Reviving mysticism: New Pashto anthology ‘Spezali Khyalona’ published

Author Musa Gul says Sufi traditions should be revived to counter violent ideas in society

PESHAWAR: Pashto writer Musa Gul has published a new Pashto anthology to express his divine love and to revive the tradition of Sufi poetry and mysticism.

The book, titled Spezali Khyalona, was published in Ramazan in a bid to revive Sufism that is losing its essence with time.

Gul, a senior writer from Buner, has been writing Pashto poems for
decades and published his work both in prose and poetry.

The publication of his Sufi poetry collection will provide him an opportunity to enter an important genre of Pashto literature. Gul said he is still waiting for his work in fiction and research to be published.



The book also contains some poems that shed light on current social and political conditions.

“Sufi teachings and traditions have been in Pashto literature since the beginning,” Gul said. “However, writing poetry is the most suitable way to praise and pay reverence to it.”

The writer said Sufism developed as a result of devotion which gives the message of unity and divine love. It creates a rapture and ecstasy into the heart of the listeners, he added.

“Sufi poetry is about the grace of nature, about the lover and of dignity of the human heart.



It is all in a simple, but very serious language,” he maintained.

“It is not simple poetry. It is poetry with a purpose,” said Gul. The poet added, “It is an art that creates and gives us a vision that has a direct impact on the minds of listeners and readers.”

He said Sufism is a universal language of love.

He added its traditions should be revived with a purpose to counter violent ideas that are taking place in society.

Pashto Sufi poetry reached its zenith with Sufi Abdur Rahman Baba whose great hymns are among the most impressive expressions to praise the creator. Baba’s poetry has much proximity with the classical Persian poetry.

Although there is an abundance of poets and writers, there have been few notable Pashto Sufi poets in
modern times.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 10^th, 2016.