UNIVERSAL ANTHEMS: Revolutionary Message for a Global Cause – Published by Tablo, Australia, 2019
TABLE OF CONTENTS:-
Section 1: Inspired Discourses
The Existential Narration
Conquer the World
The Global Cause
The Unanswered Question
The Great Misconception
A Small Dialogue with the West
Western Democracy or Islam?
The Fortitude of Islam
The Rhyme of Eid-ul-Fitr
Iqbal’s Concept of God: My Poetic Description
The Pride of Islam
The Gate of Knowledge
Just a thought
A Bundle of Contradictions
Thank you Dear Readers
A Message to Islam
The Revolution
The Godless Delusion
The Unnamed Lyrics
On 14th August
Anthem 2016
An Aspirant’s Confession
Ode to Someone Special
Homage to an Exceptional Human
Part 2: An Aspirant’s Confession
Knowledge
Philosophy of Religion
A Poet’s Dilemma
Islamic Modernism: Blessing or Curse?
Eid-ul-Azha Rhyme
A Critique of Western Philosophy
“What is it?”
The Alma Mater
The Divine Music
The Esoteric Song
The Universal Memorandum
The Alchemy
From Agnosticism to Islam
Search for the Truth
Our Next Prime Minister
The Million Dollar Question
Jesus – Tribute from a Muslim
Confessions of Aadil Farook
A Letter to Holy Prophet (SAW)
Junaid Jamshed: 1964-2016
My Autobiography
For Seekers of Truth
Wake up asleep religious Muslims
A trip to Murree
Advice to my nephew
A Short Note for readers
An Interview with Aadil Farook (prose)
Section 2: Enthused Verses
· Spirituality: Part 1
· Spirituality: Part 2
· Muhammad (pbuh)
· The men of God
· Iqbal
· The Controversial Rhyme
· The Coherence of an Incoherent Discourse
· Enlightenment
· Islamic thought & civilization
· Iqbal’s Educational Philosophy
· From the diary of Aadil Farook: Part 1
· From the diary of Aadil Farook : Part 2
· War on Terror
· An Agony of the Highest Order
· Religion vs Secularism
· A Critique of Religion
· A Muslim Response to Critique of Religion
· A Small Yet Conclusive Discourse
· A Silent Prayer
· From the Diary of Aadil Farook: Part 3
· A Loud Prayer (On Behalf of Muslims)
· Mystical Dimension
· My Perception
· Poem # 100
· Education
· Jinnah
· A drop’s ode to an Ocean
· Admittance infront of God
· God’s Admittance infront of Aadil
· From the Diary of Aadil Farook: Part 4
· Satan’s Secret Message
· Fall of Modern Intellectualism
· An Inspiration
· The Ramzan Effect
· An Act of Worship
· Return to God
· Aphorisms by Aadil
Section 3: A Bard from the East
You and I
Dialogue with the Common Man
Dialogue with an Atheist/Agnostic
A Beggar in the Kingdom
The Untitled Script
I, Revealed
The Cloth of Divinity
The Forgotten Entity
The God of Sinners
The Unsung Melody
Heaven and Hell
The Cursed Ones
Nature and I
The Riddle of Life
A letter to God
Anthology of Ironies
The Universal Quest
The Lost Treasure
Confessions of Muhammad: his Imaginary Tribute to God
Fruits from a Forbidden Tree
The Ummah’s Cry
The Plead of Despair
Adulthood
2011
A Bard from the East
Pakistan
Secularism
Al-Fatiha
Al-Baqarah
The Ghost
The Future
Education
Islamization
Muslims
Sayings/Quotes by Aadil
Even color-blind people see black can’t be white (Prose, 2003)
Section 4: Song Lyrics
Fades Away
Peace
Soul Speech
PREFACE
I have neither read poetry nor learned it. Yet I am a big admirer of its exponents because they can say in one line for which a writer may require many pages. I neither know nor care for the rules of English Literature. My only exposure is constructive, meaningful, mature and beautiful lyrics from great songs I have heard since childhood. In the Islamic worldview, art is not an end in itself but rather a means towards a higher purpose. I am not exactly a poet and don’t have any aspiration to be one – I am a young man with a cause, a mission. My genre is religio-philosophical. Some of my writings may be only relevant for Muslims, some for all believers and some for all human beings. My works may not be read for pleasure alone but to understand bigger issues of life at a deeper level. Elucidation of important themes and relevant topics of concern is the goal. As long as I provoke people to enter into their intellectual and spiritual domains, I am not bothered if the literary gurus criticize my works on the basis of expression rather than thought, style instead of meaning, delivery and not content because they wrongly consider art for art’s sake. What is the use of flowery language without answers to questions for a seeker of knowledge? I consider myself an instrument the Divine Consciousness uses to convey vital messages.
