18/05/2021
Khan Abdul Ghani Khan (1914-1996), was a philosopher, a poet and an artist. He was a scholar of Pashto language but unfortunately he has lost the worth place in the young generation. He is the John Keats, P.B Shelly and William Shakespeare of Pashto language. He is a pure naturalist, philanthropist and a Sufi. Where he exactly explored the essence of Islam and the living world. Here’s a conversation between him and a Mullah. “Ghani” is also a name in the ninety-nine names of Allah. Sometimes he refers to God. Another nickname, “Lewany/Mad” he labeled himself as Mad because people won’t understand his philosophy and label him as heretic or non-believer.
I asked a Mullah!*
I asked him, O Mullah Sahib*!
What Paradise might be?
He was swirling hand on belly, saying,
“Undried fruits and milky rivers”
Next to him was sitting a Talib*, reading,
I asked O lad, what are your thoughts?
He closed his book like Zulaikha*
White houris’ and green dots* on their faces
Sheikh* along with his Tasbih* was standing,
Swirling hand in his beard.
He jumped in,
“No, no, it’s not alike”
Beautiful Zulfan (Hairs) and heavenly tunes’
Ghani narrated to me the tales of paradise, today,
He said, “There will be houris’ and scholars’”
There will be neither hunger nor thirst,
Neither sorrows nor any servant of landlord”
I said impatiently, “hold on Ghani! Let me ask a question?”
Will to that place be love or just self-obsession,
Ghani tenderly smiled and then said,
“Everyone will have their sweetheart beside them”
“O, God! I look for you as my beloved”
Translated by
©℗® Wisal Ahmad
Glossary:
1* Mulla: a Muslim learned in Islamic theology and sacred law.
2* Sahib: Sahib is term used to address or to refer a man in a position or authority. Sometime it’s used for respect.
3* Talib: (Arabic in origin (طالب ); Tālib means ‘student, or seeker of knowledge & Truth. Means "seeker of knowledge or truth, student" in Arabic.)
4* Zulekha: (Zulaika is the name given to the wife of Potiphar in Jewish and Muslim scripture.)
5* Green dots: (Pashtun’s women traditionally put green dots on their face either on forehead or on chin)
6* Sheikh: A person with long beard in Pashtun tradition.
7* Tasbih: beads in thread used for dikhr.
8* Zulfan/ Hairs: Female beauty is gloried by black hairs (Zulfan) in Pashtun tradition.
9* Houris: A beautiful young woman, especially one of the virgin companions of the faithful in the Muslim Paradise
courtesy :wisal Ahmad sir