I wait for the teacher

In green of the meadow

Where Spring is in bloom

A petal with translucence of white 

And tender pink in hue

Catches attention -

On it rests light

A whole drop of dew 

from the gone past night

Boldly it lures sun to smile

Inviting a ray of light

At dawn  

To pierce heart of its liquid form

Through lost virginity

In exquisite togetherness

Is perceived -

A 'Knowing' of light is born

Tearing apart 'not knowing' of night

A myriad colours daze and sparkle 

In several shades

That glint and gleam

To exude exquisiteness

That's been never beheld before

By a seeing sight. 

This spring

It's this beauty 

That's brought 

A catch to my breath

Despite chill in air 

I've donned a shawl to venture near

The fountain of knowledge

That springs from You

Rests in orchard near

It beckons to quench thirst for You

From close I want sip

So I call to let longing be known

Then with humility 

Here I kneel and bow

I take my seat 

On Your green 

I wait for the teacher to arrive.

Having a good day

I turned my corner

And heard, 

A voice called out -

Good after-morning 

I skipped

I smiled

Headed on my walk 

through noon

To greet good afternoon

With sunshine on the high

I folded wings

With a content sigh 

Saw sun to its setting pink

With a good evening 

On the nigh

I know for sure

Though bones ache sore

I will slumber sound

Dreamlessly a good night

My dream was seen

And lived to full

With knowing light of day

And day dreamer when goes to bed

sleep is bedded light.

Natural and Sacred

Nature is bare

Opulent, profane

Sacred is beauty,

In veil -

So when Adam fell

Eden was lost to earth

Out of favour

He heard call

Soul urged for return

From carnal state

To pick self up

In repentance

He sought to sacralise 

His return could  

Only be 

If he donned 

Eternal garb of Divine.

A nickel to spare?

Is there a nickel 

on you to share?

he asked gently,

with a - Ma'am. 

Sure. it's in here

So keep 

I fisted a few to hand

then jaunted cheerily 

to say - after all 

it's there only

to put food in belly

that sharpens body and soul

its not meant 

to sully mind

with a pint of beer or ale.

I saw a smile

break to bare

a hearty humor in spirit

tipping hat
with a tilt 

as I filled the can

its keeper said -

so now I've to 

remember that?

he grinned and hissed 

Oh Damn!

I see, hear, smell, taste and sense

They ask:

Why you pray?

I say:

Doing so I see

light of hope

in my day.

They ask:

Why you fear

I say:

I hear 

a single slip might

take You away.

They ask:

Why you stay away?

I say:

I smell 

danger lurk in 

world's snare

I dwell safer

In my own well.

They ask:

Why you love?

I say:

Doing so I strove

to taste Your Presence 

in my soul.

They ask:

Why you give?

I say:

I live to give 
get sense

that makes me receive 

more of You. 

Knowing the Hadid (Iron)

It's written in the Book - You see 

By virtue of being

All Seeing One

And for You are 

Hidden and Explicit One

Latent and manifest outwardly

Ringed, held sanct

In every form

You know 

All that there is

To know.

Knowledge inevitably so

Is very essence of Thee 

And to draw of it

Is salvation

So the Wisdom of wise

Does speak -

Then tell me what and how

Of being free

Of this thirst

That brings my soul

To Your well

Call water bearer

Let him water

Depths of my rusted pail. - You see 

By virtue of being

All Seeing One

And for You are 

Hidden and Explicit One

Latent and manifest outwardly

Ringed, held sanct

In every form

You know 

All that there is

To know.

Knowledge inevitably so

Is very essence of Thee 

And to draw of it

Is salvation

So does the Wisdom of wise speak -

Then tell me what and how

Of being free

Of this thirst

That brings my soul

To Your well

Call water bearer

Let him water

Depths of my rusted pail.

