Abdul Ahad Zargar A mesmerized poet and DISTINGUISED visionary

Author IMRAN YOUSUF - Friday, 21 09 2012 09:11 RELATED NEWS

Haal-e-Dil Nabiyes Soun Chuie Roshan Cha Faramoshan Poshan Paie Sozeh Bulbul Vetchah Gileh Khamoshan Cha Faramoshan Poshan Paie Mael Majeh Rechso Manz Ha Goshan Dael Hayeth Kalima Muhammad Aai Nael Aseh Porukh Dil Aaseh Roshan Cha Faramoshan Poshan Paie

Beloved Nabi (SAW) cognizes our hearts wish Ignorant shall be desperately helpless Songs of Nightingale cant impress legends Ignorant shall be desperately helpless Parents looked after me under heedful scrutiny Noble Nabi SAW bestowed universe Kalima, boon of heaven Embracement of Kalima brightened our Hearts Ignorant shall be desperately helpless (The very first verses of Kulyaat-e-Ahad Zargar)

Abdul Ahad Zargar, one of the celebrated mystic poets of Kashmir was born at Narwara Srinagar in the year 1882 and left for the next journey hereafter on 21 of November 1973 on Wednesday at 4.00am leaving behind his inspiring mystic mesmerized verses and Sufi conception for upcoming generations.
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Ahad Zargar belongs to a family of Shawl weavers; his father was a craftsman who weaves cloths for which Kashmir is renowned throughout world from decades. Ahad Zargar son of a shawl weaver never went to school but learned a bit of Persian conversationally. Family of Ahad Zargar was precisely influenced by the mystic Sufi poets of the time and was inclined towards Sufism; this gave Ahad Zargar trouble-free initiation in the sphere of mysticism.

Ahad Zargar was the true follower of Qadri Silsila (order of Sheikh Syed Abdul Qadir Jeelani R.A). Gaus-ul-Azam Dastigeer, the unveiler of secrets, the keeper of light, the sheikh of sheikhs, the sultan of ascetics, the sultan of the

dutiful, his divine illumination have attracted believers, disciples, devotees and students from all quarters of the globe. He is a secret of Allah's secrets, appearing in His divinity and existing in his existence. He is the master of Sufi path, the builder of the truth, the King of the Walis.

Arz-o-Samma Paedeh Kor Dastigeer Nie Davur-o-Adam Dar Wajood Oun Peer Nie

Earth and the skies made by Dastigeer Time and Adam made by my Mursheed

Be Amal Aalim Che Shejar Be Samar Be Adad Pertan Baden Tafseer Nie Arz-o-Samma Paedeh Kor Dastigeer Nie

Impractical literate is like a futile tree If he read infinite sacred commentaries, still in vain Earth and the skies made by Dastigeer

Pokhteh Zanan Nukteh Asraar-e-Wajood Nukteh Bozun Kya Tagaan Be Peer Nie Arz-o-Samma Paedeh Kor Dastigeer Nie

Specializers know the veridical meaning of this creation Who he sans Mursheed does not perceive the realism Earth and the skies made by Dastigeer

Ahad Zargar Dastigeeras Deddeh Tal Ganjeh Marifat Kareh Ata Dil Geer Nie Arz-o-Samma Paedeh Kor Dastigeer Nie

Ahad Zargar is at Dastigeers doorsill May shower divine blessings unto devotees Earth and the skies made by Dastigeer

Abdul Ahad Zargar had three wives, first and second wife hailed from Ganderbal and Srinagar respectively both were having no children. Then Zargar got married with SITARA sister of Gull Mohd Shah and Mustafa Shah from Bijbehara. Sitara belongs to an honest family; her brothers were well known and pious human beings of the locale. After some time of marriage Abdul Ahad Zargar shifted from Narwara Srinagar to Bijbehara Anantnag and lived there for next 30 years.

Zargar has observed many Mehfil-i- Samma functions at Bijbehara, Ghulam Ahmad Sofi the leading singer of traditional Chakhri used to sing in the functions of Zargar. Zargar got public reputation in the whole vicinity and had many disciples from different paths of life. One of his most illustrious, extensively notorious and esteemed poem Fakiri which acquired place in every readers and listeners heart, the poem is truly a masterpiece beyond any comparison.

