Sufism Wisdom: Pakistani Punjabi Spiritual Sufi Poet, Scholar, & Philosopher Mian Muhammad Bakhsh ’ Kalam Saif ul Malook
Mian Muhammad Bakhsh, in his lifetime, contributed his great mystic thought in the language of the masses Punjabi language which was also his mother tongue.
Hello, Dear Readers and followers, welcome back to my new story, I hope all’s well. Today I would like to share with you some amazing renditions of Mian Muhammad Bakhsh’s poetry. like other Sufi poets, his poetry is also simply beautiful and teaches us many different things and guides us on the right path of Allah Almighty.
But the most interesting fact here is that He belongs to my Home City Jhelum, Punjab Pakistan. So, Yes I feel proud to share his poetry and I will try my best to explain it in simple words so you can understand and learn something new from his poetry.
The poetry of Mian Muhammad Bakhsh spoke of my endeavor to live in the earthly and spiritual realms simultaneously. The beauty of his devotion offered me peace and hope.
I think Sufi poetry has that special feeling ingrained in them that manages to touch your soul, and you feel connected to each and every part of yourself, and ultimately get connected to the universe. Even Sufis have their own view of the Devine.
Let’s pay tribute to him”, who kept alive the values of Sufism Culture through his poetry.
Biography of Hazrat Mian Muhammad Bakhsh :
Mian Muhammad bakhsh is one most underrated classical poets of the Punjabi language. He is especially renowned as the author of a book of poetry called Saiful Mulūk as well as the romance tragedy Mirza Sahiban. He was born in a village called Khari Sharif, situated near Mirpur.
He belonged to the Gujjar baradari and the Dedhar clan, he was a fourth-generation descendant of Pir-e Shah Ghazi Qalandar Damriyan Wali Sarkar, who was buried in Khari Sharif. Pir-e Shah Ghazi’s Khalifah was Khwajah Din Muhammad; and his Khalifah was Mian Shamsuddin, who had three sons: Mian Bahaval Bakhsh, Mian Muhammad Bakhsh — the subject of this article -, and Mian ‘Ali Bakhsh. Mian Muhammad Bakhsh’s ancestors originated in Gujrat but later settled in the Mirpur District of Azad Jammu & Kashmir. He was a poet of the Phari language (widely spoken in different parts of Kashmir.
Mian Muhammad Bakhsh himself states in his magnum opus Saiful Maluk that he completed the work in the month of Ramadan, 1279 AH (1863 AD), and that he was then thirty-three years of age. Hence, he must have been born in 1829 or 1830.
He was brought up in a very religious environment and received his early education at home. He was later sent with his elder brother, Mian Bahaval, to the nearby village of Samwal Sharif to study religious sciences, especially the science of Hadith in the madrassah of Hafiz Muhammad ‘Ali. Hafiz Muhammad ‘Ali had a brother, Hafiz Nasir, who was a majzub, and had renounced worldly matters; this dervish resided at that time in the mosque at Samwal Sharif. From childhood, Mian Muhammad had exhibited a penchant for poetry and was especially fond of reading Yusuf o Zulaikha by Nur ad-Din Abd ar-Rahman Jami. During his time at the madrassah, Hafiz Nasir would often beg him to sing some lines from Jami’s poetry, and upon hearing it so expertly rendered would invariably fall into a state of spiritual intoxication.
Mian Muhammad was still only fifteen years old when his father, fell seriously ill, and realizing that he was on his deathbed, called all his students and local notaries to see him. Mian Shamsuddin told his visitors that it was his duty to pass on the spiritual lineage that he had received through his family from Pir-e Shah Ghazi Qalandar Damriyan Wali Sarkar; he pointed to his own son, Mian Muhammad, and told those assembled that he could find nobody more suitable than he to whom he might award this privilege. Everybody agreed, the young man’s reputation had already spread far and wide.
