Ghani Khan: A God’s lover

“For the mullah, God is Jabbar and Qahar, while for me, God is Rehman and Rahim. I often quarrel with the mullah,” Ghani Khan.

Pashto literature is enriched by the contributions of four eminent poets: Khushal Khan Khattak, Rehman Baba, Hamza Baba, and Ghani Khan Baba. These literary giants laid the foundation of Pashto literature, shaping its various genres. Khushal Khan Khattak’s poetry ignited Pashtun nationalism, encouraging 17th-century Pashtuns to rebel against the Mughal Empire. Rehman Baba’s verses are imbued with love and compassion for the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and convey a mystic message of divinity and worship. On the other hand, Hamza Baba introduced a novel form of ghazal to Pashto literature, earning him the title “Father of Pashto Ghazals.” However, Ghani Khan Baba’s poetry cannot be confined to a single genre or ideology, making him unique among these luminaries.

Ghani khan and His Contribution to Pashto Literature

Ghani Khan, often called Ghani Khan Baba out of love and reverence, was a mystic, philosopher, sculptor, scholar, painter, and master poet. Despite receiving minimal formal training in the visual arts, he is celebrated as an accomplished painter and sculptor. Few know of his talent in sculpture, which paralleled his poetic genius. Under Jawaharlal Nehru’s guidance, Ghani Khan was enrolled at Shantiniketan, where he studied journalism, painting, and sculpture. Rabindranath Tagore and Nandalal Bose mentored him. However, his studies were cut short when his father, Bacha Khan, disapproved of his pursuit of painting and sculpture. Despite this setback, Ghani produced remarkable sculptures and portraits of his close friends and relatives.

While his artistic contributions are noteworthy, Ghani Khan’s poetry occupies a superior place in the literary realm. His pen holds greater significance than his brush. Ghani Khan’s profound love for God is evident in his verses. His criticism of mullahs stems from his broad-minded philosophy. He often debated with them, challenging their portrayal of God as Jabbar (Compeller) and Qahar (Subduer). For Ghani, God was Rehman (Most Merciful) and Rahim (Most Compassionate), forgiving the sins and wrongdoings of humanity, whether committed consciously or unconsciously.

While death is an unpleasant reality for most, Ghani Khan viewed it differently. For him, death was an opportunity to meet the Creator, a liberation from the dread of dying. He considered it a divine kindness, granted in times of great need. Ghani perceived death as a profound experience worth embracing, a belief beautifully articulated in his poetry:

Death is a secret wedlock between being and non-being;
Death harbors the hidden port of life’s ocean.
Death is helpless and a vision of beauty to itself;
Death is the only witness of my life and Your grace.

Ghani Khan’s poetry reflects his strong connection with God, often calling himself a “Lewani Philosopher” (Crazy Philosopher) who criticized conventional Islamic norms and rituals. Through his poems, he highlighted the contradictions between religious teachings and the actions of clergy. His belief in a personal and direct connection with God led some to label him as anti-mullah or even anti-Islamic. In one of his verses, he wrote:

And the mullah says in paradise, time would be my slave;
If he were somehow undone, all of my troubles would end.
If I find eternal youth, it would become a curse;
And after this worldly death, endow me to death.

Such verses encourage readers to distinguish between the true teachings of Islam and the misleading interpretations propagated by some clergy. Ghani Khan’s declaration that “every moment is a prayer, every breath a worship” reflects his pantheistic view that the divine is present in all aspects of life. Worship, for him, was not confined to rituals. He challenged conventional notions of hell and paradise in his poem “Jannat” (Paradise), asserting that true paradise lies in living a righteous and compassionate life.

Ghani Khan’s poetry inspires readers to question, reflect, and seek a more authentic spiritual experience. His rejection of narrow interpretations of religion and his embrace of a universal, loving God make his work timeless. His words resonate deeply, offering solace, challenging conventional wisdom, and fostering a connection to the divine. Ghani Khan remains a luminary in Pashto literature, his legacy a testament to the power of poetry and philosophy in shaping human understanding and spirituality.