Jigar Moradabadi: A Poet Of Muhabbat-o-Sadaqat

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 8 September 2023 Dil Ko Sukoon Rooh Ko Aaraam Aa Gaya Maut Aa Gayee Ke Dost Ka Paighaam Aa Gaya (Solace to the heart and satisfaction to the soul/ With death, comes the message of the 'friend'). Jigar Moradabadi: self-portrait of | Shola-e-Toor, and Wikimedia Commons. ------ The serious readers of Urdu poetry, who have read Jigar Moradabadi's oeuvre, will invariably quote the aforementioned couplet of Jigar to repudiate the general tenor that Jigar didn't write serious poetry and dabbled too much in the antics of a beloved. This is an erroneous perception. The same Jigar also wrote so philosophically, "Allah Agar Taufeeq Na De Insaan Ke Bas Ka Kaam Nahin / Faizan-E-Muhabbat Aam Sahi, Irfaan-E-Muhabbat Aam Nahin" (Unless Allah bestows upon humans the rare ability to discern in love, they (humans) are incapable of distinguishing between the grace of love and the realization of it). Or, can we ever forget his oft-quoted couplet that subtly criticises politics and its practitioners: Un Ka Jo Farz Hai Woh Ahle-Siyasat Jaanein/ Mera Paighaam Muhabbat Hai Jahan Tak Pahunche (Politicians know what they're good at/ My message is love and I disseminate it far and wide). When the First Commandant of NDA, Maj General Enaith Habibullah invited Jigar Moradabadi to preside over a Mushaira at NDA, Poona, in the fifties, a reporter of an Urdu daily asked Jigar, "Aap Muhabbat Par Itna Kyon Likhte Hain? " (Why do you write so much on love?). Jigar said, "Mujhe Har Soo Ulfat Dikhti Hai. Isliye Main Iss Par Likhta Hoon. Jo Aapki Tarah Ishq Se Mahroom Rah Gaye, Ve Aise Sawalaat Karte Hain" (I see love in all directions. So, I write on it. Those who've been deprived of it, like you, ask such questions). Urdu poet Justice Anand Narayan Mullah would always say, "Jigar Ne Muhabbat Se Muhabbat Ki" (Jigar loved love). Sharaab and Shabaab remained his poetic companions till the end. He himself wrote, "Sab Ko Maara Jigar Ke Sheron Ne/ Aur Jigar Ko Sharaab Ne Maara" (The couplets of Jigar floored all but wine flattened Jigar). Pakistani Urdu critic Raees Ahmad 'Baalikh' was of the opinion that somewhere Jigar had a complex about his lack of education and also not having an attractive appearance. That complex resulted in his heavy drinking. He always felt that his coevals 'Firaq', Yaas Yagana Changezi, Fani Badayuni and Asghar Gondvi were better than him. But Faiz Ahmad Faiz regarded Jigar Moradabadi as a master craftsman in his field. "Meri Shayari Mein Mukhtalif Pahloo Na Sahi/ Ek Hi Mudde Pe Maine Apni Baat Kahi/ Ilm Hai Mujhe Apni Hadon Ka/ Chhoot Gaye Hayaat Ke Pahloo Kai" (My poetry doesn't have many aspects/ I focused only on one facet/ I know my limitations/ So many dimensions of life left unattended). This disarming honesty distinguishes Jigar from other poets. He was a poet of Muhabbat-o-Sadaqat (love and truthfulness). Accepting one's limitations, makes one unlimited in his vision. ---- 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/jigar-moradabadi-poet-muhabbat-sadaqat/d/130632 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