Sab Maaya Hai: It’s All an Illusion

AI-generated art depicting a hermit sitting outside his hut

“Sab Maaya Hai” is an Urdu nazm written by the Pakistani poet Ibn-e-Insha (1927-1978). In it, the poet describes his disillusionment from the world, declaring love and loyalty to be false pretenses.

Ya Husain: The Tragedy of Karbala

"The Sky Fell Down" by Iranian artist Hassan Roholamin

Purnam Allahabadi (1948-1997), a notable Pakistani poet, penned a salaam in honor of the sacrifice of Husayn that opens with the line “Salaami Karbala Men Kya”. This poem was sung beautifully by Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan (1948-1997) as a qawwali titled “Ya Husain”.

Gorakh Dhanda: The Puzzling Nature of God

AI-generated art depicting a labyrinth, based on Islamicate designs

“Tum Ik Gorakh Dhanda Ho” is a philosophically and spiritually rich poem that was written by Naz Khialvi (1947-2010), a Pakistani poet and radio broadcaster. It explores theological debates and paradoxes, such as the problem of evil, free will versus determinism, the validity of different religions, and selective divine intervention.