Human Existence Is A Sisyphean Endeavour

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 21 November 2024 While flipping through the pages of a Pakistani Urdu magazine, I stumbled upon a couplet written by one Tariq Mirza from Multan: Ummeed Ki Nahin Kuchh Kami Kahin / Par Ye Ummeed Mere Liye Bani Nahin (Though there's no dearth of hope, this hope is not meant for me). I started pondering over it and Franz Kafka's thought came to my mind: "There's an infinite amount of hope in the universe, but not for us." Kafka's quote as well as Tariq's Urdu couplet reflect a sense of futility and hopelessness. Both suggest that despite the fact that there is an abundance of potential in the universe, that potential is not available to us as individuals. While we may be able to create our own destiny and make our own choices, we are still limited by the fact that we are only one small part of something larger and greater. It suggests that while we may have hope, it can only come from outside of ourselves and is not always within our reach........Ab Kis Ko Kya Mila Ye Muqaddar Ki Baat Hai. Despite all our confidence, motivation and boundless hope, fact remains: Humans are helpless and also hopeless. This is not a self-deprecating or self-lambasting revelation. Nor does it reek of cynicism. This is a universal truth. Raghupati Sahay 'Firaq' Gorakhpuri put it so nicely, "Taqdeer Toh Qaumon Ki Hua Karti Hai/ Ek Shakhs Ki Qismat Mein Taqdeer Kahan" (Races have destinies/ An individual has no such thing). In fact, it's very important for every individual to know his/her inherent limitations and also the awareness that there'll be a semblance of disillusionment in the end. Every person dies disenchanted whether or not he accepts this. The whole human existence is a Sisyphean endeavour. When you read Deewan-e-Shams Tabrez, you realize that a sense of utter hopelessness is essential for the self-realization. Chamakte Hain Sitare Raat Jab Taareek Hoti Hai (Stars glitter brightly when the night is pitch-dark). Existentially speaking, life is futile and purely accidental: Subha Hui, Shaam Hui/ Zindagi Yoon Tamaam Hui. Camus also said the same. According to Albert Camus, finding a meaning of life is futile because he believes that life is inherently "absurd," meaning there is no inherent or objective purpose to existence, and any attempt to impose meaning on the universe is ultimately meaningless and contradictory; therefore, searching for a grand meaning in life is a pointless endeavour. Once you understand this, existence becomes easier because then you don't live with any illusions and unnecessary expectations. Every human's life requires an honest acceptance of emotions and limitations. ---- 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://www.newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/human-existence-sisyphean-endeavour/d/133773 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