is a commanding, authoritative collection which is 'neither fish nor fowl' - not strictly a literary poetry collection; but incorporating the best strategies and powerful language of free verse into a wider-ranging celebration of and tribute to Islam and those who have walked its path to change the world as well as their own hearts and minds.
Very highly recommended for those with prior background in the faith who seek a blend of inspiration, history, admonition, and explanation all packaged into a lyrical tribute that virtually sings of human efforts to embrace God.
SECTION 2:
Diane Donovan, Editor, California Bookwatch, USA, 2017:
Enthused Verses: A Lyrical Catalog of Religion, Philosophy & Spirituality offers Western readers a rare combination of poetry and reflections on Islamic spiritual and Muslim social concepts using a range of precise, intricate topics. These range from what it takes to become a Rumi to the paradoxes, uncertainties, and meanings of enlightenment.
If this sounds like a weighty read, it should be advised that Enthused Verses, while thought-provoking, is anything but dense. The poems challenge readers to pay attention and think, but they are not inaccessible and use free verse poetry to bridge disparate worlds.
One good example of this process is ‘Enlightenment’, which moves from the paradox of science and the various scientific disciplines which have attempted to define mankind’s pursuits to the real meaning of awakening as it moves from science to broader human endeavors: “Science devoid of emotions ends in relentlessness/inviting nothing but lack of human finesse/In the waves of its times, Philosophy drowns/leaving serious thinkers looking like clowns/Psychology mocks man’s dignity/ascribing acts to ego’s affinity/Art’s reliance on only feelings/is a medicine without healing…”
The message and strength of poems provide much food for thought into various aspects of Islamic religious and social thinking: “It is said that one should submit to a Shaykh for inner purification/Yet there’s not a single verse in the Qur’an stating it as an obligation.”
By pairing these concepts with a free verse delivery system, Aadil Farook succeeds in capturing the subtler nuances of Islam and sentiments of much of the Muslim world, offering Westerners many contemplative passages that are enlightening.
SECTION 3:
Ghulam Sabir, Chairman, Iqbal Academy Scandinavia, Denmark, 2012
“I am not a poet but I developed a taste of poetic language after reading Iqbal, Rumi, Hafiz Shirazi and some of the Western poets. Aadil Farook contacted me and requested just to read his poem at page 62, “The Ummah’s Cry”. However I have gone through his whole book, “A bard from the East”. As a result I am surprised not because a young Pakistani of 29 could have such feelings for his country and people but because the education system in Pakistan is so hopeless. I could never imagine to emerge from this soil a talent like him. This young man has changed my desperation into hopefulness. His following verses have touched my heart;
Let He await your return
Whether you yearn for it or not
Let Him embrace your being
Whether you earned it or not
I noticed that my eyes were wet when I ended the last verse of this poem. Aadil seems to have been inspired by Iqbal, the poet-philosopher of the East. Aadil’s book is a marvelous piece of literature rather an addition to English Poetics. For Pakistan, this boy is an asset. I am proud of him. I may add that the book is wonderful and worth reading particularly for the younger generation, so that some of them may be able to catch the right path after getting inspired from some of the insights of Aadil Farook and are able to dive into the ocean of the Self to be able one day to serve humanity”.
Preface
I have neither read poetry nor learned it. Yet I am a big admirer of its exponents because they can say in one line for which a writer may require many pages. I neither know nor care for the rules of English Literature. My only exposure is constructive, meaningful, mature and beautiful lyrics from great songs I have heard since childhood. In the Islamic worldview, art is not an end in itself but rather a means towards a higher purpose. I am not exactly a poet and don’t have any aspiration to be one – I am a young man with a cause, a mission. My genre is religio-philosophical. Some of my writings may be only relevant for Muslims, some for all believers and some for all human beings. My works may not be read for pleasure alone but to understand bigger issues of life at a deeper level. Elucidation of important themes and relevant topics of concern is the goal. As long as I provoke people to enter into their intellectual and spiritual domains, I am not bothered if the literary gurus criticize my works on the basis of expression rather than thought, style instead of meaning, delivery and not content because they wrongly consider art for art’s sake. What is the use of flowery language without answers to questions for a seeker of knowledge? I consider myself an instrument the Divine Consciousness uses to convey vital messages.
Substantial work has already been done on Islam in Urdu & Persian poetry, especially by Iqbal and Rumi. Similarly too many books on Islam can be found in English prose. But there have been very few poets of Islam who used English as an original language - that is what makes my book worthy of being counted. I dream of the day when it will reside on the bedside of innumerable people throughout the world. I am not an idealist but, at the age of 36, only optimism yields positivity. Since it is God who blessed me with both a talent for writing verses and the gift of insightful reflection, it is only inevitable that I invest my time, energy and ability for His sake!
The Existential Narration
Is life a supreme puzzle?
Is it an unsolved riddle?
Is it really a gift from God
or a test that cuts like a sword?
Is it actually the conquest of evil
or virtue's manifestation in few people?
Is it the nurture of intellect in minds
or disclosure of emotions of all kinds?
Is it the drama that is simply too real
or the gradual opening of fate's seal?
Is it as organized as empirical Science
or a random set of events with no signs?
Is it mere occurrence of tragedies for the pure?
Does it have an equalizer after its tenure?
Isn't throughout history havoc been played?
Is it worth the price that was paid?
