Book & Author
Faiz Muhammad Khoso: Selected Verses from Shah Jo Risalo — In Arabic and English
By Dr Ahmed S. Khan
Chicago, IL
The main characteristic of Latif’s poetry to my way of thought is, that it is remarkable record of a God-intoxicated man's longing to rise beyond his level of life in order to meet his maker. Latif is essentially a poet of love and longing. — A. K. Brohi
Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai (1689/1690 – 21 December 1752), the Sufi saint, is considered the greatest poet of the Sindhi language. As his collection of poetry Shah Jo Risalo gets translated into English and other languages, the global audience gets an opportunity to admire the beauty of his poetry.
Shah Sahib was born in 1689/690 in Hala Haweli, near Hala/Hyderabad, Sindh. His ancestors had traveled from Herat to Sindh in the late 14th century, and their lineage is traced back to the fourth caliph Ali (RA). Shah Sahib was a learned person. He used to carry with him three books: Qur’an, Musnavi of Mevlana Rumi, and poetry collection of his great grandfather Shah Karim. Today, people affectionately and respectfully remember Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai with many names: Shah saiN, Shah Sahib, Latif saiN, Sohno Shah Latif, Bhittai, and many others.
Shah Sahib believed in the Sufi philosophy of Wandat-ul-Wujud (Unity of Being - God and the Creation are two aspects of one Reality). Shah Sahib expressed his poetic messages in oral form, and they were not written down during his lifetime. His poetry was sung and memorized by his followers during the musical sessions (Rag). After Shah Sahib’s passing away, his followers compiled his poetry collection in a book form called Shah Jo Risalo, which contains thirty chapters, called Surs. The Risalo (message) of Shah Abdul Latif begins with the praise of Almighty Allah and holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The other themes cover local folk tales and stories of love, sacrifice, and courage. Shah Sahib connects the traditional folk tales with the divine love.
The Risalo, was translated into German by Dr Ernst Trumpp, a scholar and missionary, in 1866. Elsa Kazi aka Gertrude Loesch [1884-1967, wife (1910-1967) of Allamah I.I. Kazi, affectionately known as Mother Elsa], was the first to translate it into English. In 1940, Dr H T Sorley (1892-1963), an Indian Civil Service (ICS) officer, translated it into English and published it in his book Shah Abdul Latif of Bhit: His Poetry, Life and Times. During the past forty years, the Risalo has been translated into a number of national and international languages.
Commenting on the mesmerizing beauty of Shah Sahib’s poetry, prominent lawyer Allah Bukhsh Karim Bukhsh Brohi aka A. K. Brohi had observed: “…Whenever anyone sings a simple kafi [sufi musical narration] from Shah Sahib's poetry he provides for me a sort of aesthetic delight which I do not experience even by listening to the Ninth' Symphony of Beethoven…”
In Shah Abdul Latif: An Introduction to His Art (published by Sindhi Adabi Board, Hyderabad, Pakistan, July,1961) Allama I. I. Kazi Sahib had analyzed the message of Shah Sahib, and Elsa Kazi had translated selections from Shah Jo Risalo. Allama I.I. Kazi Sahib had observed: “Latif put Sindhi to the use that no man had done before him, and no man has dared to claim to have done in two centuries after him…” Imdad Ali Imam Ali Kazi (April 18, 1886 – April 13, 1968), aka Imdad Ali Kazi (I.I. Kazi), a contemporary of Allama Iqbal and Quaid-i-Azam Muhammed Ali Jinnah, was an eminent scholar, philosopher, jurist, and educator. Kazi Sahib was the founding father of the University of Sindh, and served as its Vice Chancellor (VC) during the period 1951-58. During his tenure as VC, Kazi Sahib invited a number of prominent academicians and intellectuals from leading universities to serve at University of Sindh (UoS), making UoS a very conducive seat of higher learning during the 1950s and 1960s. Kazi Sahib and his wife Elsa were prolific writers, they have published a plethora of work in the areas of religion, art, literature, Sufism, education, and history.
