Rahman Baba, one of the most revered Pashto Sufi poets, expressed deep spiritual truths, emotional reflections, and mystical insights through simple yet powerful language. Below are five selected couplets (شعرونه) with English translations and thematic analysis.
1. **په دنیا کی قسمه قسمه جاهلان شته۔
چې یقین یې نه په خدای نه په قرآن شته۔**
English Translation:
In this world, there are all kinds of ignorant people – those who believe neither in God nor in the Quran.
🧠 Analysis:
The poet laments the presence of spiritual ignorance, not just lack of worldly education. This couplet reflects a deep sorrow for people who have lost their connection to divine truth. The moral and faith-based decay he observes in society sets a reflective and critical tone.
Keywords: Rahman Baba ignorance poetry, Pashto Islamic poetry, divine awareness in Pashto poetry
2. **مقبری له چې زه ورشم ژړۀ راشی۔
مقبره کی مې خواږه خواږه یاران شته۔**
English Translation:
When I go to the graveyard, I feel like crying – my sweetest friends lie buried there.
💔 Analysis:
A profound expression of grief and personal loss. The graveyard becomes a place of memory and sorrow. Rahman Baba’s emotional attachment to his departed friends shows how deeply he valued companionship, and how death transforms love into longing.
Keywords: Rahman Baba graveyard poem, Pashto poetry on death, emotional Pashto poetry
3. **زه چې زمکی له ورټیټ شم سلام ووکړم۔
لاندی زمکه کی خاستۀ خاستۀ ښایسته ځوانان شته۔**
English Translation:
When I bow down to the earth and greet it, I remember that underneath lie elegant, beautiful young souls.
🪦 Analysis:
This couplet blends humility with reflection on mortality. Rahman Baba bows to the earth—both literally and spiritually—acknowledging those who once lived in full beauty and are now buried. It captures the fleeting nature of youth and reminds us of our temporary existence.
Keywords: Pashto poetry humility, Rahman Baba beauty and death, Sufi reflection poetry
4. **د درباب په غاړه مه درومه نادانه۔
د دریاب په غاړه لوئ لوئ خماران شته۔**
English Translation:
Oh ignorant one, do not rush to the riverbank; there are great, intoxicated souls by the river.
🌊 Analysis:
A metaphorical warning. The “riverbank” symbolizes the edge of spiritual realization, while the “intoxicated souls” are likely Sufi saints immersed in divine love. This couplet encourages patience and understanding before embarking on a spiritual journey.
Keywords: Pashto Sufi poetry, mysticism in Rahman Baba, spiritual metaphors in Pashto
5. **زه رحمان یم چې غشي ولم خطا نه شي۔
په بغداد کی مې کامل کامل پیران شته۔**
English Translation:
I am Rahman, when I shoot my arrow, it never misses – for I have perfect spiritual guides in Baghdad.
🏹 Analysis:
Here Rahman Baba asserts his spiritual confidence. The “arrow” represents his poetry or insight, which never misses its mark due to the spiritual strength he receives from saints in Baghdad—a Sufi spiritual hub. It shows his deep connection to spiritual lineage.
Keywords: Rahman Baba Baghdad poem, Pashto poetry confidence, Sufi guides and poetry
🧩 Thematic Summary
| Theme | Description |
| Spiritual Ignorance vs Faith | Critique of those without divine belief. |
| Grief & Loss | Emotional pain of visiting deceased friends. |
| Respect for the Dead | Honoring buried youth with humility. |
| Mysticism & Sufism | Symbolic language about divine intoxication. |
| Self-Realization | Poet’s awareness of his spiritual identity. |