Is Human Existence an Accidental Phenomenon: Firdausi's Lamentation

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 4 May 2023 On the wall of my small pad inscribed are the immortal words of Abul Qasem Firdausi in Persian. Here's the English translation of his lamentation: “I turn to right and left in all the earth. I see no signs of justice, sense or worth: A man does evil deeds and all his days are filled with luck and universal praise. Another is good in all he does- he dies a wretched, broken man whom all despise." So poignantly true! There's no answer to Firdausi's bewilderment in any religion, faux spirituality and abstruse metaphysics: Why does ill-fate befall those who're inherently good and how come all scum of the earth enjoy life to the hilt and nothing untoward happens to them? The great Firdausi, known to be an Aghnaan (an early modern Persian word for a compassionate soul: Ain/Ghain/Noon/Alif/Noon) in Persian folklore, himself remained at the receiving end throughout his life. He wrote 'Shahnama', one of the greatest and longest epics in the annals of world literature which has 60,000 couplets and spent 35 years in writing the great epic. Yet, his patron, Sultan Mahmoud of Ghaznavi, didn't suitably remunerate the legendary poet despite his promise. Firdausi died in abject penury, wondering why bad luck always assails the good humans. It's said that he turned a heretic or an apostate and stopped offering Namaz towards the fag-end of his life. But that's inconsequential. What intrigues all thinking people is: Why this happens. Eastern religions, believing in reincarnation, has a semblance of explanation that it's Gaye Janm Ka Paap/Punya (the good/bad deeds of the past life). While it doesn't hold water, Semitic faiths, not believing in the concept of rebirth and soul, are all at sea while explaining this phenomenon and unfair 'divine' justice. Nor does the Theory of Karma of the oriental religions explain this baffling anomaly. Why do good people suffer, remains an unsolved mystery and unexplained enigma. Is human existence an accidental phenomenon-Faqat Ik Saaneha ? Firdausi asked this just before his death and his poor but self-respecting daughter had no answer. By the way, Sultan Mahmoud finally sent him 60,000 gold coins when he realized his mistake. Alas, it was too late. Firdausi's Janaza was being taken out when Sultan's man arrived at Firdausi's doorstep with the gold coins! Josh Malihabadi, summed it up so beautifully, “Zindagi Thi Aur Zameen Ki Mustaqil Paabosiyaan Ab Meri Turbat Pe Jhukne Aasmaan Aaya Toh Kya Jangalon Mein Jo Musafir Sar Patak Ke Mar Gaya Ab Use Aawaaz Deta Kaarvaan Aaya Toh Kya " I've not translated it lest my poor English should spoil the essence of Josh's immortal quatrain in Urdu. I shall appreciate if any reader has an explanation, even plausible or specious, to this eternal conundrum. ----- A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. URL: https://newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/human-existence-accidental-phenomenon-firdausi/d/129698 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism