DIALOGUE BETWEEN SHARIA AND ISHQ ---(KALAM OF BABA BULLEH SHAH)

 

A DIALOGUE BETWEEN SHARIA AND ISHQ ---(KALAM OF BABA BULLEH SHAH)

(Text is taken from “GREAT SUFI POETS OF PANJAB” of RM Chopra, published by Iran Society Calcutta)

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Generally, there is a difference of opinion between the religious dogmatists who show allegiance to Sharia or ritualism defined by the clerics or the priestly class compared to the Ishq’s doctrine pursued by the Sufis. The traditional society likes to follow the Sharia due to ancestral influence, faith, and worldly fame. Sufis silently and anonymously adhere to the Love and grace of their Master or Murshid. Baba Bulleh Shah, who was Murid of the Baba Shah Inayat Qadiri Shatari (1643-1728 AD)  very openly, fondly, and vigorously advocates his preference for Love or Ishq for the Lord with the grace of his Yaar or Murshid instead of urgings of Sharia.

1. इश्क शरा दा झगड़ा पै गया, दिल दा भरम मिटावा मैं,

सवाल शरा दे जावाब इश्क दे हज़रत आख़ सुनावाँ मैं ॥

 

There is a perpetual conflict between the Divine Love and the Religious code in all human beings. Such delusive reservations I, (Baba Bulle Shah) shall attempt to put an end to.

 

2. शरा कहे चल पास मुल्ला दे, सिख लै अदब अदाबूँ नू,  

इश्क कहे इके हरफ बतेरा थप रख होर किताबाँ नूँ॥

 

Religious laws suggest following the advice of the Mullah –the clerics—for the methodology of praying to the Lord. Love urges that the Word of “ One” is enough in preference to interpretative ideologies of holy scriptures 

 

 

3. शरा कहे कर पजं अशनानाँ अलग मन्दिर की पूजा रे,

इश्क कहे तेरी पूजा झूठी जे बन बैठाँ दूजा रे॥

 

Hindu religious laws dictate performing five baths at holy pilgrimages and worship in the temples. Ishq maintains all such devotion is futile if duality survives within the Murid.

 

 

4. शरा कहे कुज शर्म हया कर, बँद कर इस चमकारे नूँ

इश्क कहे ऐ घूँघट कैसा, खुलन दे नज़ारे नू॥

 

The “Sharia” shouts that such egoist exhibitionism is shameful. Ishq responds that the Truth need not be veiled and is to be revealed without any reservations.

 

 

5. शरा कहे चल मसजद अन्दर, हक्क नामाज़ अदा कर लै,

इश्क कहे चल मैख़ाने विच पी के शराब नफ़ल पढ़ लै॥

 

Religious code defines devotion in Masjid for the Namaz of Allah. On the contrary, Ishq believes in getting intoxicated in the Winehouse of Love and a devotee to Nafal  (supererogatory prayer).

 

 

6. शरा कहे चल बहिशत चलिये बहिशता दे मेवे खावाँगे,

इश्क कहे ओथे पैहरा साडा आप हथौं वरतावांगे॥

 

Sharia’s perception is that heavenly food can only be blessed in heaven. Ishq says that heaven is reserved for the lovers of the Lord, where He dispenses the grace.

 

7. शरा कहे चल हज्ज कर मोमन पुल सीरत लँगना रे,

इश्क कहे बुआ यार दा काबा उथों मूल ना हिलना रे॥

 

Law says go and perform Hajj at Mecca if you wish to cross Pul-Sirat ( Siratul Mustaquin)[1]. The door of the Murshid is the real Qaba, from where none should get distracted.

 

8. शरा कहे शाह मनसूर नूँ सूली उत्ते चाड़िया सी,

इश्क कहे तुसाँ चगाँ कीता बूहे यार दे वड़िया सी ॥

 

Sharia glorifies that Mansur -Al-Hallaj of “Anal-Haq realization” was put on the cross by the religious bigots. Ishq replies that was the only special verdict notified by you—for Mansur realized the Divinity by entering the Bargah of Allah.   

 

9. इश्क दा दरजा अरश मुअल्ला सरताज लौ लाकी रे,

इश्क विचौं पैदा कीता बुल्ला आजज़ ख़ाकी रे॥

 

Ishq is the pinnacle of the Lord’s glory—the path of realization of Muqame Haq (मुकमे हक). Out of His Love and from dust, He created this humble Bulleh

 

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[1] There are five obligatory daily prayers ( Namaz) in Islam. During every cycle of each prayer the following phrase is included:

 

Ihdinā ṣ-ṣirāṭa al-mustaqīm, Ṣirāṭa al-laḏīna anʿamta ʿalayhim ġayri l-maġḍūbi ʿalayhim walā ḍ-ḍāllīn

 

Show us the straight path, The path of those You bestowed favor upon, not anger upon, and not of those who go astray.This is part of the Surah Al-Fatiha.