Hakim Sanai at Old Poetry

I lived from 1080-1131. I was from Afghanistan, and am in the Asian category.

The real name of Sanai of Ghazni was Abul Majd bin Majdud bin Adam. Sanai was born in the province of Ghazni in southern Afghanistan. He was the court poet of Bahram Shah, and spent many years praising the king and his court but few years later he became more devoted to God and abruptly left the court of the king.

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There is an interesting story behind it. Once Bahram Shah was planning an expedition to India, On the way he heard a drunkard drink to Bahram Shah's stupidity, because his expedition to Ghazni was not yet over and he was planning another one, then the drunkard drank to sanai's foolishness for he said "He writes in praise of unworthy persons, goes to them and with folded hands recites what he has written for worldly gains. Is he not a fool? What will he say to God, on the day of the Reckoning when He (God) asks him, 'what have you brought for me? "

These words were an eye opener for Sanai and he left the king's service, gave up writing panegyrics and retired into seclusion.

Sanai was the first to lay the foundation of ethical poetry, and laid down rules for it. He introduces ethics in an uncommon manner, which produces great impression on reader's mind.

Everyone admits that death ends all troubles and tribulations of life. Hakim Sana’i thinks otherwise. He says:

"Behave with mankind in such a way that when you die you free yourself from the worries of the world; not in a way that when you die people may have to say "God has relieved us from a troublesome fellow."

Hakim Sana’i presents the evils of drink in the following verses: Wine is such an abominable substance that if one showers gifts in state of drunkenness that is attributed to liquor and not to one's generous nature.

Sana’i was the pioneer and past master in the art of making appropriate use of metaphor and simile in his verses.

Sanai presented mysticism as a philosophy of life. Sanai wrote his most famous mathnawi Hadiqat-ul-Haqaiq ("Garden of Truth") at a very old age and died soon after its completion in A.D. 1131

The following are the works of Sana’i:

(a) Kulliyat containing thirty thousand verses

( Seven Mathnavis viz.

(1) Hadiqa (2) Sayr-al-Abad (3) Kamama-i-Balkh (4) Tariqa-al-Tahqiq (5) Ishq-nameh (6) Aql-nameh (7) Bahruz-Bahram. Hadiqa is the only extant work of Sana’i, others are extinct

The birth year is a circa year.

My poetry

On Being Silent

The path of religion is neither in works nor words; there are no buildings thereon, but only desolation. Whoso becomes silent to pursue the path, his speech is

8 lines, 1 comment
In His Magnification

When He shows His Nature to His creation, into what mirror shall He enter? The burden of proclaiming the Unity not everyone bears; the desire of proclaiming the

8 lines, 1 comment
On Purity Of Heart

Then, since the object of desire exists not in anyplace, how canst thou purpose to journey towards Him on foot? The highroad by which thy spirit and prayers can

4 lines, 1 comment
On Self - Abasement And Humility

Lowliness befits thee, violence suits thee not; a, naked man frantic in a bee-house is out of place. Leave aside thy strength, betake thyself to lowliness, that

8 lines, 1 comment
On The Blind Men And The Affair Of The Elephant

There was a great city in the country of Ghûr, in which all the people were blind. A certain king passed by that place, bringing his army and pitching his camp

2 lines, 1 comment
On Charity And Gifts

Whatsoever thou hast, relinquish it for the sake of God; for charity is the greater marvel when it comes from beggars. Bestow thy life and soul, for the endeavo

1 lines, 1 comment
Of Him Who Feeds Me

When they capture the hawk in the wilds, they secure it neck and feet; they quickly cover up both its eyes and proceed to teach it to hunt. The hawk becomes acc

2 lines, 3 comments
On The Glory Of The Qur'ân

Glorious it is, though concealing its glory: and a guide, though under the veil of coquetry. Its discourse is bright and strong; its argument clear and apt; its

7 lines, 1 comment
Of Those Who Heed Not

A discerning man questioned one of the indifferent, whom he saw to be very foolish and thoughtless, saying, Hast thou ever seen saffron, or hast thou only heard

2 lines, 1 comment
On The Surrender Of The Self

Dost thou desire thy collar of lace to be washed, then first give thy coat to the fuller. Strip off thy coat, for on the road to the King's gate there are many

4 lines, 1 comment

Hakim Sanai

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