There's Much More to Ahmad Faraz's Poetry Than What Meets the Eye

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 25 August 2023 "Tum Takalluf Ko Bhi Ikhlaas Samajhte Ho ' Faraz' Dost Hota Nahin Har Haath Milane Wala " (Faraz, you mistake formality for intimacy/ Not all those who shake hands with you, are friends) Ahmad 'Faraz' ----- Those dilettantes who call Urdu poet Ahmad 'Faraz' a poet of Firaq-o-Visaal (separation and union) must read this deeply philosophical couplet and mull over its profundity. By the way, today's the 15th Death Anniversary of the great poet who's equally loved by the readers of both Pakistan and India. Though the legendary 'Faraz' is loved and adored by the lovers of Urdu poetry, his image as a poet of 'Shayar-e-Furqat' (a poet of separation) is still pretty overwhelming. It must change. 'Faraz' also wrote very philosophical couplets. Read this, "Zabaan Jis Shakhs Ki Shireen Ho/ Dil Bhi Shireen Ho, Ye Zaroori Nahin" (A sweet tongue is no guarantee of an equally sweet heart). If you minutely study both the couplets, you'll realize that 'Faraz' was a keen observer of human nature. Deceived by a few close friends, 'Faraz' got disillusioned with all sorts of relationships. But that didn't make him sulky or fretful. "Har Tajurbe Ko Sabaq Samajh Kar Uss Ka Ahtiraam Kiya Maine" (I took every experience as a lesson and respected it). ' Faraz ' believed that humans were very complex. He'd often quote his friend and Urdu poet Nida Fazli's famous couplet, "Har Aadmi Mein Hote Hain Das-Bees Aadmi / Jis Ko Bhi Dekhna Ho Kai Baar Dekhna" (Every man comprises quite a few individuals/ Look at every man a number of times to reach a definite conclusion). Compare this with Salman Rushdie's famous quote, " To know a person one has to swallow the whole world." ' Faraz' had a very cryptic understanding of humans, " Ek Aazmaish Hai Logon Se Milna Bh" (Meeting people is no less than an ordeal). A positive sense of disillusionment coupled with a slight exasperation made ' Faraz' a truly great poet. He had that thing, 'Kuchh Na Kuchh Zehan Mein Naarazgi Rahe' in his poetic persona. He was well aware of the nugatory nature of all relations and associations. "Kaun Aakhir Tak Saath Deta Hai ' Faraz'/ Log Toh Janaze Mein Bhi Kaandhe Badalte Hain" (Who remains with you till the end?/ People change shoulders even while carrying the bier). That apart, 'Faraz' was very prophetic in his poetry and would often quote the famous Persian adage, " Sukhanvari Payambari Ast " (Poetry is Prophethood). By the way, he had Master's degrees in Urdu and Persian from Peshawar University. I spoke to him in Persian when I met him in London. Coming back to his prophetic poetry, who can forget those immortal lines, "Aaj Hum Daar Pe Khainche Gaye Jin Baaton Pe/ Kya Ajab Kal Woh Zamane Ko Nisabon Mein Milein" (The things I'm being excoriated for today/ Tomorrow, you might get to see them in textbooks). There's much more to Ahmad Faraz's poetry than what meets the eye. Take a bow, 'Faraz' Saheb. I consider myself fortunate to have met him a couple of times. ---- 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/islamic-personalities/ahmad-faraz-poetry/d/130520 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