Omar
01-04-2004, 02:41 PM
I just had some time to research and read on this great poet. Please add any of his poems/works that you may feel!
Abdur Rahman Baba
At the dawn of seventeenth century, at the age of invasions from the West by Persians and East by Moghols, a the time when Afghans were in the mist of war in every corner of the nation, a the time when education was the last thing in peoples' mind, a legend was born.
In the high hills of the Afghan nation, in the provincial area of Mohmand, a child was born, by the name of Abdul Rahman. Abdul Rahman would become one of the greatest poet in the history of the Pashto literature. Abdul Rahman was a man of character and great charisma. As a child, he loved to study and always occupied himself in getting a good education, no matter what it took. He spent much time and effort trying to teach himself.
At a young age, he started studying and reading poetry and became fond of it. He had a gift, poetry, which he would not realize, until later in his life. As he grew older, he started having doubts upon what he was doing, which was studying and writing poetry. He felt lost and not sure about what he was writing, why he was writing and to whom he was writing. Because of this, he entirely abandoned material needs of this world and gave himself to the mercy of God.
The spiritual aspect of God's presents upon him, made him understand that the true way of life was through his religion, Islam. Living a life in solitude, he did not want anyone bothering him when he prayed to God. He had a unique and creative way of praying to God through the gift he had, poetry. He had a deep passion for God, which resulted in writing numerous poems in His honor. Through the understanding of his religion, he wrote magnificent poems, which made him famous in a short period of time.
People admired his work, from Afghanistan to Central Asia to the Indian Subcontinent. Religious scholars found the real meaning of life in his poems. National and political leaders used his poetry for independent uprisings. Musicians used his poetry in their songs. Soon everyone wanted his books, be it for political, religious or other interests and desires. Due to his popularity, Afghans gave him an honorable name "Baba" (Grand father of the nation).
One of the great religious scholar of Suwat(A city in current Pakistan), Suwat Saheeb, said:
"If any other then, the book of God, was permissible for prayer, I would have defiantly chosen Rahman's book."
Rahman Baba published two books from his collections of poetry, which were distributed all over the Afghan nation. Soon his work became a model for new poets, and as a result, many people started learning his way and his direction. A school of poetry was built in his honor and many people came to study in this schools. The Founding Father of Afghanistan, Ahmad Shah Baba, was one of the students of his school of poetry.
Rahman Baba has written difficult poetry in such a unique way that one can immediately grasp the meaning. He has put comprehensive subject into a very layman term. Rahman Baba wanted to teach Afghans and, through Afghans, the whole world the real meaning of life through the lo ve and magnificence of God. He fought against humans' greediness and mischief and promptly explains this devilish worship in most of his poems.
Rahman Baba's poetry is still a great value to Pashto literature and still there are numerous student of his structure today. His fans and students of his school come to his grave side in Peshawar ( N.W.F.P) to remember him on his birth date each year. Poets from all over come to honor him in this special occasion by reciting poems and speeches on his honor, and this will continue for ages.
Abdur Rahman Baba
At the dawn of seventeenth century, at the age of invasions from the West by Persians and East by Moghols, a the time when Afghans were in the mist of war in every corner of the nation, a the time when education was the last thing in peoples' mind, a legend was born.
In the high hills of the Afghan nation, in the provincial area of Mohmand, a child was born, by the name of Abdul Rahman. Abdul Rahman would become one of the greatest poet in the history of the Pashto literature. Abdul Rahman was a man of character and great charisma. As a child, he loved to study and always occupied himself in getting a good education, no matter what it took. He spent much time and effort trying to teach himself.
At a young age, he started studying and reading poetry and became fond of it. He had a gift, poetry, which he would not realize, until later in his life. As he grew older, he started having doubts upon what he was doing, which was studying and writing poetry. He felt lost and not sure about what he was writing, why he was writing and to whom he was writing. Because of this, he entirely abandoned material needs of this world and gave himself to the mercy of God.
The spiritual aspect of God's presents upon him, made him understand that the true way of life was through his religion, Islam. Living a life in solitude, he did not want anyone bothering him when he prayed to God. He had a unique and creative way of praying to God through the gift he had, poetry. He had a deep passion for God, which resulted in writing numerous poems in His honor. Through the understanding of his religion, he wrote magnificent poems, which made him famous in a short period of time.
People admired his work, from Afghanistan to Central Asia to the Indian Subcontinent. Religious scholars found the real meaning of life in his poems. National and political leaders used his poetry for independent uprisings. Musicians used his poetry in their songs. Soon everyone wanted his books, be it for political, religious or other interests and desires. Due to his popularity, Afghans gave him an honorable name "Baba" (Grand father of the nation).
One of the great religious scholar of Suwat(A city in current Pakistan), Suwat Saheeb, said:
"If any other then, the book of God, was permissible for prayer, I would have defiantly chosen Rahman's book."
Rahman Baba published two books from his collections of poetry, which were distributed all over the Afghan nation. Soon his work became a model for new poets, and as a result, many people started learning his way and his direction. A school of poetry was built in his honor and many people came to study in this schools. The Founding Father of Afghanistan, Ahmad Shah Baba, was one of the students of his school of poetry.
Rahman Baba has written difficult poetry in such a unique way that one can immediately grasp the meaning. He has put comprehensive subject into a very layman term. Rahman Baba wanted to teach Afghans and, through Afghans, the whole world the real meaning of life through the lo ve and magnificence of God. He fought against humans' greediness and mischief and promptly explains this devilish worship in most of his poems.
Rahman Baba's poetry is still a great value to Pashto literature and still there are numerous student of his structure today. His fans and students of his school come to his grave side in Peshawar ( N.W.F.P) to remember him on his birth date each year. Poets from all over come to honor him in this special occasion by reciting poems and speeches on his honor, and this will continue for ages.