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.
