Capturing the wisdom of modern mystic

Islamabad

When the believer’s light of joy goes out, the unbeliever’s home is lit up with ceremonial lamps. What will he, who has no light in his heart, gain from a festival of lamps?

Such enlightened messages of mysticism from Wasif Ali Wasif is the only remedy to contemporary challenges facing us today and Ejazul Haque’s book ‘Farmaish’ captures the true spirit and wisdom of this modern mystic of contemporary times.

National Language Authority Chairman Iftikhar Arif said this while sharing his views at the launching ceremony of a book titled ‘Farmaish’ under the auspices of National Book Foundation here on Thursday.

Professor Fateh Mohammad Malik presided over the launching ceremony attended by a significant number of intellectuals and literati from the twin metropolis. Ahmad Javed was the keynote speaker, while the author Ejazul Haque was also present to share his experience and read out extracts from the book. Hamid Qaiser of NBF and other participants also put in their views later in a dialogue.

The book compiled by Ejazul Haque, is a tribute by a disciple to commemorate the memory and wisdom of Wasif Ali Wasif. Based on reminiscence of his life and mystic thoughts, the book is a collection of anecdotes from his life and also his great words of wisdom and speeches from time to time. If anyone has not studied Wasif Ali Wasif, after reading this book, one is sure to search for every book written by Wasif Ali for his thought provoking ideas and simple yet but very unfathomable words.

Professor Fateh Mohammad Malik said that in these conflicting times, Sufi thoughts needs to be promoted, as beacon of light in dark hours. He described the book, as a unique contribution of the author for collecting the words of wisdom of Wasif Ali Wasif, who enjoyed great respect for his contemplative wisdom and people used to gather around him to listen to his speeches. He said that Wasif Ali Wasif has left as a product of

his mind a treasure invaluable of the wisdom of the real Islamic spirit and ideology in his books.

Iftikhar Arif said that apart from being a poet and columnist, Wasif Ali Wasif was also a unique follower of mysticism, which represents the true Islamic spirit and ideology that is reflected in his own words ‘Islam is not the name given to the body of Muslim knowledge, but to the pattern of Muslim behaviour. In other words, Islam is not something to be talked but something to be done’.

Iftikhar Arif said that the book is a tribute of a disciple, as the author Ejaz has collected Wasif Ali’s biography, his sayings, and reminiscences of his close interactions with his followers.

Iftikhar Arif said that for words like ‘Wasif mujhe azal se mili manzile awvad, har daur pe muhit hoon jis zawiye mey hoon’ he was revered for his unique literary style. “Wasif Ali used to write short pieces of prose on spiritual aspect touching topics like life, fear, expectations, and happiness,” he said and added in his life time, most of his columns were combined to form books with his own selected title. Probably no contemporary Urdu writer is more cited in quotations than Wasif Ali Wasif.

In later years, he was known to answer questions in specially arranged gatherings at Lahore attended by the notable community.

Some of these sessions were recorded in audio and were later published as ‘Guftagu’ talk series. Wasif Ali Wasif has over 30 books to his credit and his thought was more on mysticism, spirituality and humanity.

Born in Khushab back in 1929, Wasif Ali Wasif received his primary education under the supervision of his father in Khushab, and graduated with distinction from his maternal place Jhang.

Moving to Lahore, he obtained degree of MSc in Mathematics from Government Islamia College, and Masters in English from Government College, Lahore. This world has seen many great essayists, but the essays of Wasif have their own distinctive quality that could be easily differentiated from the works of other stalwarts. Wasif had written four books in Urdu prose titled ‘Dil Darya Samundar’, ‘Kiran Kiran Suraj’, ‘Qatra Qatra Qulzum’, and ‘Harf Harf Haqiqat’. All these are wonderful works having a touch of mysticism, and judging from the merit of these works, it will not be a miss to say that these works could be placed in the line of great Islamic mystic writers of the past.

Wasif Ali Wasif died on January 18, 1993. Being famous for Sufism and respected by many people, he is usually referred to as Hazrat Wasif Ali Wasif. His shrine is located in Lahore near Chauburjee, where his ‘urs’ is celebrated every year from 22nd to 24th of the month of Rajab.