Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai

Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai (1689?1752) (Sindhi: ??? ???????? ??????, Urdu: ??? ????????? ??????) is probably the most respected Sufi Saint of Sindh. He was a great peot and scholar of sufism. He taught his devotes way of life and a the core philosophy of Sufism “Search of God” He had said a complete book of verses which are divided into different chapters known as Surs or Melodies.

All of the chapters are composed around a legend that was famous in those times and verses are either word said by the characters or advises and notes from the poet.

Shah Abdul Latif settled in the town of Bhit Shah near Hala & Matiari, Pakistan where his shrine is located. The major themes of his poetry include Unity of God, love for Prophet, religious tolerance and humanistic values.

Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai was born in 1689 in Hala Haveli’s village Sui-Qandar located near Hyderabad, Pakistan. Shah Abdul Latif was son of Syed Habibullah and grandson of Syed Abdul Quddus Shah

Some Selections from his poetry translated into English by Late Madam Elsa Qazi Wife of Alama I.I. Qazi

Sur Kalyan is usually sang in the early mornings and is very soothing. It basically praises God and describes the qualities of God. The Word Kalyan may also be referred to as (Peace)

Verse 1

The One Creator, the all greats;
Lord of the universe-
The living, the original;
Ruler with power innate;
The giver, the sustainer,
the unique , compassionate;
This master praise, to Him alone
thyself in praise prostrate..
The generous, who does create
the universe in pairs..

Verse 2

None shares His glory, “He was..is,
shall be”..who this doth say
Accepts Mohammad as ‘guide’
with heart and love’s true sway;
None from amongst those lost their way
or ever went astray.

Verse 3

“He is without a partner” , when
this glorious news you break-
With love and knowledge, Mohammad
accept ..as cause him take
Why would you then obeisance make
to others after that?

Verse 4

From One, many to being came;
‘many’ but Oneness is;
Don’t get confounded, Reality
is ‘One’ , this truth don’t miss-
Commotions vast diplay- all this
I vow, of Loved-one is.

Verse 5

The Echo and the call are same,
if you sound’s secret knew-
They both were one, but two became
only when ‘hearing’ came.

Kalyan Yaman-II
(Path to peace)

1

Thou art the friend; the healer thou;
For every pain the remedy–
Cure for my herat, thy voice alone
the only cure it is for me……
The reason why I call for thee
is none can cure my heart but thou.

2

Thou art the friend, the Healer thuo
for every ailment balm dost send;
Merciful God–all druge are vain;
the pains by drugs will never end;
Unless ordered by thee O friend,
no drug will ever sickness cure.

3

Thou art the friend, the Healer thou;
for sufferings thou the remedy;
Thou givest; curtest disease, dost guide,
master thou art eternally–
Yet, I am wonderstruck to see
that you physicians still provide.

4

Sttike friend– thy hand raise,favour me–
hold not your hand, and should I die
By such death I shall honoured be
which through this wound is caused.

Khambat-III
(Haven)

I

1

A moolit night, an open plain,
and so for yet to go;
My camel look not back, for you
‘t is shame to waver so;
Be steady, resolute, and show
my loved-ones you can reach

2

O full moon! though you rise adorned,
your beauty to enhance;
You are not a blink worth of my love
With all charms you advance,
Since your whole being but one glance
of the Beloved is.

3

A hundred suns may rise, and blaze
four score-four moons may shine;
I vow, without Beloved mine
I am in darkest night

4

O moon, by magic fade away;
may you be shorn of light-
Or hide yourself so that I might
the soul’s Beloved meet.

Sorath-IV
(King and Minstrel)

I

1

The minstrel came to Junagarh
and here took out his lyre;
With his entrancing melodies
he did all hearts inspire;
With his bewitching magic-strings
he set whole town on fire-
But palace-servants, princesses,
were struck with anguish dire;
“That Raja’s head was bard’s desire,
lute spoke in accents clear.”

2

The bard at though a living string
played with humility;
The Raja in his palace fine,
to hear him did agree;
He mercifully called him in,
and met him graciously-
Then prince and bard, one harmony,
one single ‘self’ became!

3

“I travelled many foreign lands,
and have arrived today;
Poor minstrel I, no tresures crave
but for your life I pray-
To win this favour, let me play,
Oh Sir, the time is short.-”

4

“Leaving all other doors, O king
I wandered to your door!
Blest Sorth’s husband, see my need
a beggar doth implore,
His empty apron fill once more
and happiness restore!”

Asa-V
(Hope)

I

1

In Infinitude I ross,
O guide no bound perceive mine eyes
Tortuous beauty of the Loved,
Has no limit, has no size-
Here intensive longing lies,
There the Loved-ones do not care!

2

Cursed be duality, Beloved,
From ‘Self’ do shelter me-
O, hold the ‘I’ near thee,
But thou canst reach ‘thyself’, O master.

3

But thou canst reach ‘thyself’ master;
Nothing but Beauty is;
O doubter, couldst thou doubt dismiss,
There’s no Idea then left.-

4

Beloved, hold the ‘I’ near thee;
All self concern I’ve cast from me;
Protector mine, with duality
I wasted far too many days!