دل او مومن و دماغش کافر است

اقبال نے بتلایا تو ہم نےاپنا روگ جانا

دل ہے مومن اور ذھن ٹھہرا بےٹھکانا

ہے دعا اب  یا ربب 

 -دل کو ہے کہلانا 

اے دل تو جاۓ سکوں سے 

للّه نا کھسک جانا 

معرفت کی لو دو 

دماغ ہو تابندہ 

.آ جایگا جیسے پروانا 

प्यास बाक़ी सही

ख़ामोश तुम्हारी दी 

ज़िंदगी का घूँट

पिये जाएँगें

चाहे प्यास को आसूदगी

मिले ना मिले,

ना कोई सवाल है

ना इसरारे जवाब 

का है यहां मुकाम,

साथ साक़ी का है

सिर्फ़ रूह को दरकार 

फिर चाहे सोज़ अतश को 

सैराबगी का जाम 

मिले ना मिले ।

अकेले कहाँ हैं हम तुम?

अकेले कहाँ हैं हम तुम

हर रूह के साथ

इक भीड़ जुटती है

कुछ ख़्वाब कुछ ख़्याल

तोड़ते मरोड़ते 

बस यूंहीं से सवाल

इस सरकते कारवाँ में

अकेले कहाँ हैं हम तुम? -

तनहाई बस ख्वामख्वाह 

पैरों से लिपटती है ।

working on being human

Take no offence

I share just
as a matter of note

I know not 

what it is

to be Divine

what I know for sure 

surfing through pages of time

it's not easy 

being Human

as willeth Thine!

वक़्त कब रूका है?

हंसो और खुश रहो

कि ज़िंदगी छोटी है 

और वक्त है कम

न जाने कब हो 

इस की, उसकी 

आँख नम

तो स्वयं को थाम 

वक़्त को अपनी 

रफ़्तार से जाने दो

हँसी ख़ुशी का जाम 

हर महफ़िल में 

बस छलछलाने दो.

I want to emulate

Valmiki - the robber

who turned to scribe.

He looted many a wayfarer

before changing course.

Confession,on other hand

for me, my sin's been 

allowing loot

of my wayfaring soul

So penance 

is a yearn

deep within is desire 

to be still

like him be veiled

behind ants' home

taking inward turn 

and hum

of incessant chant 

let me be at rest

In peace 

Tathastu

Dua

As many ways

So many voice

The message of call

Remains nevertheless same

A communique

From one to ONE 

To ask

It says -

Shalom, Salam, Peace

And here I too join 

with a heartfelt Amen

To all.

Reality

Ali said to Kumayl

About what I strove to understand:

Reality is -

more than

what's sought as truth 

it's perceived by heart

without being pointed at

it comes from knowing 

by virtue of You

when Oneness illumines

it's enticingly clear

without speculation of doubt 

magnificence is manifest 

without cover or cloud.

Its awareness is graced

in faith of devout

for no illusions remain

or veil to peel

without shred of shroud

Reality just is -

unchanging, unflickering all-about 

it's Seer within

who to prepare for reveal

with fervour of seeker 

brings thirst to spring

from scorch of fire

set alight by desire
he's co-erced 

to reach and bring

quench to his soul 

he begins to sing.

Reality is 

it that heeds his call

it forges forth 

to save grope in dark

and to alleviate 

lone night's toll

when dawn does break

enlightening his path

a ray of morn

by touching his earth

extinguishes the need 

for lamp to be lit

darkness is done with

once ignorance suffers fall
the one with sight
sees it all -

All that is then

Reality is.

I want to reach the kernel

Taste sweet pulp of the fruit

Raw husk that hides nectar

Needs more than my tooth

So many hands offer

Instruments of all size

Pen knife to axes 

Are extended by aide

As the eager urge

to take side

I choose like Arjun 

To stand stubbornly aside -

Let help come to seeker

With aid of Your might.

बस बचपन ही खरे सच की पहचान है

सच्चाई में खोट बढ़ती उम्र का लगान है -

सो ऐ रब मुझे बच्चा ही रख!

I am not a mother

I am mere care taker 

Of their soul

And in remuneration

I've received more 

Much more than my share

From time 

Of first stirrings felt

When new life began

Those given to me

To shelter for short while

became lifelong friend

Angels in guard for me

They hugged me close to warm

Held light when darkness dwelled

And eyes got weak to see

They alerted to

Hushed steps of gloom

Whenever it advent near

I was lightened so with shared laugh

In harmony our songs were sung

With love in rhyme 

hope in melody;

In storm 

We stuck close

Each served other as rudder

To steer clear 

and dry to shore -

Importantly I've known this 

And will always know

for sure - while there's distance 

For now, however

whenever my coat's hung

For final lie 

I'll hear them cheerily walk along

Carrying flowers in their bloom

Singing with gay and gale in tone

To make me smile as I lie lone

When they say with love

I'll cheer yea, yea

We were merry 

We were  happy 

We are glad that we were made to dwell

Together as family.

