Religious Poetry of Imam Ahmad Raza Khan: A Poetic Masterpiece III
In his poetry Imam Ahmed Raza Khan. is extremely circumspect. He resists being readily enthralled by other poets’ use of similes. He uses a very specific technique to build similes, and if he compares anything to the beauty of the Prophet (saw), it must first be purified to the level of the smokeless candle or thrown-less flower mentioned in the previous couplet. When discussing the appearance of the Prophet (PBUH)in one of his Naat, he initially attempts to draw a comparison with the bright day. Unsatisfied, he compares the rising sun instead, claiming that neither the day nor the sun are worth anything because the prophet’s (saw’s) look is so much more impressive.
Examples are,
1-Of your dust of particles these stars are a reflection,
The sky’s light is just a feeble example of your action
In it’s keen search for you the sky has always persisted,
On its feet millions of blisters by the stars have been inflicted (p.31)
2-These heels are brighter than the cheeks of the sun
They are more luminous than the stars and the moon in heaven (p.34)
3-From head to foot the Prophet’s person is like a rose,
The resemblance of his mouth, chin or body to a rose is close. (p.40)
4-The beauty is so perfect, no shortcoming in it can be found,
The flower is far from the throne’s defect, this candle has absolutely no smoke around 🙁 p.46)
The comparison of the moon at night adds to the imagery of direction and light. The moon is often associated with peace, tranquility, and guidance, and here it represents the Prophet’s presence as a source of comfort and direction. The moonlight contrasts with the darkness, highlighting the transformative power of the Prophet’s teachings and his ability to navigate believers through life’s challenges. Altogether, these lines beautifully express the deep love, longing, and reverence that the poet has for the Prophet. They portray the Prophet as a spiritual guide, whose noble character and light act as a beacon of hope, illuminating the poet’s path and providing solace in times of darkness. It reveals the profound influence of the Prophet on the poet’s spiritual journey and emphasizes the transformative power of his teachings in guiding believers to righteousness.
Affection for Ahl-e Biyat in Imam Ahmad Raza’s Poetry:
A prominent aspect of Imam Ahmad Raza’s poetry is allegiance to Islam and the Ahl al-Bayt (prophet of Islam’s family), which is an important theme of his poetry. The importance of following the teachings of Islam, defending its principles, and honoring the Prophet’s family can be described in poetry. This love serves as a sublime poetic theme of unwavering devotion to Islam and the emergence of the Ahl al-Bayt, which illuminates the path of faith for its readers. Like a steady compass that points to the true north, poetry passionately extols the virtues of Islam. The verses resonate with a deep love of religion. It emphasizes its teachings and principles and its profound impact on the lives of believers. The poet’s words become a motivation to embrace the beauty and guidance found in the teachings of Islam. He says about Gouse- Azam (R.A),
Prophetic beauty, Alvi mountain, Batooli query
Hussain’s dazzle in Hussan’s ruby:(p.15)
Imam Ahmed Raza’s poetry often contains moral and ethical teachings. Poems can address issues of justice, compassion, unity, and righteousness, with the goal of guiding people toward virtuous behavior. These poetic creations have deep social and moral values hidden in their poems. Poems serve as guiding lights, offering inspiration and guidance to readers in their daily lives. They emphasize the importance of justice and equality, urge people to treat others fairly, and uphold the rights of the oppressed. His religious poetry also encourages compassion and kindness, reminding readers to show compassion and help those in need. It promotes moral integrity and goodness, emphasizing the importance of honesty, sincerity, and righteousness.
Imam Ahmed Raza’s poetry highlights the value of respect and tolerance, encouraging readers to embrace diversity and live peacefully with others. Furthermore, poetry celebrates the virtues of humility, reminding people to let go of pride and arrogance. By exploring these social and moral values, “Imam Ahmed Raza’s Religious Poetry” encourages the readers to imbibe these virtues in their lives, thereby promoting a more just, compassionate, and harmonious society.
Literary Analysis:
Qureshi’s literary analysis is scholarly and accessible, making this book suitable for readers with varying levels of familiarity with Islamic literature. The book “Religious Poetry of Imam Ahmad Raza Khan” by D.G. Qurashi, one of the key features is the analysis of Imam Ahmad Raza Khan’s poetry, He carefully studies the linguistic nuances, rhetorical devices, and poetic structures used by Ahmad Raza Khan, giving readers a deeper appreciation of the complexity and beauty of his work. The book also includes translations of selected verses, allowing non-Urdu speakers to engage with the original texts and their meanings.
Conclusion:
The Religious Poetry of Imam Ahmad Raza Khan” by D.G. Anyone interested in Islamic devotional literature, South Asian religious history, or the poetic tradition of Imam Ahmad Raza Khan should read this book.
Qureshi’s in-depth analysis and thoughtful presentation make this book a valuable resource for scholars, students, and general readers. It not only celebrates the literary genius of Ahmad Raza Khan but also highlights the enduring relevance of his poetry in the contemporary Islamic world.
References:
1- Hayat-e-Ala Hazrat, vol. 1, p. 68, Tazkirah Imam Ahmad Raza, p. 5
2-Sanyal, Usha (30 April 2018). “Ahmad Raza Khan Barelvi”. In Kassam, Zayn R.; Greenberg, Yudit Kornberg; Bagli, Jehan (eds.). Islam, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism. Encyclopedia of Indian Religions. Springer Netherlands. pp. 22–24. doi:10.1007/978-94-024-1267-3_1951. ISBN 9789402412673. Archived from the original on 15 July 2022. Retrieved 30 April 2021 – via Springer Link.
3-Sanyal, Usha (2018). “Ahmad Raza Khan Barelvi”. Islam, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism. Encyclopedia of Indian Religions. pp. 22–24. doi:10.1007/978-94-024-1267-3_1951. ISBN 978-94-024-1266-6. Archived from the original on 22 February 2022. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
“Barelvi”. The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions.
4– https://www.dawateislami.net/magazine/en/last-page/a’la-hadrat
5-Ahmad,Masud.(1991). TheNeglectedGeniusofEast.http://ishaateislam.org/.
http://ishaateislam.org/wm/monthsdata/02/alahazrat/English_Books/Books_on_Alaha zrat/405.pdf
6– https://www.dawateislami.net/magazine/en/last-page/a’la-hadrat
7-Raza, Imam Ahmad.(1996). Imam Ahmad Raza’s Religious Poetry (Querishi, G.D. Tans.). Raza Academy Publication.
End). Imam Ahmad Raza’s Religious Poetry (Querishi, G.D. Tans.). Raza Academy Publication.