Fakiri Ahad Zargar Tchuie Tche Darbar Fakiri Jalweh Maraan Ander Nebar Fakiri Lah Naawtan Rum Rumie Fakiri Kaaba-o-Mehraab Tchumie

Fakiri is waiting at doorsill for you Ahad Zargar Fakiri the only thing lustrous within and without Fakiri dwells in every part of my body Faqiri is for me the Kaaba and the haven

Ahad Zargar attained the highest pinnacle of spirituality. The nonpareil style of composition, profound love for the attainment of divine and inspirational expression of thoughts makes Zargar exceptional versifier and imaginative thinker.

Burkeh Mutchrith Hav Tam Mah-e-Tabaan Chaneh Jalwuk Sondreh Aaseh Armaan Aftaabas Thotham Ubruk Niqaab Betaabas Chett Tham Sabr Rich Tanaab Girdeh Aabas Loogthas Ti Yeh Chu Tofaan Chaneh Jalwuk Sondreh Aaseh Armaan

Come out of your veil and show me your countenance We desire for your sole glimpse Oh! Beautiful You made Sun occult with the veil of clouds My desperation crossed the bounds of endurance You left me alone in midway, it is brutal We desire for your sole glimpse Oh! Beautiful

I personally visited one of Zargars disciples namely Abdul Rehman Hakeem belongs from Bijbehara presently living at Anchidora Anantnag. Abdul Rehman Hakeem, a religious man with noble thoughts. He has many disciples and is well respected Mursheed. While having discussion with Abdul Rehman Hakeem about his Mursheed Abdul Ahad Zargar, he expressed one of his own stories with his Mursheed.

Abdul Rehman Hakeen was suffering from some sort of ailment in 1940s when he was a child. His father took him to many Hakeems and doctors of the time for treatment, but all in vain. His father was worried about Rehmans health; who was going through painful sensation. Then his father decided to visit Abdul Ahad Zargar and said him to cure his child. Rehmans father also pledged not to took his child back, i f Ahad Zargar restore his health back, he would leave his child forever in Zargars service. Ahad Zargar consented and the child got well in very short time. That was the day when Abdul Rehman Hakeen initiated serving Ahad Zargar till his last breath. According to Abdul Rehman Hakeen, he bowed before Zargar in 1953 and became his disciple. Abdul Rehman Hakeen is one of most renowned discipline of Zargar. He is reckoned as important guest and is invited in every function dedicated to his Mursheed Abdul Ahad Zargar.

Ahad Zargar has penned many poems in the love of sole perfect man of this universe, The Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him) the noble precious one, King of kings, leader of holy ones, a mercy to all creation, the model of humanity, kindness, honesty, sympathy and charity.

Tchus Tang Dast Be- Nawa Be-Kas Hazrat-e-Nabi Tchum Faryaad Ras Kus Chum Tch Siwa Haal Bavass Hazrat-e-Nabi Tchum Faryaad Ras Kath Chum Duniya Ti Ukba Bakaar Bas Chum Kafi Choon Dedaar Gath Bow Karaie Roie Naazneenas

Hazrat-e-Nabi Tchum Faryaad Ras

Hopeless, forlorn I am, sans a penny Hazrat Nabi (SAW) my beloved is listening I have none without you whom I plea Hazrat Nabi (SAW) my beloved is listening Neither I want this world nor do I desire for heaven Your sacred Sight Ya Rasulullah SAW is sufficient for me I shall circumambulate your blessed face Hazrat Nabi (SAW) my beloved is listening

Abdul Ahad Zargar and Sitara birthed two sons Khurshid Ahmad Zargar (Government employee) and Shahnawaz Ahmad Zargar (shopkeeper) and three daughters. Khurshid Ahmad Zargar carry on his fathers track and use to organize the Mehfil-i-Samma functions, invites his fathers disciples, looks after them with great respect. He has lived up to his fathers expectations.

