Q: Write A Short note on Azad Bilgrami” the greatest Arabic poet in the Sub-continent.

Introduction:-

Gulam Ali Azad Bilgrami was born to a well to do family. In the age of 25, he went to Saudi Arabia for performing hajj and remained there for 2 years to learn Arabic. After his return to the home land he started writing poetry in Arabic. He is considered the greatest poet of Sub-continent.

Hasan-ul-Hind:-

He was the greatest poet of Hindustan and was given the title of Hasan ul Hind‘ like Khakani was given the title of ‘Hasan Al Ajam’. He got his education in Aahadith and Islamic law from Abdul Wahab Tantavi. He learnt the art of poetry from Syed Abdul Jalil Bilgrami who was also his maternal uncle.

Azad As Use In Name:-
Ghulam Ali used ‘Azad’ as his Takhalas and this was liked by his teacher Abdul WahabTantavi. Ghulam Ali Azad Bilgrami has also written in Persian language.

Dewans:-
He left many dewans behind him. Some scholars believe that he left 7 dewans behind him. In his book ‘subht ul marjaan fi asaar hindostan’ he has mentioned about many mufasreen and figures that have done some great service for the cause of Islam. In total he has mentioned about 150 people in his book.

Subht ul Marjaan fi Asaar Hindustan;-
This book was published in 1885 and in one of its poem ‘Mirat Al Jamal’ the poet has praised all the body parts from starting head to the toe. This poem shows the class of the poet. This book can be divided into four chapters:

1) On the excellence and eminence of India
2) Biographies of Indian scholars
3) On rhetoric , both in Sansikat and Arabic literature
4) On love, both from the Indian and Arabic point of view

Use of Poetic Techniques:
Another very interesting thing about ‘Azad’is the use of similes and metaphor. In one of his verse he has written a word ‘sari’ which means walk, but at the same time he has used this word to make an allusion to the word ‘sahri’ which is the dress of Indian women. Azad has performed his immaculate work in all the forms of poetry i.e. Nazem, Masnavi,Rubai etc.

His Views about Love:
He was a great lover of Holy Prophet and about his feelings of love for this great personality, Azad said:

“Sha’n ul muhibbu ajeebun fi sabathu
Al hijru yaqtuluhu wal waslu yuhyeehu”

“Matter of lover is strange in love, separation kills him and linking makes him alive.”

At another place he says about his love:

“Lawaeemi qatt’at akbadahunna mata
Ra’ainahu fi kamal il husniwattiya”

“Ashamer upon me cut off their hearts when they saw himin full bloom of beauty and adornation.”

His Work:-
1-Subht ul Marjaan fi Asaar Hindostan
2-Dewan Azad
3-Mukhtarat Dewan Azad
4-Tasliya ul Lail
5-Shafa ul Lail
6-Al Sahjra Al Tabiya
7-Al Sabah Al Sariya
8-Shamamah Al Amber
9-Mazhar Al Barkat

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