It has been argued that the mystical Sufi form of Islam is the most sensitive to other cultures, being accommodative to other traditions and generally tolerant to peoples of other faiths. It readily becomes integrated into local cultures and they are similarly often infused into Sufism. Examples of this reciprocity are commonly reflected in Sufi poetry, music, hagiographic genres, memoires, and in the ritualistic practices of Sufi traditions. This volume shows how this often-side-lined tradition functions in the societies in which it is found, and demonstrates how it relates to mainstream Islam. The focus of this book ranges from reflecting Sufi themes in the Qur’anic calligraphy to movies, from ideals to everyday practices, from legends to actual history, from gender segregation to gender transgression, and from legalism to spiritualism. Consequently, the international panel of contributors to this volume are trained in a range of disciplines that include religious studies, history, comparative literature, anthropology, and ethnography. Covering Southeast Asia to West Africa as well as South Asia and the West, they address both historical and contemporary issues, shedding light on Sufism’s adaptability. This book sets aside conventional methods of understanding Islam, such as theological, juridical, and philosophical, in favour of analysing its cultural impact. As such, it will be of great interest to all scholars of Islamic Studies, the Sociology of Religion, Religion and Media, as well as Religious Studies and Area Studies more generally.
KHWAJA MIR DARD A Great Urdu Sufi Poet Selected Poems Translation & Introduction Paul Smith Khwaja Mir Dard (1720-1784) is considered one of the three great poets of the Delhi school of classical Urdu poetry. He is firstly a Sufi poet who saw the physical world as a veil of the Divine Reality and this world a pathway. As a Sufi... he was respected by royalty, nobility and the poor. It was his father Khwaja Mohd Nasir Andlib, a Sufi saint and poet, who was the greatest influence on him. Dard was a great lover of mystical music both vocal and instrumental and he held soirees of music and mastered the art to perfection. At 28 he renounced earthly pleasures for a life of piety and humility. He taught one should happily submit to the will of God. He was able to successfully transmit his mystical philosophy into his poetry and his ghazals can be, like Hafiz's, read in both a mystical and secular way. His Divans of ruba'is, ghazals and other forms are in Urdu and Persian, and he wrote articles on Sufism. The correct rhyme structure has been achieved in all the different forms here translated. Introduction on his Life, Poetry & Times; Forms of Poetry; Sufism in Poetry; Six Urdu Poets (Wali, Sauda, Mir, Nazir, Zafar, Aatish) in Dard's that influenced him or he influenced, with their biographies, bibliographies and good selections of their Sufi poems. Selected Bibliography. Large Format Paperback 7"x10" 210 pages COMMENTS ON PAUL SMITH'S TRANSLATION OF HAFIZ'S 'DIVAN'. "It is not a joke... the English version of ALL the ghazals of Hafiz is a great feat and of paramount importance. I am astonished." Dr. Mir Mohammad Taghavi (Dr. of Literature) Tehran. "Superb translations. 99% Hafiz 1% Paul Smith." Ali Akbar Shapurzman, translator into Persian and knower of Hafiz's Divan off by heart. Paul Smith (b. 1945) is a poet, author and translator of many books of Sufi poets from the Persian, Arabic, Urdu, Turkish, Pashtu and other languages including Hafiz, Sadi, Nizami, Rumi, 'Attar, Sana'i, Jahan Khatun, Obeyd Zakani, Mu'in, Amir Khusrau, Nesimi, Kabir, Anvari, Ansari, Jami, Khayyam, Rudaki, Lalla Ded, Mahsati and others, and his own poetry, fiction, biographies, plays, children's books and screenplays. www.newhumanitybooks.com
Any discussion about Islam these days bring about deep passions, both overt and latent. On both sides of the divide, the main common factor is that of fear. Apparently, this antagonism is between unequals. One side claims technological and material prowess within a civilized society while the other claims righteousness of their cause and the spirit of their faith. All this has given rise to the phenomenon of global heating that has elevated the global temperature in terms of fear, intolerance, terrorism, and open warfare.
