Hazrat Mir Muhammad Ismail (ra) — Page 77
77 Ḥaḍrat Mi r Ismail Sahib ra has , very generously employed the use of metaphorical expression in his mystical poetry. And by doing so, he has made the otherwise intricate themes of Mysticism, more comprehensible. The fact is that matters which pertain to the spiritual realm are as concepts, always intellectually challenging, subtle and sublime. The concepts and phenomena of the material world, in contrast, are far more tangible and superficial. Thus, by using the right similitude and allegory, it becomes relatively eas ier to explain spiritual phenomena. Jesus too, as we all know, spoke in parables. Expressions such as "face", "locks", "abode", in relation to God, are used only in order to get the point across to the reader. The use of such terms, obviously, does not imp ly that God has a physical form. The following lines, written in the remembrance of God, are a beautiful example of his mystical poetry : I recall those days when You reveal ed Your face, Remove d the veil of Your locks covering Your face. You would come o ver, or would have me over Or would let me behold You in the balcony, from afar. Never have I returned from Your door unblessed, As I called out , "Lord! Lord!" By casting at my wretched state, a glance, M y hopes would You enhance. Bitterness, moans, and he art ache s are A panacea offered to thos e a fflicted with love. F riends and rivals both, were moved to tears, As I wailed at the doorsteps of Your abode. - [ Bukhār - e - Dil ]