Mian Muhammad, however, spoke up and disagreed, saying that he could not bear to stand by and allow his elder brother Bahavul to be deprived of the honor. The old man was filled with so much love for his son that he stood up and leaving his bed grasped his son by the arms; he led him to one corner and made him face the approximate direction of Baghdad, and then he addressed the founder of their Sufi Order, Shaikh ‘Abdul-Qadir Jilani, presenting his son to him as his spiritual successor. Shortly after this incident, his father died. Mian Muhammad continued to reside in his family home for a further four years, then at the age of nineteen, he moved into the khanqah, where he remained for the rest of his life. Both his brothers combined both religion and worldly affairs in their lives, but he was only interested in spirituality, and never married — unlike them. His Formal Pledge of Allegiance
Despite the fact that he had essentially been made a Khalifah of his father, he realized that he still needed to make a formal pledge of allegiance or bay’ah to a Sufi master. Having completed his formal education he began to travel, seeking out deserted locations where he would busy himself in prayer and spiritual practices, shunning the company of his fellow men. He took the Sufi pledge of allegiance or bay’ah with Hazrat Ghulam Muhammad, who was the khalifah of Baba Baduh Shah Abdal, the Khalifah of Haji Bagasher (of Darkali Mamuri Sharif, near Kallar Syedan District Rawalpindi), the Khalifah again of Pir-e Shah Ghazi Qalandar Dumriyan Wali Sarkar.He is also said to have traveled for a while to Srinagar, where he benefitted greatly from Shaikh Ahmad Vali.
His Poetic Talents and Works:
Once he had advanced a little along the Sufi way he became more and more interested in composing poetry, and one of the first things he penned was a qasidah (quatrain) in praise of his spiritual guide. Initially he preferred to write siharfis and duhras, but then he advanced to composing stories in verse. His poetry is essentially written in the Pothohari dialect of Panjabi, and utilizes a rich vocabulary of Persian and Arabic words. His works include: Siharfi, Sohni Meheinval, Tuhfah-e Miran, Tuhfah-e- Rasuliyah, Shireen Farhad, Mirza Sahiban, Sakhi Khavass Khan, Shah Mansur, Gulzar-e Faqir, Hidayatul Muslimin,Panj Ganj, Masnavi-e Nirang-e ‘Ishq. He also wrote a commentary on the Arabic Qasidat-ul-Burda of al-Busiri and his most famous work, entitled Safarul ‘Ishq (Journey of Love), but better known as Saiful Maluk.
He died on the 7th of the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah 1324 AH (1907 AD), and was buried in Khari Sharif, not far from his illustrious great great grandfather Pier-e-Shah Ghazi Qalandar Damriyan Wali Sarkar. To this day many people visit his tomb with the intention of receiving spiritual blessings.
I would like to share with you one amazing rendition of Hz. Mian Muhammad Bakhsh’s poetry which simply beautiful and full of new lessons and guidance for the right path.
Hope you like it.
𝐄𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐲 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝐀𝐚𝐢𝐲𝐚𝐧:
This Sufi poetry of Hz. Mian Muhammad Bakhsh is deep and extremely relevant even pure magic. Like other Sufi poets same his poetry the pinnacle of excellence in his poetry is that he ponders over the ideas of existence, creation, origin, and stigmatization and ultimately loves for the Divine and also finds solutions to social issues and conflicts in society. what is appealing in his poetry is the simplicity with which the great saint addresses complicated basic problems of life and humanity.
This poem “ 𝐄𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐲 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝐀𝐚𝐢𝐲𝐚𝐧” is a very beautiful Spiritual poem’s poetry is so deep. I will try my best to explain to you what are the full meanings of this Sufi poem. I love poetry. Every version of it: the one that rhymes with the spoken word poetry.