The Ahad Zargar library situated beside Astaani-i-Aaliya of Ahad Zargar is constructed by Khurshid Ahmad Zargar Abdul Ahad Zargars day is being celebrated on 12 of August every year at his Astaan-i-Aaliya. Poets, writers, Sufi lovers and disciples offer their presence every year in multitude numbers. Only this year in 2012 the day was celebrated on 12 of September because of Ramadaan. The day is also being observed at Bijbehara organizes by Manzoor Ahmad Shah, son of Zargars brother-in-law Gull Mohd Shah.
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Abdul Ahad Zargar was contemporary of Samad Mir, the fabled mystic poet of vale. Not only they lived the same period but inhabited the same Mohallah called Narwara Srinagar.

La Sar Kath Dapaan Mann Chey Sipaari Kaafir Sapdith Karum Iqraar Harfan Maney Zaneh Hoshaar Kaafir Sapdith Karum Iqraar

To know the eternity is the book of Heart Me became an infidel to turn myself to become a truthful of Deity Ingenious know the true meaning of words

Me became an infidel to turn myself to become a truthful of Deity

Yes Seeth Nikah Chuie Ba Tatbeer Tas Senzay Babeh Cho Daam Daam Sheer Yith Neh Gaangal Karie Kanh Agyaar Kaafir Sapdith Karum Iqraar

With Whom I got married heartedly From her breasts I suckled the milk Dont pay heed whatever others construe it Me became an infidel to turn myself to become a truthful of Deity

Meiy Lod Adam Meiy Detus Jaan Meiy Zaav Muhammad Meiy Wun Quraan Meiy Nish Non Drav Malik-ul-Jabaar Kaafir Sapdith Karum Iqraar

I made the Adam, I bestowed him life I birthed the Muhammad and uttered the noble Quran I made known the controller Almighty Me became an infidel to turn myself to become a truthful of Deity

A person cannot even imagine about the light of day without seeing the dark night as the truth has no meaning without lie. The poet wants to express that he didnt know being beloved to deity so he preferred the path of infidelity to know and to become faithful to God. A legendry Persian poet Amir Khusro has also mentioned the word Kaafur in his couplet.

Kaafir-e-Ishqam Musalamaani Maraa Darkaar Neist Har Rag-e-Jaan Taar Gashta Haajab-e-Zunnaar Neist

I am infidel of love; I don't need to be a Muslim,

Each vein of my body has turned into a sacred thread

I would love to pen down a famous tale of Samad Mir in connection with Ahad Zargar. One day a Mehfil-i-Samma function was organized at Samad Mirs home, Gulam Ahmad Sofi was the singer who used to sing for both mystic poets in the majority of occasions. Gulam Ahmad Sofi initiated with the Kalaam of Ahad Zargar, everybody expected Sofi to recite the Kalaam of Samad Mir in Samad Mirs function. But intentionally Sofi continued to recite the Kalaam of Zargar whole night made everyone astounded. Samad Mir did not halt Sofi and was listening in a peaceful serene manner. At morning when everyone was leaving Samad Mir called for Gulam Ahmad Sofi, who anticipated that Samad Mir would be furious but he said, You recited great Kalaam whole night, well done.

Abdul Ahad Zargar has poetized Ghazals with great depth, force and dynamism; his thoughts are full of originality, uniqueness and freshness. Ahad Zargar was entirely opposite to egotists, in so many poems he has defined that the ego should be overcome. He has delineated his spiritual thoughts in his verses in simple romantic language. Ahad Zargar has written great mystic poetry, he was multilingual in language but always looked for divine presence. I believe that poets like Ahad Zargar are boons of heaven, gifted with great and noble ideas. He was the poet of great class and an ardent versifier of Sufi realm. Some writers, poets and philosophers consider Abdul Ahad Zargar last mystic poet of Kashmir.

Aareh Rustio Ha Dilbar Lo Lo Wareh Boztam Sooz-e-Jigar Lo Lo Nareh Tengal Chum Bistar Lo Lo Wareh Boztam Sooz-e-Jigar Lo Lo

You unkind, Oh! My dear beloved Eavesdrop to my anguish hearts plea In isolation I sleep on blazing fire Eavesdrop to my anguish hearts plea

Chem Kaman Dimna Jaman Chaakh Manz Aaman Wanha Chaani Firaaq Luqeh Paman Baal Kya Kar Lo Lo Wareh Boztam Sooz-e-Jigar Lo Lo

You dont listen to me, I shall tore my clothes I shall divulge overtly your severance

What I answer to the teasing of others Eavesdrop to my anguish hearts plea

Folktale has preserved that Ahad Zargar started writing fervent, enthusiastic and passionate Sufi mystic poetry at the age of 25. He still stands out gleaming in present day Sufi poets for his contribution to Sufism, Kashmiri literature and Philosophy.

