Shaaeiri Ki Haqeeqat Aur Maahiyat

("The Reality and Essence of Poetry" is the introductory essay of Allama Shibli Nomani's book *Sher-ul-Ajam*, Volume Four.)     Because poetry is an intuitive phenomenon, it cannot be comprehensively and exclusively defined in just a few words.

Meer Anees Aur Mirza Dabeer Ka Muwaazna

Fann-e-balaaghat

Among the disciplines and arts that Muslims invented entirely on their own, without being indebted to anyone else, is the art of rhetoric (*balaghat*). It is a common misconception—one that I myself held for a long time—that Muslims borrowed this art

Sir Sayyad Marhoom Aur Urdu Literature

Although a spirit of reformation is evident in all of Sir Syed's achievements, one of the things that his reformative touch transformed from a mere speck of dust into a radiant sun is Urdu literature. It is entirely due to Sir Syed that Urdu broke free

Imlaa Aur Sehat-e-alfaaz

A highly respected elder—a renowned Indian writer and a prominent voice in national affairs—has written me a very lengthy letter. In it, he expresses deep regret and complains that the Urdu language is deteriorating day by day due to incompetent writers.

Zeb-un-nisa

During a trip to Bombay, a dear friend who places great trust in English publications showed me an article in the *Indian Magazine and Review* concerning the biography of Zeb-un-Nissa. I was dismayed to find that the entire informational basis of such

Bhaasha, Zabaan Aur Musalmaan

Readers may recall that a prominent Hindu editor recently wrote an article claiming, "Due to religious prejudice, Muslims never paid any attention to Hindi literature and scholarship. If, by chance, someone did, his fellow Muslims branded him an infidel."

Tohfat-ul-hind

Readers may recall that a respected Hindu friend of ours recently published an article in the journal *Urdu-e-Mu'alla*. In it, he expressed a critical lament: despite ruling this country for six hundred years, Muslims never paid any attention to its

Hali-o-shibli Ki Mu'aaseraana Chashmak

The originality of this subject demanded that, regarding our final great literary gathering, no one should be left out. Unfortunately, a lack of source material prevented me from expanding the scope too far. Although the focus of this "banter" remains

Haqaaeq-e-ashyaa aur Maashooq-e-haqeeqi

The path of Sufism diverges so sharply from the beaten track that when a newcomer enters this realm, voices echo in his ears from all sides telling him that whatever he has seen, heard, and understood until today is entirely wrong. However, a lifetime

Maulana Aazad Aur Allama Shibli Nomani

Aadh Ghanta Allama Shibli Ke Sath

The latest work by the eminent professor of our age—the biography of Maulana Rumi—for which our eyes had long been waiting in anticipation, has finally emerged from its veil, and in such a manner that it resembles a "beautiful bride in silken robes." In

Allama Shibli Ka Mahwar Ilmi Risala

Tamaddun-e-arab Aur Professor Shibli