The link to the full poetry is underneath;
English Translation:
O God, The river of your mercy always flows
I will get through if you bless me one drop of it
On the occasions of ( Eid and Shabrat) everyone returned home
Only those do not return, whom you buried with your own hands
With the mother’s death, maternal relations come to an end
Home becomes empty after the death of the father
May someone’s brothers do not die
Fair demolishes with their ( brothers) lose
O heart Get up to search for your paramour
By setting at home paramour does not meet
Without pain, you can not find those
who are close to your heart
Those who offered the prayers of love can not die
If you have any doubt go and see
Scintillating lamps on tombs
Do not rejoice in the death of an enemy
Because friends too have to die
O, Muhammad! The afternoon sun will set soon
It is not a big deal to fall in love with a beautiful face
Fall in love with the Creator (God) who created the beautiful face
Death, Death everyone says, I also say Death
What is the use of that death in which the beloved does not conciliate
This world is like a passenger compartment, One Comes, One Goes
O, Bakhsha ! Who is audacious enough to stay here forever
Whortleberry gives sweet jujube even then is punished with stone
Look at the patience of whortleberry
O, Muhammad, Doing Goodness for others
By looking after your garden I spend my entire life
When fruits were about to ripe traders (other people) took them away
Clothes are dirty and soap is very little
By collecting pieces of soap I am washing ( clothes)
In my heart, there are stains of beloved
Beloved, I cry when I recall
He who keeps his name high ( prince burns in the fire )
O Muhammad ! be courteous and bow
you will get through easily
It's easy to raise children and its difficult to raise parents
One understands this point in the last stage of life
What is the use of applying henna which does not give color
O heart gets up to search your paramour
By sitting at home paramour does not meet
Without pain, you can not find those who are close to your heart
In this world who did no help in difficult ( good and bad) times
Dear, we are better alone than this fruitless/useless friendship
Every colored color will fade away but the god’s name will live forever
Muhammad Baksha !! with every breathe we will chant Allah
What do we achieve by back Bitting
O, Muhammad! Save yourself, as you sow so shall you reap
Leave It Muhammad Bakhsha and turn the horse of pen
Background Meanings:
In the name of Allah who is forever bestowing infinite love, compassion, and mercy upon us, may all who read this post story be blessed with the wisdom of the tranquil heart, the heart that rests in the knowledge of God’s goodness. The comfort of wisdom cannot be measured,- its fruit is pure faith, service, and loving-kindness.
This Poem from the Sufi Philosopher Hz. Mian Muhammad Bakhsh Taught me what Life and love really mean. Mian Mohammad Bakhsh is a great thinker and Sufi poet. His poetry can make any person think about himself and assess his life in this world.
Each and every couplet and even word contains limitless lessons. and there are some lessons that I learned from this poetry which are the followings;
1. Allah’s mercy is infinite:
One of the first lessons I learned from this poetry was that Allah is all Merciful. Knowing Allah is an eternal journey where we build a relationship with that Absolute Perfect Being. We are never done getting to know Him because a finite creature can never encompass the infinite. Everything in this universe and all other universes is just a part of Allah’s infinite mercy and Allah’s ultimate love.
Allah, Himself says,
“And My mercy encompasses every single thing.”
The manifestations of Allah’s power, wisdom & mercy are never-ending. The nature of Divine mercy is that it’s vast, encompassing, limitless, endless, infinite, and reaches all things. There isn’t any Muslim or non-Muslim, obedient or disobedient individual who is not being constantly showered with Allah’s mercy.
Allah’s mercy is extremely vast. When He created mercy, He divided it into one hundred parts. He sent down one part of mercy to this world and has kept the rest for the hereafter.
The Prophet Muhammad PBUH said, “Allah has divided mercy into one hundred parts, and He retained with Him ninety-nine parts and sent down to earth one part. Through this one part creatures deal with one another with compassion, so much so that an animal lifts its hoof over its young lest it should hurt it.”
This is an absolutely amazing ḥadīth that helps us understand the magnitude of Allah’s mercy. Part of His mercy is that He sent the Quran to us as a book of guidance. He sent us the Quran because of His love for us.
Don’t ever think you’re unable to come back to Allah cause you have committed too many sins. That’s just the whispering of the Shaytan. Never forget, that your sins are finite. Allah’s mercy is infinite!
2. After Death of Parents:
Islam is a completely comprehensive way of life. It teaches us how one should live in society, how we should maintain good relationships with people, and how to take care of our families. Just as Allah has given the responsibility of children to their parents, He has instructed children to take care of their parents in the same way. Islam lays great emphasis on the kind, respectful and tolerant treatment of parents.
It goes without saying that showing kindness toward one’s parents is one of the main duties of man. Thus, kindness to parents is given priority over Jihaad in the cause of Allah, which indicates our great duty towards our parents.
