About
Wasif Ali Wasif (R.A)
Wasif Ali Wasif (R.A.) (15 January 1929 – 18 January 1993) was a saint of the modern era from Pakistan, well known as an educationist, writer, poet, reformer and mystic intellectual. He was famous for his unique literary style. He used to write short pieces of prose on topics like love, life, fortune, fear, hope, expectation, promise, prayer, happiness, sorrow and so on. Many MPhil and PhD theses have been written at various universities in Pakistan on his life and work. In one of these theses he is described as the Reformist of Pakistan (مصلحِ پاکستان). As a reformist, his work in awakening the nation is considered a continuation of Iqbal’s.
He wrote regular essays, commonly referred to as columns, on a weekly basis in the Pakistani Urdu newspaper Daily Nawa-i-Waqt (نوائے وقت). His first column entitled “Muhabbat” (Love), published in 1984 in the literary section of Nawa-i-Waqt, bewildered many in literary circles. During his lifetime, most of his columns were compiled into books under titles he chose himself: Dil Darya Samundar (دل دریا سمندر), Qatra Qatra Qulzum (قطرہ قطرہ قلزم) and Harf Harf Haqeeqat (حرف حرف حقیقت). Probably no contemporary Urdu writer is more cited in quotations than he is. His aphoristic style of writing has become proverbial and a benchmark in Urdu literature, commonly termed as Wasifian Style of prose writing. He is considered the founder of a new school of thought called Wasfiyaat (واصفیات), a blend of mystic wisdom, ethics and patriotism. He has beautifully amalgamated Pakistanism with mysticism. His mystic teachings, rooted directly in the Shariah (Quran and Hadith), represent the inner core and real essence of Islam. He had a gift for creating a rainbow of meanings with the help of very few droplets of words. He may be considered the pioneer of aphorism in Urdu literature.
His poetic work is available in Urdu and Punjabi languages. His poetry bears classical notes of Sufi traditions. His Naatia Kalam (نعتیہ کلام) is worth mentioning, as it carries notes of love for the Holy Prophet ﷺ as well as prayers for Pakistan; and it has become increasingly popular.
He used to conduct question-answer sessions محفل گفتگو in specially arranged gatherings at Lahore attended by notable intellectuals, writers and seekers of truth from various walks of life. Luckily most of these sessions were recorded in audio and transcriptions of these sessions were later published as the Guftagoo (گفتگو) series. His mehfils never had a pre-set subject nor did he ever deliver sermons on chosen topics. His way was to ask people if they had any questions; and then he used to respond to these queries and curiosities in his highly original style. He was a master at resolving paradoxes of intellect, thought and belief. There are more than 40 books to his credit including prose, poetry and transcripts of his dialogue. His books as well as recordings of talks are a treasure house of wisdom and an ultimate refuge for seekers of truth.
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