Ahad Zargar has composed huge quantity of verses, the book Kulyaat-e-Ahad Zargar is comprised of 18 books. Besides Kulyaat-e-Ahad Zargar he has written Gull Snowber and has also poetized the antique folktale AKANANDUNin his own words and style. AKANANDUN (The only Son) is penned by many Kashmiri poets viz. Bahadur Ganie in 15 century, Ramzan Bhat in 19 century, Tara Chand (Bismil Kashmiri) in 20 century, Samad Mir and Abdul Ahad Zargar.
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Ghulam Nabi Khayaal has compiled the book of Akanandun containing all five books written by above mentioned poets and is published by Jammu & Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture & Languages (1 Edition in 1974 and 2 Edition in 1998). The initial verses of Ahad Zargars legend Akanandun are:
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Nosh Dilnei Kun Beh Tchus Arrza Karaan, Goosh Guzarii Gache Karin Path Hosh Saan Tchus Neh Shayir Tchus Siya Kaara Kharaab, Yeth Fasanas Dil Karaan Tchum Iztiraab Shayiran Seeth Bael Karaan Tchus Maan Maan, Nei Meh Aqla Nei Meh Elim Nei Keh Meh Zaan Yud Meh Aasem Keh Ghalath Yeth Manz Gomut Ya Meh Aasem Nukteh Kah Beroon Pemut Dast Bast Tchus Buzargan Kun Wanaan Yem Tche Danah Haq Shenass-o- Nukteh Daan

I am narrating to those who are possessing pure heart Weigh your words before you speak I am not a poet but a wrong doer But my heart is anxious to pen down this distressing tale Futilely I am competing with good poets Neither I am astute or learned nor do I have knowledge

If I am mistaken in poetizing this story Or I have omitted any important dot (thought) My Hand folded request to the legends of poetry Who are wise critics of this form of art

Akanandun is folklore of desperate parents who birthed seven daughters but need a boy child. A Jogi with mystical powers gives them boy child and make the parents of Akanandun to swear that they will return the child precisely after twelve years. Akananduns parents accepted the condition without thinking what would happen after 12 years and soon conveniently forgot the promise made. The couple got busy in bringing up their son in the finest possible way and without imagining about the coming future. Both were lost in the love of their child but the Jogi remembered the promise very well and returned after the stipulated time and demanded that the boy be returned to him.

Ahad Zargar has written Akanandun in twelve parts, the story is quite interesting till the Jogi comes back for the child bestowed. It turns the face of whole story; suddenly joyful family turns into gloom. Eighth part of the story is breathtaking when Jogi comes back after the specified time for child. This reality shatters the world of parents and they beg Jogi to spare their childs life.

Jogeh Tchuie Sawaal Parmeesh Warnuieye Mateh Martan Akanandunieye Heyot Batnay Badeh Waddnuye Mateh Martan Akanandunieye

Oh! Jogi for the sake of God Dont slaughter Akanandun The mother was outcrying loudly Dont slaughter Akanandun

Abdul Ahad Zargar represents the school of Sufi mystic poets in Kashmir. He was a gifted Sufi poet. His lines are completely filled with Tasawwuf enter readers heart with deep impact and impression. He has poetized Tasawwuf so beautifully that even numbed souls experience feeling of extreme joy, the emotion of great

happiness and sentiment of excessive pleasure and satisfaction. He was the devotee of divine path, the path which washes ones inner self.

Kashmir has always been on the upper hand for producing great poets, scholars and philosophers; the vale is deemed as the divine dwelling place and Zargar evidenced the supernatural excellence of his birth place for producing fantabulous Saints, Munnies , Reshis and Sufis from centuries. Ahad Zargar was a glistening star to maintain the eminence, grace and magnificence of traditional Sufi poetry of Kashmir. No doubt Zargar Sahab has left this mortal material world but is alive in our hearts for his perpetual contribution. IMRAN YOUSUF Anchidora, Anantnag (J&K) 192101 +91 9797959500 For feedback imranaaadi@gmail.com