In Selected Verses from Shah Jo Risalo, Faiz Muhammad Khoso, a former Ambassador to Tunisia, has compiled and edited earlier works on Risalo, and translated SiaN Shah Abdul Latif’s Sufi poetry into English and Arabic. The book contains various themes of Shah Sahib’s poetic wisdom that include The Surs (Tunes), Kalyan (Peace), Yaman Kalyan (Passage to Peace), Khambat (Refuge), Sur Srirag (Preparation), Samoondi (The Sailors) ,Suhni (The Beautiful) , Sasui Abri (Moon), Sasui : Desi (The nature), Sasui : Kohyari (The mountain Song), Sasui Hussaini (Lamentation), Kamode (Love Resplendent), Ghatu (The Crocodile killer), Sorath (Name of Queen), Kedaro (The battle Ground), Saarang (Rainy Season) , Asa (Fervent Desire), Rip (Deep Distress), Khahori (Wandering Ascetics), Bravo Sindhi (The Beloved), Ramkali (The Ascetics ), Kapaeti (The spinners), Poarab (East), Karayal (The Swan), Dahar (Desert Valley) and Bilawal (The soothing Tune).
In the publisher's note, Shams Jafrani, Secretary, Government of Sindh Culture & Tourism Department, commenting on the nature of the book, observes: “Shah Jo Risalo tells about living an authentic and virtuous life. The Risalo is a kaleidoscope of multifarious themes and dimensions. Sometimes it appears to be a Sindhi translation of the Holy Qur’an meant to teach its readers the infinity of Allah and the essence of Islam and how to find the right path. At other times it tells about the relentless and intense yearning of a lover for his beloved. At other times it admires the beauty of the human form and its environments. Sometimes it cautions the unwary against the turbulent and no-rushing waves. At other times it shows deep sympathy for the have-nots and downtrodden and castigates their exploiters and oppressors. But at all times it instills love for all and hatred for none. Which theme and dimension this compilation of the Risalo by Mr Faiz Muhammad Khoso makes its impact, is left to the reader to discern and relish as beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder... This is a gift out of love for the lover and seeker of truth and wisdom.”
In the Prelude to Translation of Shah's Verses, Mazharul Haq Siddiqui, Vice Chancellor, University of Sindh, commenting on the challenges of translating poetry, notes: “Translation of poetry in any language is, indeed, a difficult task and harder it does become with greatness of the poet. Greatness, though relative in itself a very comprehensive and multifaceted Concept, embracing variety. of virtues defining great poetry thrusting the poet to standout conspicuously among the poets of other languages at home or abroad. Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai is undoubtedly the greatest Sindhi poet and is considered among the greatest poets of the world. To bring out his greatness by translation, therefore, is not possible. Inspiration cannot be translated, and great poetry is not as much of art as it is inspiration. It is mostly inspiration. Flow of words to effectively describe physical beauty, depth of emotion or passion, or a tragedy or affliction in a manner that makes a reader transform himself into a poet's state of mind is due to gift of inspiration. That is one of the reasons why poetry cannot be effectively translated. Mystical poetry is far more difficult. And if it is lyrical, i.e., one which could be sung and is musical and rhymed, how much harder it must be to translate and transmit its effect to the reader. You read the original poetry of the mystic poet, you rise to sublime heights of imagination and devotion inspiring the poet, provided you are born in the idiom of the language or have been very well versed in the language though not necessarily native. Having gone through the translation of selected verses into Arabic from Sur Kalyan Chapter of Divine Devotion and Peace, I must pay tribute to Dr Muhammad Fazal Rahim Soomro, for having brought his translation very close to the message in the verses. May Allah bless him for the noble service to convey Shah Abdul Latif's message to Arabic readership.”
In the foreword, the author reflecting on his affection to Shah Sahib’s poetry, observes: “Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai's name and poetry has been echoing in my ears since my birth. My father used to recite and sing Bhitai's poetry loudly and to enjoy it almost every night before going to bed. After reciting one poem, he used to say here comes another bait of Shah and then in his own way and imagination will briefly translate it to me and appreciate it. This was almost his daily routine that after offering praise to God ‘Zikir-e-Elahi’ and sending ‘Durud-o-Salam’ on the Prophet (p.b.u.h), he would recite at least several dozen poems of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai. Bhitai's poetry has two meanings: (a) Love for the Divine beloved - the Creator, and (b) Love of a person for another person or human being. People of Sindh, irrespective of whether he is educated or not, can recite at least several couplets or surs of poetry and would interpret in his own way and enjoy them immensely. Poetry of Bhitai is lyrical and people do sing it from Bhitai's time till today. People of Sindh, out of love, respect and affection remember Shah Abdul Latif with many names. They are Shah, Shah Sain, Shah Sahib, Sindh jo Shah, Latif Sain, Lakheno Latif, Sohno Latif, Sohno Shah Latif, Bhitai, Bhitai Ghot, Bhit jo Ghot, Bhit Dhani, and many more. Whenever, someone will call any of these names, people will immediately consider that he or she is talking of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai. This is known to all the Sindhis who may be living anywhere in Pakistan or abroad. I am neither a poet nor a literary figure as such to write on this greatest poet of Sindh but because of love and affection that I have for Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai, I decided to contribute a little bit paying homage to him. It is no research work on Bhitai but compilation of some of the work that has already been done by many scholars, writers and thinkers of Sindh as well as foreigners…Tunis, July 29, 2008, Faiz Mohammed Khoso Ambassador of Pakistan to Tunisia.”