Allah Almighty says:
“Thy Lord has decreed, that you worship none save Him, and (that you show) kindness to parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age with thee, say not ‘Fie’ unto them nor repulse them, but speak unto them a gracious word.” (Holy Quran 17: 23)
In one Hadith being good to one’s parents is second to Salah among the best deeds one can do to please Allah.
Narrated Ibn Masud: A man asked the Prophet (peace be upon him) “What deeds are the best?” The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: (1) To perform the (daily compulsory) prayers at their (early) stated fixed times, (2) To be good and dutiful to one’s own parents. (3) and to participate in Jihad in Allah’s Cause.”( Sahih Al-Bukhari Book 93 Hadith 625)
One should show all types of kindness to one’s parents. Mistreatment of parents is, in fact, a major sin as indicated by the Prophet (peace be upon him). The good doing of parents to their children is so great and therefore returning this kindness in bad is an awful reward.
From our birth, our parents take care of all our needs, nurture us with love, support us whenever we are going through something, pray for us and never leave us alone in any situation. No one in this world can be as great as your parents. They’ll be the most selfless persons in your life who only wish good for you and want nothing else in return. Who will cheer you up every time you feel down. They are the purest form of love you can find on this Earth. No matter how strict or kind your parents were, you should always treat them with tenderness and warmth.
Showing kindness to parents is not only during their lives but it also can be done after their death. Death is an irrefutable fact we can’t deny. Death in Islam is the termination of worldly life and the beginning of the afterlife. Death is seen as the separation of the soul from the body, and its transfer from this world to the afterlife. Believing in an afterlife is one of the six articles of faith in Islam. The deceased are held to be in an intermediary state until the Day of Resurrection.
Time and again, we lose ourselves in this transient world thinking that we are going to live here forever. As a result, Allah reminds us and shows us signs of the loss of a loved one to show that everything in this world is just temporary.
Losing a loved one is undeniably a grief-stricken and devastating moment, especially for the family and close friends. Although according to Qur’an 2:156, that a soul belongs to Allah and will return to Him in time, still it is a painful moment seeing our loved one passed away. Only those people who have experienced it can truly know the depth of pain it brings when it strikes. It hurts deep down in the core that sometimes you feel numb with emotion.
The Muslim community has a prescribed way in Islam how to deal with such inconsolable loss without violating Islamic values. A Muslim can show kindness and do acts expressing dutifulness to his parents after their death by making du`a’ for them, doing voluntary good deeds on their behalf, as well as fulfilling religious obligations such as Hajj, fasting, Zakah, Kaffarah (expiation), etc. on their behalf if they died before performing them or were negligent in performing them, etc.
“A man approached the Prophet asking, “Is there anything I must do in terms of kindness towards my parents after their death?” The Prophet replied, “Yes, there are four things for you to do: Praying and asking forgiveness of Allah on their behalf, fulfilling their promises, respecting their friends, and fostering their ties of kinship…”
Our duties towards our parents, as we learn from the sources, do not cease with their death; rather they continue as long as we live.
3. Be Patience :
Patience is to hold one’s soul from being impatient and displeased, holding the tongue from complaining, and the body parts from harming himself or others. Patience is mentioned in many places in the Qur’an and Sunnah of the beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), which shows the virtues and greatness of Patience. In the Arabic language, (Sabr) Patience means to confine or contain.
“Those are the ones who will be rewarded with the highest place in heaven because of their patience.” [Qur’an, 25:75]
The virtues of patience in Islam are endless. It can be practiced at every moment, in every place, and with any person. It means having hope in Allah, even when all else has failed us and our best efforts have not succeeded.
There is a great reward only for those among us who are patient with the Decree of their Lord. In this world, we face many challenges, difficulties or trials, and sufferings but we have to be patient because Allah Almighty loves those who did patient in a difficult time.
4. Do Goodness for others:
Islam is about intention, mercy, forgiveness, goodness, and kindness. Goodness or kindness is a natural result of faith and the outstanding virtues of humanity. The Arabic word in common use for goodness is (‘Ihsan), which may stand for several meanings such as excellence in work, charity affairs, bestowing favor, mercifulness, and doing things well. Another equal word is (birr).
