“Alif Allah Chambey Di Booty” is perhaps the most famous Abyaat (couplet series) by the Sultan of Saints, Hazrat Sultan Bahoo. In this ecstatic Punjabi Kalam, the “Alif” (the first letter of Allah’s name) is compared to a jasmine seedling planted in the heart by a spiritual master. Every stanza ends with the signature “Hoo” (He), representing the Divine presence that vibrates through the seeker’s soul.
Spiritual Echoes: The Garden of the Heart
Sultan Bahoo’s vision of Divine cultivation resonates with other masters on our platform:
- On Divine Planting: The metaphor of planting the Name of Allah in the heart is mirrored by Bulleh Shah, who speaks of the seeds of Ishq taking root.
- On the Vision of the Heart: Bahoo’s desire for the “body to become eyes” (Tan mera chashman howay) finds a deep parallel in Pir Mehr Ali Shah’s longing for the constant Didar (Vision) of the Beloved.
الف اللہ چنبے دی بوٹی
من مرشد وچ لائی ہو
نفی اثبات دا پانی ملیا
ہر رگے ہر جائی ہو
Alif Allah chambe di booty
Murshad man vich layi hoo
Nafi asbaat da paani miliya
Har ragay har jayi hoo
My master has planted in my heart the Jasmine seedling of Allah’s Name
It was nourished with the water of ‘Negation and Affirmation’
This water reached every vein and every corner of my being
The fragrance of the Divine began to bloom within.
بوٹی اندر مشک مچایا
تے جان پھولن تے آئی ہو
جیوے مرشد کامل باھو
جہن اے بوٹی لائی ہو
Booty andar mushk machaya
Te jaan phulan te aayi hoo
Jeeway murshad kamil Bahoo
Jehan ay booty layi hoo
The plant has spread a powerful musk within me
My soul has reached the peak of its blossoming
Long live my perfect spiritual guide, O Bahoo
Who planted this seedling of love in my heart.
ایہہ تن میرا چشماں ہووے
تے مرشد ویکھ نہ رجاں ہو
لوں لوں دے موھڈ لاکھ لاکھ چشماں
اک کھولاں تے اک کجاں ہو
Eh tan mera chashman howay
Te murshad vekh na rajjan hoo
Loon loon de mudh lakh lakh chashman
Ek kholan te ek kajjan hoo
Would that my whole body turned into eyes
So that I may gaze upon my Master and never be satiated
May there be millions of eyes in every pore of my skin
As I open one, I would close another in pure ecstasy.
اتنیاں ڈھڈیاں مینوں چین نہ آوے
تے میں کدھے ول بھیجاں ہو
مرشد دا دیدار ہے باھو
مینوں لاکھ کروڑ حجاں ہو
Etnaan dihdyaan mainu chain na aaway
Tey kidhey wal pajaan hoo
Murshad da deedar hai Bahoo
Meinu lakh karooran hajaan hoo
Even after seeing so much, I find no rest
Where else should I run to find peace?
For me, O Bahoo, a single glimpse of my Master
Is equal to millions and billions of Pilgrimages.
Listen: Alif Allah Chambey Di Booty
Version: Arif Lohar & Meesha Shafi (Coke Studio)
Version: Sain Zahoor Ahmed
Vocabulary: Alif Allah Chambe Di Booty
- Chambe di Booty: The Jasmine plant (metaphor for Divine Love).
- Nafi Asbaat: The ‘No’ (La) and ‘Yes’ (Illallah) of the Kalima.
- Mushk: Fragrance/Musk.
- Kajjan: To cover or hide.
- Deedar: Spiritual vision or sight.