SikhSpectrum.com Monthly Issue No.6, November 2002
Tribute To Hazrat Mian Mir Sahib
Jetty Singh
Jetty Singh has written a poem in honor of Hazrat Mian Mir Sahib, a Muslim Sufi saint, who was invited by Guru Arjan Dev to lay the foundation
of Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple). Perhaps it was for the first time in human history that a Prophet of one religion invited a saint of another faith to lay the foundation of a prominent shrine, signifying oneness and brotherhood of humanity.
Sikh faith does not promote forced conversions. Sikhs don't actively proselytize. Guru Nanak advised people to follow their own religions with truth and sincerity.
To Muslims the Guru said:
Make compassion your mosque,
Faith your prayer mat,
Make honest living your scripture,
Let modesty rule your conduct,
Let piety be your fasts,
Let right conduct be the Ka'aba, Truth your Prophet,
Make the Lord's Will your rosary.
In such a way become a Muslim.
To Hindus he advised:
(referring to the holy thread worn by Hindus)
From the cotton of compassion,
Spin the thread of contentment,
Tying the knot of continence,
Give it the twist of virtue,
Such a sacred thread, O Wiseman,
Fabricate for your inner self.
Legend has it that once when Guru Nanak visited Multan he was met at the enterance of the city by a large group of yogis and other holymen. They presented him with a bowl of milk filled to the brim, which implied that the city was full of religious people that there was no need to accomodate another.
Guru Nanak placed a petal of flower in the bowl to signify that not only does the petal float without disturbing the milk it also adds fragrance to it.
Jetty's poem is written in the romanized version of old Punjabi, which is mostly spoken in West Punjab, and is largely influenced with words from Urdu and Farsi (Persian). A short glossary of words and meanings has been provided for the reader. An English translation follows. --Editor
Tassabi (mala, rosary) presented by Guru Arjan Dev to Hazrat Mian Mir at the time of his laying
the foundation stone of Shri Harmander Sahib. This Tassabi is now with the family of Makhdoom Syed Chan Pir Qadri.
A calendar painting of Hazrat Mian Mir.
Mazaar of Hazrat Mian Mir Sahib in Lahore.
Makhdoom Syed Chan Pir Qadri ji is presently the custodian (sajjada nashin) of the shrine (dargah) of Hazrat Mian Mir Sahib in Lahore.
Ashiq Chaakar
Hukmaan Badhi Ayaa Darefaani Taayin
Haq Fakiraan wahdat Mian Mir Sain
Jiondaa Pawe alfiayaan Hukmo Hukam Razaayin
Je Tudh ladhae Sainaan Uchion Ucha Thaayin
Piraan Pir Uch da Murshad Mian Mir Sain
Uch da rishta Guruaan sadqa Harmander wich Sain
Ninhaan pawae Haq wajjayaa Hukmon Hukam Razaayin
Qadariayaan da Silsilla Wich Khalqat Sangat Sain
Channa toon kar chakkari Khalqat Murshad Sain
Banniaa Patka Murshad waala Alfi aapoon paayin
Kachaa Bhaanda tutsee Mahiyae milnaan chaayin
Wajjan hun wadhaiyaan Ji milnaan Arshin Sain
Hath Jord hun karran Binanti Sangataan noon samjhaa denaa
Patkaa mera Murshad waala Laash meri tae paa denaa
Qaffan mere di Alfi tae Ashiq naan likhaa denaa
Qaffan mere di Alfi tae Ashiq naan likhaa denaa
Dedicated to the Pious and Sacred memory of
Sain Mian Mir Jee.
Presented with humility and love to
Sajjadanashin
Chan Pir Jee
jetty Singh
Glossary
Alfi : An undergarment put under a corpse of a
Muslim, just beneath the shroud or Kafan.
Beniazi, beniaz: Only God is beniaz, one who doesn't need, wish or crave for
any thing. Everybdy else is niyazi, seeking niyaz.
Darefaani: duniya; world
Gosaain: Hindus
Haq : True, Truth, also legitimate Right
Ladhe : labhe; to seek
Momin: Believing Muslims
Murshid : Spiritual teacher; Pir; instructor
Qadriaan da silsila: Sufi movements in India and elsewhere has four major
Silsilas (school or House). (i) Chishti, (ii.) Quadiri, (iii.) Naqushbandi (most
orthodox and almost fundamentalists, they are referred as Mullas of sufis,
more mullaa than sufi. Sufi saint Hallaj was executed by the then
Khlifa of Bagdad on the recomendation of some fanatical Mullas (no offence to pious and genuine Mullas), and (iv.) Suhrawardis.
Qadri silsila is well established in India, Pakistan
and Bangladesh, apart from Middle Eastern countries. Sain Mian Mir ji's Gaddi or silsila and muaqaam is the highest Qadri Silsila in Indian sub-continent.
Razaaian: In the Raza i.e. in and by God's Will
Sijjian: Bhijjia, soaked or soaking wet
Wahdat: Oneness of God; One; only One
Lovelorn Slave
By Grace of GOD Was he sent
To expound further Unity of GOD
What it meant
By HIS Will Adorned the shroud while living
Spread Love Tolerance Soulful Giving
If seekth thou a Soul Purer Higher Shine
Find ye The Saint of Uch Mian Mir Sain
Drenched in HIS Love Serving all the time
Taketh upon himself People’s sufferings mental grime
O’ Mian Mir Sain
In game of love Lost his heart to His people
Soul’s eyes fixed lotus feet of Beloved All this time
O’ Mian Mir Sain
Beloved Cometh to Meet thee People’s serving rhyme
O’ Mian Mir Sain
Guru’s Sacred Bond To Harmander goes Sain
TRUE ONE’S WILL COMMAND
Foundation Laying Sain
Born Silsilla Qadri Bonded Slave’s Bind People’s servant Sain
Sain People Serving Sain
O’ ye Chan Pir thou art HIS slave too Serve HIM people Sain
Wearing Sain’s turban His Grace on thee Shines
With abundance Beyond any doubt
By thine own will Wear Sain’s shroud
For the time is nigh
Be ready to meet your Beloved
Any Given Time
Joyous Auspicious time
To meet The Master
In Ambrosial Spiritual Sky
I pray with folded hands to people of mine
Spread turban of my Sain Says Chan Worn by I
As a shroud on my body
On my Alfi
Write ye
“Here lies
The Lovelorn Slave”
Bygone Gone bye
Photos
Courtesy: Makhdoom Syed Chan Pir Qadri ji's family, Lahore.
![Guru Arjan's rosary](javascript:openWin("http://www.sikhspectrum.com/112002/images/Guru's_beads.jpg"))
![mian mir sahib](javascript:openWin("http://www.sikhspectrum.com/112002/images/mian_mir_4.jpg"))
![mazaar](javascript:openWin("http://www.sikhspectrum.com/112002/images/mazaar.jpg"))
![pir sahib](javascript:openWin("http://www.sikhspectrum.com/102002/images/pir_sahib.jpg"))