ABOU BEN ADHEM
‘Abou Ben Adhem’ is the title of a poem written by the English
poet and critic , James Henry Leigh Hunt (1784-1859). Published in 1834, this
poem became, very popular and found place in a number of anthologies. Its aesthetic
and spiritual appeal has not waned till today.
It has an eternal message for people of literary and religious interest.
Leigh Hunt was the son of a clergyman. According to a biographer:
“Of careless habits he led an unsettled life till his death in 1859.” However,
he remained a Christian throughout and was always free from indelicacy.
‘Abou Ben Adhem’ belonged to Persia. His original name was
Ibrahim which means the son of Adam. He believed in Sufism, died in 777 and posthumously
earned the title of a Wali which means ‘a
friend of God or holy person.’ The word ‘saint’ is one of its synonyms.
Leigh Hunt’s poem is about love of God and love of humanity. According to him love of humanity is more virtuous than the
love of God because what afflicted humanity needs is not saints but fellowmen who
sympathise provide them requisite
relief.
The poem reads as follows:
ABOU BEN ADHEM (may his tribe increase)
Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace,
And saw, within the moonlight in his room,
Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom,
An Angel writing in a book of gold:
Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold,
And to the Presence in the room he said,
“What writest thou?” The Vision raised its head,
And with a look made of all sweet accord
Answered, “The names of those love the Lord.”
“And is mine one?” said Abou. “Nay, not so,”
Replied the Angel.
Abou spoke more low,
But cheerily still; and said, “I pray thee, then,
Write me as one that loves his fellow men.”
The Angel wrote, and vanished. The next night
It came again with a great wakening light,
And showed the names who, love of God had blessed,
And, lo! Ben Adhem’s name led all the rest!
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23rd June 2022 G.R.Kanwal
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