Afsar Merathi: A Poet of Hope & Positivism

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 19 April 2024 One of the most beautiful as well as philosophical couplets in the annals of Urdu poetry is Afsar Merathi's "Hai Tere Liye Saara Jahan Husn Se Khaali/Khud Husn Agar Teri Nigaahon Mein Nahin Hai" (The whole world is devoid of beauty/ If beauty isn't within you). This has the echo of William Blake's statement that the world is a manifestation of your inner self.) Afsar Merathi breathed his last on April 19. ------ To appreciate beauty, one ought to have a beautiful heart- Jaisi Drishti, Vaisi Srishti. World is an extension of our own selves. Afsar wrote elsewhere, "Nazar-O-Zarf Ka Khel Hai Ye Saara/Jiska Jaisa Kirdaar Vaisi Duniya Nazar Aaye Use" (This is all about vision and inner self / One sees the world as per his character). It's said that this couplet came into existence when one of his students approached him with a request for Islah (Tarmeem/ corrections). The Shagird (student) wrote: Har Soo Dikhte Hain Khoon Ke Dhabbe / Insaan Bada Takhreebi Ho Chala Hai (Patches of blood are everywhere/ Humans have become violent). Afsar asked him to change his vision and perception and spontaneously said this Sher: Hai Tere Liye Saara Jahan Husn Se Khaali/ Khud Husn Agar Teri Nigaahon Mein Nahin Hai. The world needs Merathi's positivism. There's no getting away from the fact that the world has become violent and we're witnessing blood and gore everywhere. Yet, sanity can be retained and we must try to see whatever little beauty is still left in this terribly ravaged world. We must train our heart and mind to see the last vestiges of beauty and goodness. Every individual needs to nurture his/her immanent beauty, hidden in the crevices of every heart. Charity begins at home. If one individual finds beauty in the external world, others will also find the same because beauty, like goodness, is contagious. To quote Afsar to buttress his point, "Husn Agar Dil Mein Zinda Hai/ Hayaat Ko Jeene Ka Sabab Milta Hai (If beauty is alive in a heart/ Life gets an excuse to survive). Afsar's proclivity to find meanings in all circumstances makes him a poet of hope. It was his audacious belief even in autumn that made him say, "Hai, Woh Jis Ki Ummeedein Hon Khizaan Par Mauqoof/ Shaakh-E-Gul Sookh Ke Gir Jaaye Toh Kaashana Bane" (Alas, whose hopes hinge on autumn/ When a branch of flowers will fall to build up a home). We need Merathi's brand of hope and positivism in these times. ---- A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. URL: https://newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/afsar-merathi-poet-hope-positivism/d/132163 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism