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Sky Bound Journeys: A Spiritual lesson for Seekers of Allah
Since the dawn of time, humanity has embarked on a quest for a place where peace, truth, and righteousness reign supreme. This search is, in essence, a soul’s journey, which was imprisoned in a physical body from the Divine world and has been restless since eternity to return to its origin. However, the soul becomes entangled in worldly attachments due to the constant conflict between good and evil within human beings, causing it to lose its way. On one side is the Divine light of the soul that draws towards Allah, and on the other side is the darkness of the self that inclines it towards worldly pleasures, pride, and lust.
The Spiritual Quest
Shaikh Fariduddin Attar’s renowned Persian work, “The Migration of the Birds,” serves as a mirror to this spiritual search, where different birds embody various moral, psychological, and spiritual qualities of human beings. Each bird, in its own nature, represents the diverse emotions and aspects of the soul within a person. In this allegory, various birds decide to make Simorgh, a mythical bird symbolizing spiritual enlightenment, their king. Under the guidance of the hoopoe, they embark on a journey to find Simorgh, each facing their own challenges and demonstrating their unique courage, dedication, and effort.
However, upon learning about the arduous paths ahead, some birds start making excuses for their own limitations and try to escape the journey. Nevertheless, the hoopoe, whom all the birds have appointed as their mentor and spiritual guide, rejects their excuses with compelling arguments, rendering their excuses meaningless and weak. The hoopoe explains to the birds the path to Simorgh, which represents the gnosis of Allah. Although Simorgh is seemingly inaccessible, and the journey is fraught with difficulties, the hoopoe encourages them that without seeking Simorgh, life remains incomplete.
From Enthusiasm to Excuses
All the birds initially showed enthusiasm for seeing Simorgh, but when the hoopoe mentioned the difficulties of the journey, their zeal cooled down, and some birds gave up their search, citing various excuses. Similarly, humans often claim to seek the path of Allah, but when faced with challenges, their resolve weakens, and they seem to forget that true guidance lies with a Perfect Spiritual Guide. For a person, everything is useless except the Divine Vision. A person seeks peace in every place but often fails to pursue the true path due to worldly responsibilities and distractions.
Even humans possess an element of the bird’s nature that prevents them from following the path of truth. When the hoopoe mentioned the search for the right path, many birds offered excuses, which are exemplified below through the stories of various birds.
Nightingale
The nightingale, renowned for its melodious voice and delicate temperament, declines to join the path of truth, saying, “I am captivated by the rose’s beauty; its fragrance, delicacy, and color have consumed me entirely.” The hoopoe responds, “The rose you adore will soon wither, and your love is tied to a fragile thread. True love seeks eternal beauty, not fleeting attractions. If you genuinely yearn for love, look beyond the temporary and seek the eternal beauty of Simorgh.”
This exchange highlights a common human tendency: we often become overly attached to worldly relationships and material beauty, forgetting the eternal and spiritual nature of true love. We struggle to maintain relationships with loved ones, fearing abandonment or rejection. However, we forget that the most profound relationship is between humans and Allah, who exists eternally.
What prevents us from seeking the path of truth?
When seeking the path of truth, we often offer excuses, just like the nightingale, and turn away from the journey when faced with challenges or responsibilities. We forget that true self-realization lies within, not in external beauty or attachments. The story of the nightingale teaches us that love can be aimless and boundless if it’s solely focused on sensory experiences. In contrast, when love is directed towards spiritual growth and self-realization, it leads to profound spiritual purity and enlightenment.
Parrot
The parrot, with its vibrant plumage and clever tongue, claims to be self-sufficient in its spiritual journey. When the hoopoe invites the parrot to seek Simorgh, it proudly declares, “I’m like Khidr; I don’t need guidance.” The hoopoe responds, “If you’re truly like Khidr, why are you confined to a cage? Khidr’s journey is towards Allah, while yours seems to be stuck in complacency.”
