"Be It a Stone or A Drop of Blood, All Things Have the Same Soul"

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 12 February 2024 While reading my favourite Turkish poet Nazim Hikmet, I stumbled upon a profound thought that immediately reminded me of Allama Iqbal's famous couplet in Urdu. Both the greats conveyed a sublime and seminal message in their own inimitable way. Nazim wrote, " Be it a stone or a drop of blood, all things have the same soul." Iqbal said, “Haqeeqat Ek Hai Har Shai Ki Khaaki Ho Ya Noori / Lahoo Khursheed Ka Tapke Agar Zarre Ka Dil Cheerein" (The reality of every object is the same, whether worldly or celestial / The blood of the sun will ooze out if the heart of a particle is vivisected). This is indeed uncanny as to how two evolved minds think in a similar and synchronized manner without ever meeting each other. Nazim Hikmet and Iqbal's thoughts encapsulate a profound understanding of the interconnectedness of all beings and entities in the universe. It reminds us that regardless of our apparent differences, we are all bound together by the essence of existence. These thoughts compel us to recognize the inherent value and dignity in everything that surrounds us, from the simplest pebble on the ground to the most complex living organism. By embracing this perspective, we can cultivate empathy, compassion, and a deep appreciation for the intrinsic beauty that resides within the seemingly ordinary. Ultimately, the words of the two greats invite us to perceive the world through a lens of unity and to honour the intricate tapestry of life that encompasses us all. Humans, plagued by differences, distinctions, divisions and discrimination, must come together and treat each other as fellow humans without all mundane concerns and considerations of caste, class, creed, colour, country, contours, culture, civilization and continent/s. These words exhort us to go beyond mere respect for humanity and enable us to relate to all that we come across in our life's journey. Turkish poet and mystic Yunus Emre would say, "When I find a stone on the road, I don't kick it away. I lift it and place it somewhere else. I cannot show disrespect even to a stone, for, it has its own level of consciousness and I must respect that." This is the zenith of empathy, full-flowering of consciousness and a perfect manifestation of a conscientious heart. We're perpetually in a state of strife, unhappiness and agitation because of our perceived differences and superiority/inferiority complexes. But if we learn to see people of all hues as our equals, all creatures as our extensions and all living and non-living objects as our offshoots, there'll be no dichotomy and we'll be one. I'm an audaciously optimistic person and I believe that eventually a day will come, though none of us will be able to witness in our lifetime, when ALL humans will call themselves just humans and not as Sanatanis, Christians, Sunnis, Methodists, Indians, whites, blacks, Brits and all that jazz. Do I sound too impractical? Maybe not. ---- 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/stone-blood-soul-turkish/d/131697 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