In the book titled ‘Saheb’ Hassan Abbasi chooses to address his Lord as ‘Saheb’. He is in love with ‘Saheb’ and this love is enhanced with each day passing. Thus, his poetry becomes a journey of his soul. In order to express this novel love he travels to the wilderness. The morning breeze, the afternoon’s heat, the spirit of the night –all inspire him. Abbasi searches for new phrases, diction and terminologies to decorate his vocabulary. Question like who is in control of the Universe erupts again in his mind. Who is He that each particle of the earth speaks about Him and all nature bow its head before Him? In this state of mind, he says ‘Sab Kutch Apne Ander Dikhne Lag Jaata Hei/Aankhain Hi Ho Jaati Hain Ghair Zuroori Saheb’ (One finds answers from within making use of eyes, unnecessary).
Abbasi’s first poetry collection in praise of the Almighty was named ‘Saieen’ which is a metaphor for God. His second book is titled ‘Saheb” which describes the beauty of the Almighty. It seems that Abbasi’s selection and understanding the themes of his two books is the outcome of his subconscious. He says ‘Patta Chalta Nahi Hei Mujh Ko Subho Shaam Ka Saheb/Nasha Karne Laga Hun Main Tumhare Naam Ka Saheb’ (I lose count of day and night as I am addicted to Your name) (Page 95). Nazeer Qaiser gives reference to Fareed uddin Attar’s ‘Mantaq AlTayer’ in which birds fly in search of their King only to finally end up discovering that the King lay within them, all the while. Abbasi’s wings have been fluttering from his journey from ‘Saeein’ to ‘Saheb’ and he traced his God as per his dreams. Such poets are Sufis from within and act as ambassadors between earths and skies.
It is amazing to note that under the umbrella of his ‘Hamdia’ poetry, Abbasi has touched upon many spiritual issues, linking these to worldly ones. He says ‘Chahe Mausam Kharab Hei Saheb/Jaab Tau Phir Bhi Jaab Hei Saheb’ – Page 31’ (Even if the weather is not congenial, going for job is a must). Here job can that be of God or can be taken in the sense of worldly affairs. A very valid observation about many sects we make out of religious beliefs appears in the couplet ‘Woh Tau Hum Main Tafreeq Nahi Karta/Hum Hi Karte Hain Batwara Saheb Ka’ (He treats everybody equal. It is only we that divide Him into various beliefs –Page 36). Then about the ritual of all going for visit to the House of God whereas He is present all over Universe, is expressed in the couplet ‘Sab Nei Daikha Makaan Saheb Ka/Main Nei Daikha Jehan Saheb Ka’ (Everybody has seen the House of God but I have seen Him in His Universe) – Page 37.
The rationale offered by Hassan Abbasi for selecting the names ‘Saaein’ and ‘Saheb’ for his books is that these comprise songs in praise of God to bring human beings closer to God. It is a total submission full of love and also of grievances. Hassan Abbasi therefore says ‘Shikwe Haun Gei Hazaar Saheb Sei/Ho Gaya Hum Ko Pyaar Saheb Sei’ (We may be having lots of complaints from God but we are in love with Him). These are innocent complaints. We might question as to who is Saaein? Is he a landlord and who is human being; a labourer or a field worker, who is standing with his bowed heads and tied hands before his landlord? Is Hassan Abbasi’s ‘Saaein’ the same? Similarly is Saheb a big officer and a human, just a subordinate? Abbasi’s Saheb is kind and forgiving and come to the rescue of human being’s, whenever called upon. The book, ‘Saheb’ therefore is a poetry book unique in its thought content, treatment, vocabulary and multiple expressions in praise of God.
Published in Daily Times, October 23rd 2018.