Sachal Sarmast Biography

 

 Sachal Sarmast: The Multilingual Mystic of Sindh:

Sachal Sarmast was a renowned Sufi poet and saint of Sindh, who wrote poetry in seven languages and preached the message of love, tolerance, and unity. He was born in 1739 in Daraza, near Ranipur, and died in 1827. He is also known as Sacho Sarmast, which means “the truthful mystic”. He was a follower of the doctrine of Wahdat-ul-Wujood, which means “the unity of being”. He composed verses on philosophy, Sufism, and mysticism, and challenged the rigid thinking of the clerics of his time. He is considered as the second Mansoor Hallaj, a famous Persian mystic who was executed for his controversial utterance “I am the Truth”. Sachal Sarmast’s poetry is widely admired and sung by Sindhi Sufis and folk singers.

Sachal Sarmast poetry influence Sindhi Sufis:

Sachal Sarmast was an eminent and powerful Sindhi Sufi bard who flourished in the 18th and 19th centuries. He was a master of seven languages, including Sindhi, Siraiki, Persian, Urdu, Balochi, Punjabi, and Arabic. He adhered to the doctrine of Wahdat-ul-Wujood, which implies “the unity of existence”. He asserted that God is contained in every individual and object, and that all religions are connected by the same truth. He communicated his mystical insight and love for God through his literature, which was full of symbols, metaphors, and pictorial representations.
Sachal Sarmast's verses have been the spark of motivation for countless Sindhi Sufis and folk vocalists, who have given their works life in a range of musical forms, for example kafi, ghazal, and dhamaal. Other Sindhi poets, such as Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, Sami, Bedil, and Bekas have been influenced by their writing. Their poetry has been praised for its sonorous allure, profound spirituality, and popularity throughout the world. Their book, Sache Jo Risalo (The Message of the Truthful), is celebrated as one of the masterworks of Sindhi literature.
Sachal Sarmast's words of love remain applicable in the present day, underscoring the importance of peace, harmony, and respect among people of various beliefs and backgrounds. His poesy serves as a reminder that we all originate from the same divine origin and that we should search for God inside ourselves and in others. He further exhorts us to be liberated from the fetters of ritual and doctrine, and to adhere to our inner voice. He states:
I have found my beloved within me. He is neither Hindu nor Muslim He is neither Zoroastrian nor Christian He is neither Jew nor Buddhist He is the essence of all faiths He is the soul of all souls.

 The Life and Legacy of Sachal Sarmast: A Sufi Saint Who Transcended Boundaries

Sachal Sarmast was a Sufi saint who lived during the 18th and 19th centuries in the Pakistani region of Sindh. Not only was he a poet and scholar, but he was also a mystic and reformer. He composed verse in seven languages and promoted the ideals of love, solidarity, and acceptance. People of many different backgrounds and beliefs look up to him for embracing diversity and his nickname, Sacho Sarmast, means “the truthful mystic”.
Sachal Sarmast was born in 1739 in Daraza, near Ranipur, into a family of religious scholars. His father, Abdul Wahab Farouqi, was a well-known jurist and Theologian. His mother, Jamila, was a pious and learned woman. Sachal Sarmast received his early education from his father and other teachers in his town. He learned Arabic, Persian, Urdu, Sindhi, and other languages. He also studied the Quran, the Hadith, the Fiqh, and other Islamic sciences. He was launched into the Qadriyya order of Sufism by his father at the age of 15. He later became a disciple of Pir Abdul Haq Muhaddith Dehlavi, a famous scholar and mystic of Delhi. He also visited other Sufi masters and shrines in India and Iran.
Sachal Sarmast spent most of his life in Daraza, where he established a khanqah (a Sufi lodge) and a library. He devoted himself to meditation, prayer, poetry, and teaching. He had many followers and disciples from different walks of life. He also welcomed people of other faiths and sects to his khanqah, such as Hindus, Sikhs, Shias, Sunnis, Zoroastrians, Christians, Jews, and Buddhists. He respected their beliefs and practices, and often quoted from their scriptures and saints in their poetry. They believed that all religions were paths to the same truth. and that God is present in everything and everyone. They expressed their mystical Vision and love for God in his poetry, which is rich in imagery, symbolism, and metaphors. He also challenged the orthodox and rigid views of the religious authorities of his time, and advocated for tolerance, harmony, and humanism.
Sachal Sarmast died in 1827 at the age of 88. His shrine is located in Daraza Sharif; Where an annual festival is held to commemorate his death anniversary. His poetry is widely admired and sung by Sindhi Sufis and folk singers. His book, Sache Jo Risalo (The Message of the Truthful), is considered as one of the masterpieces of Sindhi literature. His poetry has also influenced other Sindhi Poets, such as Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, Sami, Bedil, and Bekas. His poetry has also been translated into many languages and published in various countries. His message of love is relevant even today, as it promotes peace, harmony, and respect among people of different faiths and cultures.
Sachal Sarmast was a Sufi saint who transcended the boundaries of language, religion. Culture, and time. They were poets of the people and a lover of God. They were a seeker of the truth and a giver of wisdom. He was Sachal Sarmast: The Multilingual Mystic of Sindh.
 
Sachal Sarmast: A Poet of the People and a Lover of God:

Sachal Sarmast was a Sindhi Sufi poet who lived in the 18th and 19th centuries. He wrote poetry in seven languages, including Sindhi, Siraiki, Persian, Urdu, Balochi, Punjabi and Arabic. He was a follower of the doctrine of Wahdat-ul-Wujood, which means “the unity of being”. He believed that God is present in everything and everyone, and that all religions are paths to the same truth. He expressed his mystical vision and love for God in his poetry. Which is rich in imagery, symbolism, and metaphors. He also challenged the orthodox and rigid views of the religious authorities of his time, and advocated for tolerance, harmony, and humanism.
Sachal Sarmast was not only a poet, but also a lover of God. He had a deep and intimate relationship with the divine, which he described in his verses. He often used the metaphor of love to convey his spiritual experience. He said:
I have fallen in love with my beloved. He is my life, my soul, my everything He is The one who fills my heart with joy. They are the one who makes me forget all Sorrows They are the one who gives me strength and courage. They are the one who guides me to the right path
Sachal Sarmast also used the metaphor of wine to express his ecstasy and intoxication with God. He said:
I have drunk the wine of love. It has made me lose my senses. It has made me forget Myself It has made me merge with him. He is the wine; he is the cup; he is the drinker He is the one who pours; he is the one who drinks
Sachal Sarmast was also a poet of the people. He wrote in simple and accessible language, using everyday words and expressions. He addressed the common issues and problems faced by the people of their time, such as poverty, oppression, Injustice, and ignorance. They also used humor and satire to expose the hypocrisy and corruption of the religious elite. He said:
They Wear long robes and turbans. They recite verses and prayers. They pretend to be Pious and holy But they are wolves in sheep’s clothing. They are thieves, and robbers They are liars and deceivers
Sachal Sarmast’s poetry has inspired generations of Sindhi Sufis and folk singers, who have sung his verses in various musical genres, such as kafi, ghazal, and dhamaal. His poetry has also influenced other Sindhi poets, such as Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, Sami, Bedil, and Bekas. His poetry has also been translated into many languages and published in various countries. His message of love is relevant even today, as it promotes peace, harmony, and respect among people of different faiths and cultures.