Peace, one and all…
The ginans are the devotional poetry/music of the Ismaili community of South Asia, written in a variety of Indic languages. I purchased a copy of Ali S. Asani’s Ecstasy and Enlightenment recently and wanted to share a particularly nice example with you all. So, enjoy…
‘Whenever the love kindles within the self for the Beloved,
That love will wipe out your ego.
Night and day he (the lover) is awake and cannot sleep;
Continuously his eyes weep.
It is as if the heart is set afire
With the flame which the lover himself turns into fire.
The soul feels (such cries) as if it were a bird
That it would have flown away to catch a glimpse of the Beloved.
For the love of the Beloved, I would sacrifice myself.
O (how I yearn) to go and embrace Him!
My Beloved has pierced me so with His love,
That out of separation I am groping about like a person insane.
The one who is wounded in the heart,
How can he sleep in peace?
Day and night I cannot sleep;
Every day tears flow from my eyes.
I am dying, my Beloved, because of You,
and do You not feel pity (for me)?
(Attributed to Pir Sadr al-Din)
Ma’as salama,
Abdur Rahman
May 4, 2007 at 7:11 pm
Abdur – thank-you for sharing this wonderful poetry! If I’m not mistaken, this translation seems to be of selected verses of ‘Bujh Niranjan’
If you enjoyed this book, I would also recommend ‘A Scent of Sandalwood: Indo-Ismaili Religious Lyrics’ by Aziz Esmail. A brief but interesting symposis can be found at the following address:
http://www.iis.ac.uk/view_article.asp?ContentID=105688
Secondly, Ali Asani (author of the book to which you have referred) has also been working on communicating the wonderful tapestry that is Islam. Here is an excellent article from the Harvard Gazette about his efforts:
http://www.news.harvard.edu/gazette/2007/03.01/03-islam.html
Lastly, I wanted to highlight – and you have alluded to this already – that there is a strong and long-standing link between Ismailism and Sufism. This is evident not only in ginans, but also qasidas recited by the Ismailis of Central Asia (Afghanistan and Tajikistan in particular). Some of these are attributed to Nasir Khusrow, Jalaledin Rumi as well as Shams Tabriz (who some believe to have a particularly strong connection to Ismailism).
This comment has been multi-posted at the following blogs:
http://thecorner.wordpress.com/2007/05/03/a-ginan-on-love/
http://ismailimail.wordpress.com/2007/05/04/a-ginan-on-love/
May 4, 2007 at 7:21 pm
Salaams A Walli,
Thank you for your kind comments and thank you for dropping by. Welcome to my cyberspace home. Make yourself comfortable, plenty of cyber-chai on offer here
I work in a University in South Wales, UK, where amongst other things I will teach a course next year on Shia history. I have long been interested in the Ismaili community, and personally own many copies of very useful works by the excellent Institute of Ismaili Studies.
Thank you for your link to further examples of ginans. It is most kind. Jazak Allah. Would you know where I could find audio recordings of this material?
Ma’as salama (and welcome again)
Abdur Rahman
May 4, 2007 at 7:23 pm
Salaams again A Walli,
With your permission, I’d like to add your blog to my blogroll, as insha Allah, I intend to drop by.
I hope this is OK. If not, please let me know.
Ma’as salama,
Abdur Rahman
May 4, 2007 at 7:46 pm
The other blog to which I referred is not my blog (though I do frequent it a lot, and sometimes participate), however, I suspect the owner would not have any issue (rather, would welcome it).
Regarding audio recordings … there are not too many in the public domain. If I’m not mistaken, Sultana Kara had produced a CD some years ago that contained Jewish songs and Ismaili ginans called Mystic or Mystik. It might be quite hard to find as it was a number of years ago. Alternatively, perhaps you can get in touch with Ali Asani or Aziz Esmail for guidance?
May 4, 2007 at 8:04 pm
Salaams again A S Walli
Thank you kindly for your swift response. I may just try your suggestion of contacting Ali Asani directly.
Ma’as salama,
Abdur Rahman
May 4, 2007 at 9:01 pm
To help frame further readings you do on Ismailism, might I suggest a read of the Aga Khan Development Network’s Ethical Framework document? It is a worthwhile, particularly given it is only five pages. The first parts are particularly interesting to me – talking about Din (spiritual world) and Duniya (material world) as being divine gifts, neither to be forsaken.
Ethical Framework
http://www.iis.ac.uk/view_article.asp?ContentID=101094
Another important web-site is the portal for the Aga Khan Development Network, which is one of the largest private development networks in the world
http://www.akdn.org
May 4, 2007 at 9:25 pm
Salaams A Walli
Thank you for the links. It really is most kind of you. Jazak Allah.
I’ve often visited the Institute of Ismaili Studies website. I’ve heard for the AKDN before, but have never visited the site (as far as I recall).
Ma’as salama,
Abdur Rahman
March 6, 2008 at 8:06 pm
Aas Salam Walaikum,
Abdur Rehman by seeing your interest in ginans and ismailism, i am writing this comment that you can easily access information regarding ismailism and on aga khan iv on http://www.theismaili.org its an official website of ismailies. Moreover I am ismaili too if you want any assistance from me then you are most welcome.
Hope to have a chance to keep in contact with you.
Kind Regards,
Waqar Hemani
March 10, 2008 at 11:27 am
Salaams Waqar Hemani
Welcome to my online home. Allah bless you always. God bless you for the link – I will visit soon insha Allah. Thank you for your kind offer of communication. I certainly value that opportunity.
Thank you also for your e-mail address. I’ve not published that post (though I do have your contact details).
Salaams to you and yours…
Abdur Rahman
June 1, 2008 at 11:54 am
Listen Online Ginan’s And Ismaili Music:
http://www.nizariismaili.com/modules.php?name=Flash_MP3_Player
Download Ginans:
http://www.nizariismaili.com/modules.php?name=Downloads
June 2, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Salaams Nizari Ismaili,
Welcome to my online home. Allah bless you always.
Jazak Allah for the links. I will check them out as soon as I can, insha Allah.
Abdur Rahman