Poetry Chaikhana
Sacred Poetry from Around the World

Muslim / Sufi

17th Century

Afghanistan

Abdul-Qader Bedil

Timeline (1644 - 1721)

Poems by Abdul-Qader Bedil
Books - Links

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Abdul-Qader Bedil (also written Abd al-Qadir Bidil) is also respectfully referred to as Abu Al-ma'ani ("father of meaning")Bedil.

There are conflicting reports of where Abdul-Qader Bedil was born. Some traditions give his birthplace as Azimabad in present day India, others say he is from Khwaja Rawash in the Kabul region of Afghanistan. There seems little debate, however, that his family originally came from Afghanistan and at some point moved to India as part of the Muslim Moghul court.

Abu Al-ma'ani Bedil wrote extensively -- poetry, philosophy, wisdom stories, and riddles -- and most of his writings remain with us today. He advocated religious tolerance and taught a doctrine the Unity of Being (Wahdat al-Wujud) similar to Ibn Arabi.

Although not widely read in Iran or much of India today, Abu Al-ma'ani Bedil's work has been hugely influential upon Persian Sufi thinkers and poets in Afghanistan, as well as a rich source of material for classical music in the area.

Just as he has two birthplaces, Abu Al-ma'ani Bedil also has two tombs, one in Delhi, India and one in Khwaja Rawash, Afghanistan.

Poems by Abdul-Qader Bedil

	Creation's Witness
	His Living Proof

Recommended Books

Love's Alchemy: Poems from the Sufi Tradition, Translated by David Fideler / Translated by Sabrineh Fideler

Amazon.com

The Ocean of Unity: Wahdat al-wujud in Persian, Turkish, and Malay poetry, by Muhammad Bukhari Lubis

Amazon.com

Related Links:

	Abdul-Qader Bedil - Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdul-Qader_Bedil A brief sketch of the life and writings of Abdul-Qader Bedil.
	Bedil, Rumi Balkhi and Dari Art and Literature http://devoted.to/bedil A very nice site in both Persian and English with a short biography of Bedil and a few verses translated into English.
	Virtual Afghans - Afghan Poetry - Bedil http://www.virtualafghans.com/culture/poetry/bedil/ A quick introduction to Bedil's influences and philosophy.

Please support the Poetry Chaikhana, as well as the authors and publishers of sacred poetry, by purchasing some of the recommended books through the links on this site. Thank you!

Poetry Chaikhana Sacred Poetry from Around the World

Abdul-Qader Bedil

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Poetry Chaikhana
Sacred Poetry from Around the World