Author Archives: sufiways

The Relativity of Truth

by Ali Hammad In The System of Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether, Edgar Allan Poe relates the story of a lunatic asylum where the patients have taken over, but the visitors to the asylum are unable to discern the switch.  … Continue reading

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Silence is Golden

by Navid Zaidi چُپ کر کے کریں گزارے نوں سچ سن کے لوک نہ سہندے نیں سچ آکھیے تاں گل پیندے نیں پھر سچے پاس نہ بہندے نیں سچ مٹھا عاشق پیارے نوں چُپ کر کے کریں گزارے نوں Pass … Continue reading

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Sufi Snaps: Existence

Our existence is but a bubble, this show but a mirage (Mir Taqi Mir – 18th Century Urdu poet) Photograph by Ali Hammad

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Quest for Reality and the Meaning of Prayer

by Navid Zaidi The Sufi’s book is not composed of ink and letters: It is not but a heart white as snow. The scholar’s possession is pen-marks. What is the Sufi’s possession? – foot-marks. The Sufi stalks the game like … Continue reading

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Saline chants

(God hides in teardrops) by Ali Hammad Fat one on a thin face Roll off at a sad pace Mark a track on a cheek Singe a heart with a streak Well well in an eye Leave leave other dry … Continue reading

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Fear of God

by Ali Hammad An anecdote ascribed to Mullah Nasruddin, the wise fool of the Sufi lore, goes something as follows: A king known for his sternness said to the Mullah, “You were introduced to me as an oracle, but you … Continue reading

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Existence and Nonexistence

by Navid Zaidi الف الله چنبے دی بوٹی ، میرے مرشد من وچ لائی هُو نفی اثبات دا پانی ملیا ، هر رگے هر جائی هُو ( Sultan Bahu) My Master has planted in my heart the jasmine of God’s … Continue reading

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Ego’s Attachments

by Navid Zaidi مکّے  گیاں  گَل  مُکدی  ناهیں بهاویں  سَو  سَو  جُمعے  پڑہ  آئیے گنگا  گیاں  گل  مکدی  ناهیں بهاویں  سو سو  غوطے  کهایئے بُلّهے  شاه  گل  تیّوں  مکدی جے  ُمیں ُ  نوں  مَنوں  گوایئے Visiting Mecca will not give … Continue reading

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Error is part of life

RUMI’S INVITATION by Navid Zaidi Come, come, whoever you are. Wanderer, worshiper, Lover of leaving- it doesn’t matter. Ours is not a caravan of despair. Come, even if you have broken your vows A hundred times, a thousand times. Come, … Continue reading

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Reflections on a loss

A LETTER OF CONDOLENCE TO PROFESSOR ZAFAR HAIDER by Ali Hammad “What is the defining characteristic of shock?” asked Professor Sahib. Several of my classmates gave good answers.  Professor Sahib nodded at each but seemed to want more. I raised … Continue reading

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