Shah Abdul Karim of Bulrri
(1531-1622)

Dr. Badruddin Ujan, a noted scholar & former civil servant has started contributing a series of research based articles on well known politico-religious figures of bye gone era. This being the sixth part of the series of high class writeups.

Shah Abdul Karim son of Syed Lal Muhammad Shah was born in Matiari, Taluka Hala on 20^th January, 1538. His father died when he was still a boy. His mother and elder brother thus looked after him.

He was sent to Maktab , but he could not find it fruitful for him, because at that time Molvi Saheb was less interested in imparting education but he was more inclined towards manual work. He used to send his disciples to the forest to fetch timber for kitchen etc. Besides there were two major defects in education system of that time. Firstly, the aim of education was to catch government jobs; secondly, medium of instruction was Persian and Arabic. Hence genius people thought that this type of education is of no use. This reflects the system of education at that time and thus Shah Karim was able to learn two chapters of Holy Quran only and left the Maktab in the middle.

It is said that young Shah Karim had his soul alive. He tried to nourish his soul through practical means of prayers. He offered prayers in the mosque on the one hand and participated in congregational prayers of singing and remembering God in solitude on the other. He believed in nourishment of soul mare, as compared to getting education in any institution under such circumstances.

In his daily life Shah Karim adopted the principle of practicability. He used to work in the forest and earned living by tilling the soil. He used to sing poems in rhythm and thus pleased his co-workers and they liked him very much.

Shah Karim was against marriage. He considered it hindrance in achieving the desired goals. But one day, he was sitting among his friends that his elder brother came and took him to home, where a Molvi and some people were present and his Nikah was performed. Though Shah Karim was unwilling, but even then he served his family properly.

It is stated that Makhdoom Noah was his spiritual leader. He has learnt much from his teachings.

Shah Karim’s life is a precedent for us. He used to serve human beings day and night. Social service was his motto. He used to offer prayers regularly. He worked in the field as a farmer in order to win bread. He looked after his house hold affairs. During night he used to walk and look after mosques and tombs in the vicinity and meet the needy persons. He never sat idle. We are told that he was very poor. On many occasions he slept without eating anything.

Due to life long struggle, prayers and Fasting, his body has grown weak. Even then, if any one approached him, he helped him as far as he could. Shah Karim passed his last days of life in seclusion. At the age of 88, he left this world in the year 1622. His tombs is in Bulri, village; which was constructed through the efforts of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai, who was his next grand son. People come and celebrate anniversary annually and a big Fair is arranged there.

Shah Karim was a kind-hearted and God-fearing man. He was always helpful to the needy. He was simple in appearance, in dress and in diet. He was famous for his hospitality. He has no anger or fury in him. He was kind and merciful to all human beings, irrespective of caste or sect.

There is a form of prayer known as SAMAO , which means direct connection of soul with God, by forgetting worldly existence for some time. He used to attend that prayer with many others, so as to purify and nourish the soul.

Shah Karim could not get formal education. But it is said that he was well-versed in spiritual knowledge and thus he was able to reveal the secrets of this Universe. He remembered poems of many poets. He was strictly follower of religion commandments and observed Shariah, completely.

The political conditions in Sindh, during the days the Shah Karim were so worse that they cannot be revealed. Because they need space as well as courage to listen. Sindh was not a place to live in, but it has been transformed into quagmire of blood and corpses. The fuel was added to the fire when war broke between Mirza Fssa and Mohammad Bokhari. The Portuguese of Goa attacked Thatta, they robbed and set everything on fire. The cruelties of Mirza Baqi and highhandedness of Mirza Jani Beg. The attacks of Mohammad Sadiq and A. Rahim Khan Khana. This was account of political turmoil and tension of Sindh in nutshell. The people were under constant fear and terror. There was no other alternative to boost up the morale of the people except Sufistic approach to the pangs of life of men. Shah Karim gave this message through his poetry to the people, so as to renovate and revive the morale of them.

Looking at the above conditions, what to speak of literature? Persian was the language of ’Arghuns’, who were the victors. They wanted to root out and replace Sindhi language and literature with their language and literature. A few people obeyed their order and owned Persian. We get certain books in prose and poetry during that era.

Shah Karim was inclined towards poetry right from his teens. He used to sing rhythmically among his friends. His songs were appreciated by all. In his book, Bayan-ul-Arfeen , we get many proverbs and sayings alongwith his ninety two poems. Some of his contemporaries were; Makhdoom Pir Mohd Lakhvi, Makhdoom Noah, Syed Ali Sang Thatvi, Shah Khairdin Gilani of Sukkur, Syed Haroon, Fazul Bakhri and others.

Selections from Shah Karim s poetry is as under:

In one of his poems he tells us about the limited knowledge of a human being. The knowledge of a man is limited in this wide world of knowledge. He gives us a n example of an ant, lying in a well, guesses that the periphery of that well is the world only, whereas the world becomes vast and wide when one comes out from that well, which is a symbol of limited learning.

One of his single proverbial line consists deep philosophy. He tells us that unless one is not taking personal interest in any problem, it is not possible to get it accomplished.

Shah Karim believed in struggle and hard work. He has opposed the idea of idleness. He says that remembrance of God does not mean ignoring of labour and physical work, which is equally necessary for living.

The poet has beautifully explained the notion of guidance. He says that if a man is unable to find solution of his problem. Then it is better to get guidance and achieve the goal instead of sitting confused.

A pastoral poet like Shah Karim, has explained the same idea in one of his poems, which later on A. Pope has portrayed by saying, “Drink deep or taste not the pierian spring.” Shah Karim is of the opinion that lovers of knowledge are always in search of deep waters, they do not enjoy in shallow waters.

The poetry of Shah Karim has become a book of guidance for his successors. It is said that Shah Abdul Latif is much influenced by him. Thus we can say that he is the originator in the field of poetry. That is why Dr. U. M. Daudpota has called him the Chaucer of Sindhi literature. Because he has given thought content and guideline for coming generations.  

(Dr. Badar Ujan is a noted Sindhi intellectual & a retired Civil servant).