Raza Rumi discusses a new book on Sufism by Sadia Dehlvi
Khushwant Singh had to leave early from the book launch, so he made a speech that was full of his classic witticisms. Declaring that he was free from God in his mental landscape, he had started to believe in miracles, and the biggest miracle was Sadia writing her book
All Sufis believe that both affliction and bounties are the blessings of God. Something stirred Sadia Dehlvi's soul and she began to see herself as blessed rather than cursed by God. It changed her relationship with Him from one of animosity to one of friendship and love
Getting a visa to India is a nightmare for ordinary mortals. My application was not very politely returned last month with technical objections. It was only when a letter from Harper Collins arrived that the High Commission rather efficaciously allowed me to enter enemy territory, that too with special instructions that cantonments were out of bounds. I guess the South Asian officialdoms have yet to discover that Google Earth has permanently altered the shape of boundaries and secrecy.
I had to plan this rushed sojourn to attend the launch ceremony of Sadia Dehlvi's book that has now hit the Indian bookshops with a bang and will soon be found in Pakistan. Sufism – the Heart of Islam is the culmination of Sadia's journey of self discovery, and to use Bulleh Shah's metaphor, entree into the inner temples of the heart. This was no ordinary launch, as I have been a literary companion in this path that Sadia has taken – right from the conception of the book, its shifting hues and drafts, the magnificent illustrations and poetry translations, and of course its final shape. I had almost given up the idea of being present at the launch in the face of visa hurdles. I think the gods intervened, or as I told Sadia our beloved saints – Khwaja Gharib Nawaz of Ajmer and Nizamuddin Auliya of Dilli – allowed it to happen. The launch brought together a host of other friends who have been involved in giving various stirs to this book-brew.
http://newageislam.com/sufi-hearts-in-delhi--/islam-and-spiritualism/d/1485
No comments:
Post a Comment