The Shadow of a Bird in Flight is an invitation to engage with the rich tradition of Urdu and Persian poetry as envisioned and curated by Shamsur Rahman Faruqi. It features one hundred and sixty-seven poems by sixty poets, representing the essence of eight centuries of Indo-Persian poetic tradition. The collection invites readers to discover these works organically—each poem standing on its own, yet resonating with the others in unexpected ways. This edition is enriched by new prefaces by Mehr and Baran Farooqi, Shamsur Rahman Faruqi’s daughters, alongside his original introductory essay which situates the collection within the broader landscape of Persian poetry and his own sensibilities. With pieces spanning all five main genres of Persian verse, this anthology serves as both an introduction for newcomers and a fresh lens for seasoned readers. The Shadow Of a Bird in Flight celebrates the enduring influence of Indian contributions to Persian literature, offering a fresh and accessible entry point into this layered tradition, as well as the man who brought modernism to it.
NINE GREAT URDU SUFI POETSQutub Shah, Dard, Nazir, Mir, Aatish, Zauq, Zafar, Ghalib & Hali.Translation & Introduction Paul SmithSome of the greatest and most memorable spiritual poems of all time have been composed in the Urdu language and are contained in this anthology. CONTENTS: The Urdu Language; Urdu Poetry; The Ghazal in Urdu Poetry; The Ruba'i in Urdu Poetry; The Masnavi and other forms in Urdu Poetry; Sufis & Dervishes: Their Art & Use of Poetry. THE POETS... Qutub Shah (1565-1611) was the fifth sultan of the Qutub Shahi dynasty of Golconda in South India. He founded the city of Hyderabad and was a scholar of Arabic and Persian. He wrote poetry in Urdu and Persian. He had the distinction of being the first Urdu poet. He was also a mystic or Sufi poet and a devout Shiite Muslim. Dard (1720-1784) is considered one of the three great poets of the Delhi school of classical Urdu poetry. He is firstly a Sufi poet who saw the physical world as a veil of the Divine Reality and this world a pathway. Nazir (1735-1830) No other Urdu poet used as many words as Nazir. He was influenced by Amir Khusrau, Sadi, Rumi and like many other Urdu poets especially Hafiz whom he often quotes. He eventually renounced all wealth for a life of poverty. He was said to have been a great musician. It is also said that he became God-realized. Mir (1723-1810) practiced the Malamati or 'Blameworthy' aspect of Sufism. Using this way one ascribes to oneself an unconventional aspect of a person or society then plays out its results either in action or in poetry. He composed mainly ghazals and an autobiography. Aatish (1777-1847) was born in Faizabad. Some critics rank him beside Mir and Ghalib. His ghazals are mainly Sufi in flavour on the traditional themes of human and divine love. He went blind towards the end of his life. Zafar (1775-1862) the last of the Mughal emperors in India,, was a noted Urdu poet and Sufi who often held poetry readings at his court. He was especially influenced by the poet Zauq. He wrote a large number of Urdu ghazals and other forms of poetry. Zauq (1788-1855) was a religious man and in his ghazals he often dealt with mystical and ethical themes. Most of his poetical output was lost during the mutiny of 1857. Ghalib, (1797-1869). His Urdu Divan of this now famous poet contains 263 ghazals and ruba'is, masnavis, qasidas and qit'as. There have been many movies based on his life made in India and Pakistan where his popularity has never flagged. Hali 1837-1914) was poet, critic, teacher, reformer and prose-writer. He also wrote biographies of Ghalib and Sadi of Shiraz. The correct rhyme-structure & meaning has been obtained in all of these hundreds of beautiful, inspiring, loving, honest, mystical poems. Large Format Paperback 7" x 10" Pages 821.Paul Smith(b. 1945) is a poet, author and translator of many books of Sufi poets of Persian, Arabic, Urdu, Turkish and other languages including Hafez, Sadi, Nizami, Rumi, 'Attar, Sana'i, Jahan Khatun, Obeyd Zakani, Mu'in ud-din Chishti, Amir Khusrau, Nesimi, Kabir, Anvari, Ansari, Jami, Khayyam, Hallaj, Rudaki, Yunus Emre Ghalib, Iqbal, Makhfi, Nazir, Bulleh Shah, Baba Farid, Lalla Ded, Abu Sa'id, Ibn al-Farid, Abu Nuwas, Seemab, Jigar, Qutub Shah and many others, as well as his own poetry, fiction, plays, biographies, kids books and a dozen screenplays.www.newhumanitybooks.com
The Book Seeks To Present A Compact Survey Of The Rich And Varied Contribution Of Urdu To The Indian Literary Mainstream Through Centuries Of Shared Creative Endeavour And Inspiration. Designed To Serve As A Reliable Guide For Interested Readers From Sister Languages, It Brings Into Focus The Currents And Cross Currents That Have Shaped Its History And Produced Personalities Of Distinction And Prestige Whose Works Have Stood The Test Of Time. The Lucid And Balanced Treatment Of Numerous Forms Of Poetry And Prose Has Both Range And Depth And Reveals A Broad Understanding Of The Historical Forces Behind Deviations From Convention And Transformations In Styles That Have Given Us Perennial Sources Of Joy And Intellectual Fulfilment.