When a man performs his duty towards Allah and people as well, he is regarded in Islam to have done and achieved favor to himself.
Allah says:
“Who so does good it is for himself and who does evil it is against it and your Lord is not an unjust to His servants.” (Holy Quran 41: 46)
Goodness may also mean originality, depth the accuracy in our deeds. This particular meaning is made clear in the Prophet’s Tradition, such as: (For sure Allah wishes from anyone of you doing something to accomplish it excellently).
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said concerning goodness:
“That you worship Allah as if you see Him, and if you do not see Him, He sees you”. This points out to the absolute presence with Allah, and the necessity of bearing Him in mind, to fear, and still to love, Him, and thus to submit and become sincere to Him.
Goodness may also mean giving gallantly, warding off evil, and paying an ill deed with a good one.
Good or bad, what we do in our lives will come back to us at some stage. So if you want goodness, stop making life difficult for others. Promote the goodness of the deen and forbid evil. Never water down your deen to please others who reject your deen in the first place. Anything you do for the sake of Allah, Allah will make it easy for you.
5. This world is like a passenger compartment:
The worldly life is nothing, but an illusionary enjoyment. Don’t sacrifice the ocean (Akhirah), For the bowl (Duniya). In this world, nothing lasts forever, everything is of temporary value. The riches to be found in Islam have eternal value.
The life of the world is nothing but a game and a diversion. The abode of the hereafter — that is truly Life if they only knew. (Quran 29: 64)
Life of this Dunya is a test and it is very short so repent and turn to Allah before you return to Allah.
We might find like-minded ppl in this World who deceive us into enjoying the temporary pleasures of this World, but in the Hereafter, there will be no helpers. Always remind yourself that everything in this world is temporary. People come & go. Feelings change constantly. Places don’t last. Here today, gone tomorrow. Attach your heart to the One who gives everlasting peace! Only the Almighty is a constant in this temporary life.
Each soul will taste what it has earned.
Final Thoughts:
Sufism is seen by many scholars as to the esoteric and mystical dimension of Islam. While most Muslims aim and hope to become close to God in Paradise, Sufis believe that it is possible to draw closer to Divine Presence in this life. The basic principles which form Sufi thought are Unification (Tawhid), Faith (Iman), and Beauty (Ihsan). Sufi’s idea of Tawhid in rooted in the belief that God is incomprehensible and His attributes only represent a slice of His reality.
Non-Muslims often mistake Sufism for a sect of Islam. Sufism is more accurately described as an aspect or dimension of Islam. Sufi orders (Tariqas) can be found in Sunni, Shia, and other Islamic groups.
Sufis are emphatic that Islamic knowledge should be learned from teachers and not exclusively from books. Tariqas can trace their teachers back through the generations to the Prophet himself. Modeling themselves on their teachers, students hope that they too will glean something of the Prophetic character.
Sufis have shaped Islamic thought and history.
Sufi poetry is always peaceful and soulful which makes us inside happy and helps to find deep soul peace and change our mindset.
Sufi poetry has the ability to express things differently and this can be seen in the lyrics as well. The expression of Love however is something we have expressed so differently that some lines from Sufi poetry have become benchmarks, probably because we have grown up reading/understanding these poems. We have some of the most heartfelt amazing poems which teach us many life lessons and spread love and happiness and unite us together and solve all problems.
hopefully, we learn from these wise words for peace in our lives.
That’s all for now😊
I think it is my utmost responsibility to pass on these concepts of different great Sufi poets etc. as it is to the Other and next generation.
I believe these points will help.
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I write to keep you thinking and to keep me thankful and reflective and until next time, keep reflecting.
Thank you for reading!
Finally, I pray to Allah to benefit those who read this article and others, grant me truthfulness in what I say and do, preserve my thoughts and my pen from deviation and guide me in all my affairs.
And all praise and thanks are due to Allah, without Whose help and guidance nothing can be accomplished. May Allah bless you with happiness, success, guidance, health, and knowledge. May Almighty Allah give us the strength to follow the Sunnah of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) and make us part of the group who is among the most righteous! Ameen.
Be patient with yourself. And Keep learning!!
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