaa is worth mentioning. Particularly the women of Prophet’s Family are the role model for the women of every nation and religion. In the time of calamity and catastrophe, they glorified Islaam , condemned the oppressors and kept on advising the society. In this way they gave life to the mission of the revelation of divine guidance to the humanity .Which is the mission of all the prophets and the Most Noble Prophet Mohammad (saw).
In the end we remind ourselves and the conscious humanity, that what were the meanings of the call raised by Imam Hussain (as),
when he was very near to breath his last? He asked, ” is there any helper who can help us?”To whom Imam was calling? As we know that if someone loses his loved ones , he loses the desire of being alive, while Imam was bearing not only the severe wounds but also the sorrows of the deaths of his relatives and companions, then what sort of help he was seeking? Who was the addressee? If we ponder over it, imam uses the words of “help us”, which is an indication to the divine duty of every thoughtful human to establish the just and peaceful society. Exactly the mission of all the prophets, the mission of our Prophet Mohammad(s), Ali ibn Abi Talib (as)
and Fatima (sa).
We can understand this help seeking, from Quran where Allah (swt) says,“Help Allaah and Allaah will help you, and strengthen you on earth”.The philosophy of the words of Imam is same, and we are the potential addressees. If we can understand, this is the methodology, the solution and indication of the role model for whenever Yazeediat tries to hide its malicious intentions under the cover of humanity and religion, the nation and societies should rise with the Hussaini revolution and should de-track the fallacious waves in such a manner that they eat up their own arks. In our times, Yazeediat in the hide of dictatorship and democracy is pitched against the divine system. It is the need of the hour that by understanding the call of Imam, we recognize those elements and systems of society who are Hussaini. And then see ourselves where do we stand? If we are in the Hussaini camp then its good, otherwise we have to adopt Hurriat and leave the short term benefits. We have to nurture the fear of God and rather than protecting the kingdom and personalities we should unite together for the establishment of the just and peaceful society. Indeed there is guidance for the righteous and God fearing

Day of Judgment

Day of Judgment
The belief in the resurrection day or the day of judgement is considered as one of the most essential backbones of one’s complete faith.
The day of judgement is the day whereby Allah will send people again to see what they have done in their lives;
the amount of good deeds will decide whether a person will live in the abode of enjoyment (paradise) or in the abode of severe punishment (hell). Consequently, the belief that our life is aimless rings hollow since there will be an appointed day when all humans without exception will stand before the Almighty who will for sure bring back to life all the dead to answer His call.
In this vein, the following verse from Quran emphasises this idea: They say, 'There is nothing but our present life; we die, and we live, and nothing but Time destroys us.' Of that they have no knowledge; they merely conjecture. And when Our revelations are recited to them, their only argument is that they say, 'Bring us our father, if you speak truly.' (45:24-25)Indeed, people will be resurrected barefooted, naked and uncircumcised on the day of judgement, as He said in His sacred book “As We started the first creation, so We shall bring it back again. This is a promise from Us, so We shall assuredly fulfill it" (21: 104).As we have mentioned before, the final arbiter on the day of judgement will be the credit of deeds that a human being has gathered during his life time. Everybody will stand on equal footing in front of His lord where he will be asked about every single act. Everyone will have his records delivered in front of him. In fact, Allah said in this context, “Whoever has done an atom's weight of good shall see it" (99:7-8); "Those whose scales are heavy, they are the successful; but those whose scales are light, they are the ones who have lost their souls in Hell dwelling forever. The fire will burn their faces, and there they will be gloomy with lips displaced" (23: 102-4); and "He that does a good deed shall be rewarded ten times the like of it, and he that does evil shall only be rewarded the like of it, and they shall not be wronged" (6:160).Furthermore, the day of judgement will be a tough day because of heat and long waiting and people will not be able to bear all these sufferings so they will ask all prophets for help. They will start with Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, then Jesus, and finally they will address Muhammad (peace be upon him) who will be the only prophet to plead with Allah to launch His judgement upon His servants. This special privilege is exclusively reserved to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and it is called the great intercession.Besides, on the day of judgement, people will pass by the pool of the prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Only the believers who have followed the teachings of Muhammad (peace be upon him) will be allowed to drink from the pool after which they will never be thirsty. This pool has special water that is whiter than milk and sweeter than honey and better in fragrance than musk.People will also pass over the Path (sirat) which is set up over hell. Their speed will depend heavily on their deeds, there will be those who will pass as fast as lighting, those who will pass as fast as wind, others as fast as birds, then as fast as a running man, and there will be those who will come crawling because their deeds will come short, and some will be thrown into hell.On the Day of Resurrection, Allah's attributes of Justice and Mercy will be in full manifestation. People, who truly believed in Allah bearing all kinds of pains and injustices in this worldly life, nevertheless, believing that an everlasting bliss and happiness were awaiting them, will be rewarded. Yet, others, who did not believe in the life after death, will be in the most miserable state. Drawing a comparison between them, the Qur'an says:Is he, then, to whom we have promised a goodly promise the fulfillment of which he will meet, like the one whom We have provided with the good things of this life, and then on the Day of Resurrection he will be of those who will be brought arraigned before God? (28:61)Eventually, be it short or long, life is but a journey that will come to an end. Humans will be asked about how they spent their lives. For this reason, it is prominent to consider the coming of the day of judgement before regret. Until, when death comes unto one of them, he says, 'My Lord, send me back, that I may do right in that which I have left behind!' But nay! It is but a word that he speaks; and behind them is a barrier until the day when they are raised. And when the Trumpet is blown there will be no kinship among them that day, nor will they ask of another. Then those whose scales are heavy, they are successful. And those whose scales are light are those who lose their souls, in hell abiding, the fire burns their faces and they are glum therein. (23:99-104)

Introduction to Sufism

Introduction to Sufism
BISMI ALLAH-IR-RAHMAN-IR-RAHIM
The word Sufi is derived from the Arabic word 'suf' whichmeans ' wool ' and which refers to the coarse woolenrobes that were worn by the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)and by his close companions. The goal of a Sufi is noneother than God Himself. There are signs of Godeverywhere in the universe and in man himself.The origin and essence of manMan is the mystery of God. For a mysterious purpose,man was outwardly created of clay and God breathed lifeinto him, and all of the angels were commanded toprostrate themselves before him. As the Qur'an, which webelieve is the highest form of revelation, declares:" And remember when thy Lord said unto theangels: Lo I am creating a mortal out of potter'sclay. So when I have made him and shaped himand have breathed into him of My Spirit, do yefall down prostrating yourself unto him."It is this Divine Spirit which is the essence of man. Thebody is merely the outward physical form which containsthe Divine spark.The body is made of the material elements fire, earth,air and water, and has five external senses -- sight,hearing, smell, taste and touch; and five internal faculties-- discursive thinking, imagination, doubting, memory andlonging. All these powers, that is, both the externalsenses and the internal faculties, serve the heart. By the'heart' we do not mean the physical organ which pumpsthe blood, and which is possessed by both man andanimals. Rather by 'heart' we mean the Divine spark whichdistinguishes man from the animals. And unlike thephysical heart which dies and decomposes with the restof the physical body, the Divine spark or heart isindivisible and transcends death because its origin is inthe spiritual world