TWO MASTER SUFI POETS & FRIENDS OF DELHI AMIR KHUSRAU & HASAN DEHLAVI Selected Poems & BiographiesTranslation & Introduction Paul SmithIn Delhi in the 13th century the great Sufi Master Nizam al-Din Auliya of the Chistiyya order had two famous disciples who were also poets: Amir Khusrau, the 'Parrot of India' and Hasan Dehlavi, the 'Sadi of India' who remained close friends all their lives. Amir Khusrau composed over 90 books and was a musician who invented the sitar as well as being an historian, and many other occupations... a truly 'universal man'. He too eventually became a Spiritual Master. He was influential on Hafiz of Shiraz who copied his ghazals and was probably the founder of the Urdu language. He composed ghazals, ruba'is, many masnavis and in most other forms of Persian poetry. Hasan Dehlavi born in the same year as Khusrau was a supreme master of the ghazal and also composed a famous book of stories and sayings of their Spiritual Master, Nizam al-Din Auliya. The large selection of poetry translated of both poets is in the correct rhyme structure & meaning. Introduction: The Spiritual Master of the Two Poets, Sufis & Dervishes: Their Art and Use of Poetry, Some of the Persian Poetic Forms Used by the Poets, Biographies & Selected Bibliographies. Large Format Paperback, 7" x 10" 355 pages.COMMENTS ON PAUL SMITH'S TRANSLATION OF HAFIZ'S 'DIVAN'."It is not a joke... the English version of ALL the ghazals of Hafiz is a great feat and of paramount importance. " Dr. Mir Mohammad Taghavi (Dr. of Literature) Tehran."Superb translations. 99% Hafiz 1% Paul Smith." Ali Akbar Shapurzman, translator of works in English into Persian and knower of Hafiz's Divan off by heart."I was very impressed with the beauty of these books." Dr. R.K. Barz. Faculty of Asian Studies, Australian National University. "Smith has probably put together the greatest collection of literary facts and history concerning Hafiz." Daniel Ladinsky (Penguin Books author). "I have never seen such a good translation and I would like to write a book in Farsi and introduce his Introduction to Iranians." Mr B. Khorramshai, Academy of Philosophy, Tehran.Paul Smith is a poet, author and translator of many books of Sufi poets from the Persian, Arabic, Urdu, Turkish, Pashtu and other languages... including Hafiz, Sadi, Nizami, 'Attar, Sana'i, Jahan Khatun, Obeyd Zakani, Nesimi, Kabir, Anvari, Ansari, Jami, Khayyam, Rudaki, Bulleh Shah, Shah Latif, Mansur Hallaj, Yunus Emre, Mu'in, Ibn Farid, Lalla Ded, Mahsati, Abu Said, Ghalib, Nazir, Iqbal, Inayat Khan and many others, as well as poetry, fiction, plays, children's books, biographies and screenplays. www.newhumanitybooks.com
'A riveting resurrection of the city of poets, the city of history, Saif Mahmood's learned and evocative book takes us to the heart of Delhi's romance with Urdu verse and aesthetics.'--Namita Gokhale Urdu poetry rules the cultural and emotional landscape of India--especially northern India and much of the Deccan--and of Pakistan. And it was in the great, ancient city of Delhi that Urdu grew to become one of the world's most beautiful languages. Through the 18th and 19th centuries, while the Mughal Empire was in decline, Delhi became the capital of a parallel kingdom--the kingdom of Urdu poetry--producing some of the greatest, most popular poets of all time. They wrote about the pleasure and pain of love, about the splendour of God and the villainy of preachers, about the seductions of wine, and about Delhi, their beloved home. This treasure of a book documents the life and work of the finest classical Urdu poets: Sauda, Dard, Mir, Ghalib, Momin, Zafar, Zauq and Daagh. Through their biographies and poetry--including their best-known ghazals--it also paints a compelling portrait of Mughal Delhi. This is a book for anyone who has ever been touched by Urdu or Delhi, by poetry or romance.
