“Jo Dam Ghafil So Dam Kafir” contains the essence of Hazrat Sultan Bahoo’s spiritual philosophy. In this powerful Abyat, he shares the ultimate lesson taught by his Murshad: that true faith requires the constant remembrance of Allah with every single breath. By mastering the art of “dying before death,” the seeker transcends the physical world to find the true purpose of existence.
جو دم غافل سو دم کافر
سانوں مرشد ایہہ پڑھایا ہُو
سُنیا سخن گیاں کھل اکھیں
اساں چت مولا ول لایا ہُو
Jo Dam Ghafal So Dam Kafar
Sanoon Murshad Aeah Parhaya Hoo
Sunya Sukhan Gyaan Khul Ekhain
Asaan Chit Mola Wal Laya Hoo
Any breath spent in forgetfulness is a breath of a Kafir
This is the profound lesson my Murshad taught me
Upon hearing this word, my inner eyes were opened
And I focused my entire consciousness toward the Lord
کیتی جان حوالے رب دے
اساں ایسا عشق کمایا ہُو
مرن تو اگے مر گئے باہو
تاں مطلب نوں پایا ہُو
Kiti Jaan Hawaley Rab Dai
Asaan Aisa Ishq Kamaya Hoo
Maran Tu Agey Mar Gayey Bahoo
Taan Matlab Noon Paya Hoo
I have surrendered my very soul to the Lord
Such is the intense love that I have cultivated
I died before my physical death, O Bahoo
Only then did I attain the true goal of life
Vocabulary: Jo Dam Ghafil
- Dam: Breath / Moment.
- Ghafil: Forgetful / Heedless.
- Chit: Heart / Mind / Consciousness.
- Maran Tu Agey: To die before death (Sufi concept of annihilating the ego).