I love you loads Somu, Momu.

Reed to flute

Hollowed reed 

fashioned to flute;

holes set, cut, 

carved meticulously out

to place the notes

that joyously

play Your tune,

do listen then 

All-Listening One -

It's Your song 

being sung

still waiting to be

complete in composition.

Holi is here

Holika will burn tonight

On pyre

Shall be as humble offer

All that I've been so far

For fear has left, 

My being isn't any more

Afraid of being left bereft

Not being loved ever forever.

With surge -

In transience of flames 

I'll witness fire

Of passion and ardour rise 

In splendour 

to sate the skies

Hues will fade

When smoke is clear

Letting go 

Of want of what's only 

part of whole

I'll take strength 

from transcendence of wholesome Truth -

From ashes 

Splashes of new life do spring

Sure as from winter unravels the Spring

As Holi dusks in

I'll be content 

To find my haven in

soothe of the White.

Spell of the Name

All questions dissolve

As I sip elixir of your Name

Sitting in love

I set free

Every molecule

Disintegrates off self to soak

Sweetness of litany's shake

Thirsting for more

I call

Come Shaykh

Recite verse to initiate

My soul is ready to transform.

I love You Allah

For the nutre, respite

Tender healing care

I have received

From Your Grace.

Keep me close

Keep me safe 

Keep me warm

For all I have 

All I seek

All I want

Lies within circle 

Of Your embrace.

جسم شکستہ ہے 

روح کو ہے طاب 

--ہو تمہاری عطا رب 

مجھے شمس کی ہے تلاش 

At the Sun-door

Ananda Kentish Coomaraswamy (1887-1947) wrote: "When the deceased reaches the Sundoor, the question is asked, 'Who art thou?'"

I've come to Sun-door
and the old man with beard
with severity
asks with stamp of staff on ground:
"Who are you?"
I smile and bow
kneel down with humility
then say:
I'm one who was taught
to see
truth of love
that's there to stay
can only belong to Divinity
all that came my way
couldn't be labelled as chance or serendipity,
when storms raged across
my dry desert land
I stood up, peered through
tipping on toes to scan
I saw
all that blew my way
to consume, devour
from vice turned to virtuous
unconditional and undemanding - His love
alone stood by me
so here bear witness man
that I see today
with crystal clarity -
I'm His
captive in love
signing off bond of unquestioning servility
I am ready
to be ripped apart
torn gladly to bits
when summoned forth
I will gladly serve
Him and His, for all that is He.

I love You Allah.

محبّت خلق دے کرجرم شرک کا الزام دھرتے ہو 

فناے عشق میں اپنی بقا کا پیغام بھرتے ہو؟

تمہاری ہر عدا  ہر  فیصلہ منظور ہے خالق

جو میرے ساتھ  شفاے معشوق کا  بھی انتظام کرتے ہو

Cook me slow

Keep heat low
cook me on slow
tender as I am,
even though still raw
I'll be done -
just right
give me a wee bit
more time.

जागते रहो की गुहार 

लगा रहा मन का पहरेदार

जो चूक हुई इस बार 

लग्ज़िश, ठठकी, चौकस भटकी 

इक पल झपकी 

तो प्रिये 

रहना प्यासी इसी  पार!

Reborn

I was asleep
when You shook me wake
rocking, raking through and through
to see the Light
and at dawn begin to
know the call of Truth;
with Reality check
shadows started to flee
illusions faded
leaving eyes on clear
vision reached out to see
I felt then hearing strain
to listen and to heed
what purpose You
raiseth one and all
with rebirth
life began for me.

Knock not here

Who are you calling for?

No need to knock 

upon this door

for person you seek to speak

lives no longer here.

