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Essay / The demonstration of Sufism in The Conference of the Birds, a poem by Farid Ud-din Attar
This poem dramatizes the conflict between knowing that there is a God and being one with God. In Farid Ud-Din Attar's poem The Conference of the Birds, the birds are looking for a king and feel that their nation needs some form of leadership. To find God, they battle mystery, poverty, and more to come to the conclusion that they are God. This is an example of Sufism, a Muslim belief whose followers seek to find divine truth and love through direct encounters with God. The poet describes Sufism through his unique writing style and use of syntax. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay This is a religion-based Islamic poem that follows the aabbcc rhyme scheme and ten syllables per line. Attar took his time writing this poem to truly detail Sufism and all its beauty. At times the poem displays the qualities of a soliloquy. For example, in lines fifty-five and fifty-six, when the Simorgh says "The journey was in me, the deeds were mine--/ You slept securely in the innermost sanctuary of Being", but continues then saying in line sixty-two, "You find in Me the selves you were before." » It's almost as if there was a creation of birds since God speaks to them, and yet they are God. The fact that the poet decides to name God “Simorgh” is an example of Sufism. Simorgh literally translates to "thirty birds", with "Si" meaning "thirty" and "morgh" being the Persian word for "birds". Attar clearly shows that birds are God but still mysterious at the same time. Almost like the lives of individuals. God makes it clear that He is there for His people, but this can sometimes be hidden by trials and troubles. The birds go through their journey and do not realize that they are protected by the Most High. By focusing on lines fifty-one through sixty-two of “The Birds Discover the Simorgh,” the reader is able to summarize Sufism in a more general form. Lines fifty-five and fifty-six describe how God puts them through many trials, but he protects them while doing so. It reinforces the idea that even if life isn't always wonderful, you are taken care of. Lines fifty-seven and fifty-eight explain how they came in the form of thirty birds, but only see God when they see themselves. In Sufism, finding oneness with God is finding oneself and Attar captured this in his poem. The Simorgh goes on to say in lines fifty-nine through sixty-two: "The Simorgh, the last flawless jewel of Truth, the light/ In which you will be lost to mortal sight,/ Scattered in nothingness until that once again/ You find in Me the self that you were before. These lines explain that in death you find God, who is a new form of yourself. The paradise of the Sufists is not the modern paradise that we believe. In Sufist belief, heaven is simply the realization that everything is God and an expression of His love. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a custom paper now from our expert writers. Get a Custom Essay The poem comes to an end. with the statement: “The substance of their being was destroyed/And they were lost like the shadow before the sun.” » Once the birds realize that they are one with God, they die and go to where they live with God again. The poem ends with: “The Simorgh stopped speaking and silence reigned..