This is not exactly a new book but mainly a compilation of 3 books earlier published in Pakistan with some additions and changes. Despite excellent reviews by internationally recognized individuals, the books went totally unnoticed due to some unfortunate reasons beyond my control. So I decided to launch their collection worldwide. The first 3 sections comprise those books. I have kept their order opposite to the actual sequence but I have retained their original titles. Thus, I may disagree with some of my own earlier works but I didn’t edit them because I want readers to see the actual evolution, progression and maturation of my thought. Intellectual honesty demands that I do not change my works to please anyone and, instead, retain their original content.
Substantial work has already been done on Islam in Urdu & Persian poetry, especially by Iqbal and Rumi. Similarly too many books on Islam can be found in English prose. But there have been very few poets of Islam who used English as an original language – that is what makes my book worthy of being counted. I dream of the day when it will reside on the bedside of innumerable people throughout the world. I am not an idealist but, at the age of 36, only optimism yields positivity. Since it is God who blessed me with both a talent for writing verses and the gift of insightful reflection, it is only inevitable that I invest my time, energy and ability for His sake!
Muslim World Anthem, 2010: Wept After Writing it!
Is it an unsolved riddle?
Is it really a gift from God
or a test that cuts like a sword?
Is it actually the conquest of evil
or virtue’s manifestation in few people?
Is it the nurture of intellect in minds
or disclosure of emotions of all kinds?
Is it the drama that is simply too real
or the gradual opening of fate’s seal?
Is it as organized as empirical Science
or a random set of events with no signs?
Is it mere occurrence of tragedies for the pure?
Does it have an equalizer after its tenure?
Isn’t throughout history havoc been played?
Is it worth the price that was paid?
Is it only an opportunity for our talents’ display
Or a chance to perform deeds that won’t go away?
Is world peace only a utopian idea of the naive?
Hasn’t this planet been chaotic since Adam & Eve?
Awful is the record of human nature
Is man the most superior creature?
Does religion unveil the mystery
or only plant a rootless tree?
Neither books nor experience gives answers
Knowledge is built on weak pillars
Mystics say that without a clean soul
Thought is deprived of the right role
Uncertainties diminish in the self’s mirror
When man goes beyond philosophy’s border
When he drowns in the divine love’s ocean
When he tastes flavors unknown to reason
However, man cannot understand this
without being in that state’s bliss
For most, this discourse makes no sense
But the reward of surrender is immense
I am myself stuck in that zone
where vanity isn’t yet blown
Maybe I will never attain that spiritual level
where hearts aren’t corrupted by the devil
But I will always acknowledge my insignificance
infront of those who have gone the distance!
Rise above daily chores
Throw inhibition on the floor
No more slavery to mundane deeds
Man is elevated when fully freed
From the goblet of life, pour in your heart
An endless stream of vigor to set you apart
Let every morning embrace new targets
Let your eyes be blind to all limits
Be numb to every impulse of fear
Meet each doubt with a haughty sneer
Though easy isn’t the striving to excel
“Nothing is impossible”, heroes tell
Greatness is the outcome of dreams
No matter how unrealistic it seems
Make your thirst the sole guidance
And perseverance, the only reliance
Sharpen the knife of your defining trait
Cut every hurdle that lies in your fate
Allow yourself to be challenged again and again
So your footsteps traverse an unwalked lane
Whether it is talent or virtue
Be such that others follow you
None of your indulgences is a vain venture
But a path towards a glorious future
Your every act shall be a beacon of inspiration
Each expression, a symbol of self-actualization
Let the diamond within you shine profusely
So your feat is hailed by entire humanity
Conquer the world, O aspiring champion
It’s a mere jungle, you’re the lion!