She's left
this home to reside far 

maybe in heavenly abode

Or gone to hell

for all I care;

I killed her

choking with my very hand

put her to rest in safe ground

I'm worn out now

have just returned 

with flowers to lay 

as wreath 

her grave's next door

I can put your name 

to it too, if you say

to make peace,

bless the wretched soul

here write, some scribble

to say 'bye and 'bye
on post-it  

I've glued 
by door beside 
to say:

Sabina that lived

lives here no more

apologies all if any miss 

she was sorry misfit 

in my world and your

she deserved not to stay.

She really had to go.

Take away your shadow -

don't dare cast

web of your thoughts 

on me anymore,

especially since in value

you care not in least

to join hands

preserve trust in light of Truth. 

Yes leave me alone

you do not belong 

between Him and me

I will crawl
I will scramble

From dark I'll drag
self out of hole

make every molecule
every particle strive

in attempt

at the very least 

to make Him see

among 7 billion 

me and my broken bowl

extends to Him alone

to receive anoint

for healing of 
my fractured soul.

Did I ask more

Than You desire

For me?

It's alright 

I with humility

recognise -

The infinite wisdom

Of Your decree.

Lead - I can't see the path

When did I ever pretend

That I am strong?

I am weaker than the blade

Of that grass

so easily trampled upon

And it twists, turns

This way and that 

Whichever direction wind blows on

I live so easily to die

In ignorant extinction

In every living moment

I am on verge

To sin and do wrong

So let there be no doubt

About that what I ask

In every prayer
that's a call upon You,

I say -

I need to be led

Not just shown the way...
Lead - I can't see the path.

Apology

Let me say

in repentance

that I err again and again

to unreasonably expect

my love to be returned

in reciprocation.

For what's given back

isn't mine, nor his or her 

for that matter

I am alone in choice 

to love those around

fill self as vessel
receive what's so exquisitely Divine
then that which comes my way 

through one heart or another

is mere reflection

of whats been bestowed 

of You they do distribute
what feels right
and is theirs to give
why bother then 
becomes mine?

Its Your gift

that I've received  

Whether in hurt or spurn

it comes sealed with Your kiss

handed through him or her

its couriered to my humble place
what choice have I 

but to accept
take it with grace
even if it's despise 

left alone to hand?

With this realization 
what cometh now

I receive with somber bow
no solace sought

there's no complaint

no question there 
to ask.

Did I ask for more

Than You desire

For me?

It's alright 

I do recognise

It's always

Wisdom that decides

Your decree.

Obituary

Tumhare daste karam ki qudrat

Isme Rabb se shifa mil gayi

Jo baat Hubbe Ali

Se ho shuroo, phir

Kalma-e- La ilaha tak gayi

Sirf shia thi main ab talak

Lo Sufi bhi Sabina ban gayi!

Khul ja Sim Sim

I said I'd been 

Waiting to be answered

trying hard

To be let in

Through the Door;

Woe - said the other

When was it ever closed?

He kept calling

Do come in,

And heedlessly 

There you stood

Went on knocking 

At the open door!

Take away the rainbow

Last night

A deluge of tears

Washed away all trace

Of pink, violet and red

Yellow and green

Don't seem to matter too

All that my heart 

Asks for now

Is from colours

Of blue and white

In You.

Unveiled

Hey hey hey

Sufi's talking 

of esoteric nature of veil

Its there to hide yet reveal

says he:

beauty is hidden

to let lover seek

true essence of form

and, ahaa thinks me

so is that why this game 

of hide and seek?

It sets out an eternal theme,

mortal - no wonder

is irresistibly drawn

to reach out
remove cover to meet

the Divine within
alluring veil of matter! 

Divine Alchemy

I expand

I constrict

Resist and desist 

Slapped and smacked

Then lulled by gentle Hand

Through turbulence 

I discover peace

Oh how exquisite

Is with Your name cast

Alchemy of a soul. 

Seek and you shall find

As I look around

In this jungle

With a maze of many a well-trod track

Running this way and that

With agonised gaze

I crumble,

Which direction should I take

Should I give up

Or continue to walk

How do I muster strength to take

Yet another step

That'll bring me closer to God?

A promise then appears

In consciousness I hear

A whisper form

Another story of success gets told

As if to subtly say:

Don't despair

Come on walk

It's writ clear on planetary scroll -

Seek and you'll find.