The following samples of Shah Sahib’s Sufi poetry reveal the beauty of his message of wisdom, love, truth and peace:
Kalyan (Peace)
Foremost, omniscient and supreme is world's Lord,
Of his own might in existence since infinity old, Mighty creator,
Merciful sustainer, one and only, His praises sing,
He planned and perfected the universe.
Those who in Lord's peerless Oneness believe,
Accept Muhammad's (P.B.U.H) guidance, with heart and speech,
Their's is abode of bliss, for they abide God's decree,
Never misled are they to paths that dubious be.
Glorious be He, essence of beauty He,
Himself image of Beloved, Himself perfect being,
Himself the Divine, the disciple and the idea indeed,
Solution of this secret only our inner being can find.
The Echo and the call are the same,
If only you could know the secret of it,
They both were one, but two became only when hearing came.
One Palace, doors in lacs windows innumerable,
I look from one or all, behold! the Lord is there!
Physician of my body's ailment will He be,
Beloved will shower His graces on me,
Gracious one Himself enquired of me,
My body's ailment He removed,
For, Latif says, expert physician is He.
Yaman Kalyan (Passage to peace)
You are the Beloved, you are the physician,
For all ailments, you are the medicine,
You give, you cure, Oh! gracious One,
Treatment only then affects when you order it.
Mother, I believe not in their ostentations tears,
Their eyes are filled with tears for public gaze,
Those whose love is true, neither weep not speak of it.
Physicians you cannot treat my ailment;
Collect your medicines, bury them under the earth,
I desire not life without union with Divine love.
Moomal Rano (The names of man and woman who were in love)
‘Whole night I burnt the candle till dawn approached,
Return for God’s sake oh Mendhra! lest I die,
In your love and search, I have flown many crows of Kak.’
Karayal (The Swan)
High in the air, swan flew saying, ‘God is unique’.
That dark cloud it crossed where birds are tried.
Cranes cry out, per chance they are about to leave, They leave their young ones behind, hence their sadness deep.
Crane perceived not hunters' arrow aimed at it, By it's sudden shot the flock got scattered.
Hunter, may you die, may your hunting tools be blasted, For yesterday the loving pair you separated.
Crow! with humility and obeisance, greet the loved, one, Forget not on the way, the message that I ask you to give. For God's sake, speak in confidence, Latif says, repeat as I say that you may always see happy days
Fly back to me oh crow! give me my loved one’s message, Sit with me then and say when will I meet him, He, who is in distant land, bring him close to me on your wings.
Return in haste, oh crow! say that he will soon come, He who has gone to far off land, bring him to me on your wings.
Crow! give me news of the loved one who is in distant land, Your feathers, I will with gold decorate, Encircle his house, give my message to him….
Today the crow has brought felicitations, from the loved one, My wishes are granted, full of joy I have become, My appeals are answered, loved one returns with God's grace.
Same calls those who are in great trouble, Free of all calamity I become, if he just sets foot on saddle. Save you who else can you follower's burden bear?
He is the refuge and solace of the helpless ones, He never wavers, though at his door, call thousands, Where many stand aghast, find him there smiling.
Arriving at your door, my thirst is quenched, my feet cooled, Your comfort to travelers in the wilderness an oasis in the desert.
True seekers still exist, known only to those who are not for spiritual realms, Having found them, they have built their nests close to them.
You are our protector, our refuge, our leader, You are our hope in the world, our goal in the hereafter. Those helpless ones whom you protect, need pay no tax.
Selected Verses from Shah Jo Risalo — In Arabic and English is an interesting read. Ambassador Faiz Muhammad Khoso has done an excellent job of introducing the beauty of SaiN Shah Abdul Latif’s poetry to the English and Arabic readers. The book is a unique gift for all seekers of wisdom, love, truth and peace.
(Dr Ahmed S. Khan - dr.a.s.khan@ieee.org - is a Fulbright Specialist Scholar, 2017-2022).
