Sayyid Rahatullah Rahat Zakheli (Pashto: راحت زاخيلي), born on 19 February 1883, in Azakhel Bala, Nowshera, Pakistan, was a celebrated Pashto poet, novelist, and journalist. He is recognized as one of the pioneering figures in Pashto prose and journalism, leaving an indelible mark on the language and its literature during the early 20th century.
Early Life and Education Of Rahatullah Rahat Zakheli
Born into the family of Sayyeds, Rahat Zakheli was named Rahatullah by his father, Syed Farihullah, in 1884. His early education took place within his family, where he was taught the basics of Arabic grammar and syntax. Rahat Zakheli’s life took a poignant turn with the passing of his younger brother, Syed Shafqatullah, which stirred his poetic soul and led him to compose numerous Persian and Arabic ghazals, expressing his grief and longing.
Literary Journey and Achievements
Rahat Zakheli’s literary career flourished as he became actively involved in Pashto literature and journalism. He published the first Pashto novel, Mah Rukh, in 1912, a groundbreaking work that cemented his place as a pioneer in Pashto literary history. His subsequent short story, Kunda Jinai (1917), gained significant popularity, earning him recognition as the author of the first Pashto short story.
Rahat Zakheli’s literary talents were not confined to Pashto alone; he was proficient in multiple languages, including Urdu, Arabic, and Persian. His translations of Shikwa and Jawab-e-Shikwa, the famous works of Allama Muhammad Iqbal, into Pashto won him acclaim and earned him the title of “Afghani Iqbal.” Another notable contribution was his translation of Sheikh Saadi’s Gulistan into Pashto in 1923, which further established his legacy as a literary translator.
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Contributions to Journalism
Rahat Zakheli also made notable contributions to journalism. In 1911, he launched Afghan, the first Pashto weekly newspaper. Later, he started Staray Ma She (meaning “welcome” or “greetings” in Pashto) in 1930, although it was banned by British authorities after a year due to its nationalist content. He continued his journalistic pursuits post-independence, editing the Pashto section of the newspaper Shahbaz in 1948, where he continued to promote Pashto language and culture.
Exploration of Faith and Spirituality
During his lifetime, Rahat Zakheli had an intriguing encounter with Christianity through Dr. Lancaster, a European missionary. Under Dr. Lancaster’s influence, he delved into Christian texts but ultimately found them intellectually unsatisfying, prompting him to return to Islamic studies and commit his life to writing and learning about Islam.
List of Pashto-Language Poets
Legacy and Scholarly Recognition
Rahat Zakheli’s contributions to Pashto literature have been the subject of significant scholarly interest. Researchers like Dr. Hanif Khalil, M. Zarin Anzoor, and Dr. Qadar Wahid have examined his work, particularly focusing on his role as the first Pashto novelist. Their analyses have sparked debates on the origins of the Pashto novel, with some scholars challenging prior claims and advocating for Rahat Zakheli as the true pioneer of the genre.
Rahat Zakheli passed away on 29 May 1963, at the age of 80, in his native village of Azakhel Bala. His poetic legacy endures, with one of his verses capturing the essence of his enduring influence:
که په قبر کې مي زړه هم ټوپ وهلی لېونتوبه زه به هله ستا قایل وې
(If my heart was beating in the grave, madness, I would have believed you)
Rahatullah Rahat Zakheli’s legacy as a visionary poet, novelist, and journalist remains a cornerstone of Pashto literature, inspiring future generations to explore and celebrate the richness of the Pashto language and its literary heritage.
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