______________________________
The Million Dollar Question, 2017
Throughout history, genius people have walked on this planet
Nature blessed them with gifts otherwise impossible to exhibit
Scientists presented theories that turned our outlook upside-down
Philosophers generated ideas which made all other opinions drown
Artists displayed talents adding new dimensions to life’s beauty
Poets and Writers granted insights undiscovered by majority
Leaders showed us the path towards a major revolution
Humanitarians proved love’s power beyond any emotion
Inventors changed the world with introduction of technology
Saints manifested evidence of our potential for morality
Sportsmen unveiled how practice leads to perfection
Hitler personified intellect led by evil ambition
We should ask what is the method for measuring the greatness of any human?
Grandeur of purpose, scarcity of means and astounding results are the criterion
Who is that one king among entire mankind
who must capture every heart and mind?
whose knowledge hasn’t yet been surpassed by any scholar
whose unparalleled success is both spiritual and secular
who conquered everything whether beliefs, ethics, law or land
whose teachings make ideals and reality both go hand in hand
who was a thinker, mystic, legislator, soldier, orator and ruler
who defied the division between politics and religious fervor
whose strategy on peace and war stands the test of time
whose guidance is for every age practical and sublime
whose economic principles can end the crisis of our generation
whose treatise on medicine can give health a vital direction
who alone brought a system of values and acts
with not a single flaw if based on only facts
whose message transcends language, race, culture and nationality
who is in the modern era, the most misunderstood personality
In tainting his image, the enemies of truth have tried their best
Innumerable books against him are written ignorantly in the West
Since critics cannot undermine his achievement’s immensity
The only way left is to attack his character’s integrity
A layman who doesn’t understand the complexity of his mission
is easily influenced by such distorted discourse’s narration
I challenge the educated and literate individuals
Can you name one man with superior credentials?
Infront of his caliber and righteousness, I submit
He is none other than Muhammad, the last Prophet!
______________________________________
“The Veiled One”, 2021
“REVELATION, NOT REVOLUTION”, 2021
Don’t curse the spread of sin
Try to conquer the self within
Seek not faults in others
See your heart in a mirror
Purify it to that extent
Beautiful is every intent
The book will be revealed on it
Giving you no choice but to submit
The verses will mesmerize your soul
As if you had no other role
The message will overwhelm your mind
You won’t see the truth of another kind
You’ll be enchanted by the divine melody
As if there is simply no other reality
If free from desire is your being
Be an eye to God’s unveiling
If you drink from the cup of love
You’ll see bounties, below and above
If you walk the path of a saint
The picture will teach how to paint
Every occurrence is a signal from heaven
Only if you can decipher its wisdom
If you crave for honor in the Almighty’s sight
Diminish your candle infront of prophetic light
No spiritual journey exists in God’s palm
whose destination is without the Prophet of Islam
Impossible is virtue without his signature
With him, even a drop is a reservoir
Many ills can contaminate the human spirit
None is worse than irreverence for God’s beloved
Inner light isn’t accessible to the majority
Every drop doesn’t aspire to be the sea
Western Thought grants us the wrong lens
We must unlearn it and then commence
The road to enlightenment is experiential
Theoretical speculation is only a hurdle
Mystical insight is beyond Science and Philosophy
Because only the heart’s reach embraces infinity
Complain not about the corrupt government
Discern, instead, your own hidden serpent
Be obsessed with revelation, not revolution
Life’s secrets unlock after self-transformation
Does our age need Mandela or Rumi’s successor?
Aren’t our deepest problems spiritual in nature?
Aim not to change the world, O’ man
Its Creator knows what’s best in His plan!
_______________________________
“THE RHYTHM OF 2022”
https://www.scarletleafreview.com/anniversary1/aadil-farook-the-rhythm-of-2022
“LETTER FROM THE CHILDREN OF THE WORLD”
“A Letter from the Children of the World” – Poem by Aadil Farook
THE DIVINE CONTENT
“THE LOST CROWN”
https://www.islamicity.org/100518/ramadan-gift-for-the-world/
______________________________
EID GIFT FOR HUMANITY
TO BUY THE BOOK, CONTACT THE AUTHOR: aadil.far@gmail.com
PREVIOUS BOOKS PUBLISHED IN PAKISTAN:-
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A bard from the East – Sang-e-meel, 2011
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Enthused Verses – University of Management & Technology, 2016
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Inspired Discourses – EMEL, 2018