This exchange highlights the parrot’s lack of spiritual depth, despite its outward appearance of intelligence and knowledge. The parrot’s claim to be like Khidr is actually an excuse to avoid the journey of truth. This behavior is reflective of individuals who, after acquiring superficial knowledge, claim spiritual superiority and independence. They often use knowledge to assert their ego rather than to genuinely seek spiritual growth.
How can one embody the journey towards Divine reality?
In our society, people often adopt religion, Sufism, or worldly knowledge to showcase their intellectual or spiritual prowess, rather than to genuinely seek self-improvement. They confuse external displays of knowledge with true spiritual understanding. The parrot’s story illustrates that true liberation and knowledge come from embracing the spiritual journey, not from claiming spiritual superiority. The real Khidr is not the one who claims knowledge, but the one who embodies the journey towards Divine reality.
Peacock
When invited to seek Simorgh, the peacock gently declines, spreading his vibrant wings. He yearns to return to paradise, from which he was expelled due to a past mistake. The peacock’s focus is fixated on regaining his lost glory, and he becomes mired in regret and worldly splendor.
The hoopoe advises the peacock, “Your past experience in paradise is not your true destination. The real goal is Simorgh, which surpasses that paradise. Holding onto past regrets hinders your spiritual growth.” This exchange highlights the peacock’s â and often humanity’s â tendency to become stuck in the past, nostalgic for lost experiences or opportunities.
How can individuals transform their losses into victories?
Many people get caught up in reminiscing about past spiritual experiences or good deeds, rather than focusing on the present moment and future growth. They may become mired in regret or nostalgia, failing to recognize that true progress lies ahead. Real success is achieved by acknowledging one’s current situation, reflecting on one’s heart, and embarking on a journey of truth and devotion. By doing so, individuals can transform their losses into victories and cultivate genuine spiritual growth.
Duck
The duck, dwelling near water, believes it has found peace, purity, and salvation. When invited to seek Simorgh, it replies, “I live in water, and it purifies me. I’m already pure, so I don’t need this journey.”
The hoopoe gently advises, “Water can cleanse external impurities, but only Divine love and the search for truth can purify the heart and remove attachment and pride. Complacency will prevent you from diving into the ocean of spiritual reality.”
Beyond Outward Appearances
This exchange highlights the duck’s â and often humanity’s â tendency to become self-satisfied with outward appearances of purity and righteousness. Some individuals believe that their good deeds and acts of worship are enough, neglecting the importance of heart purity and humility. True spiritual growth requires seeking dedication, courage, and guidance from a Perfect Spiritual Guide. Those who become complacent and think they have reached perfection will miss out on the profound journey of self-discovery and spiritual enlightenment.
Falcon
The falcon, a bird of nobility and power, proudly declines the hoopoe’s invitation to seek Simorgh. “Why should I follow like an ordinary bird?” it says. “I sit on the royal hand, and kings honor me. I possess status, power, and importance.”
The hoopoe responds, “The king you serve is mortal, and the throne will crumble. True honor lies in bowing down to the truth. No matter how high you soar, you’ll ultimately return to dust, just like all others.”
Seeking True Identity
This exchange reflects the human tendency to become enamored with worldly power, status, and prestige. Some individuals believe that their position or fame is the ultimate measure of their worth, and they see no need to seek spiritual truth. However, true greatness lies not in external validation but in recognizing one’s Lord, humbling oneself, and embarking on a journey of truth and self-discovery. By letting go of pride and ego, one can discover their true identity and purpose.
Note:
This is English Translation of Urdu Article ŲūØąŲØŊŲÚš ÚĐÛ ÛØŽØąØŠ that appeared in September 2025 issue of monthly Sultan ul Faqr Magazine. Miss Imamah Sarwari Qadri authored the original article. Rafay Malik Sarwari Qadri has translated it in English.
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11 Thoughts to 'Sky Bound Journeys: A Spiritual lesson for Seekers of Allah'
Waheed Hassan
29/10/2025 at 1:12 pmGreat article
Zahid Anjum Siddiqui
29/10/2025 at 1:21 pmVery Beautiful âĪïļ And Informative Article
Noreen
29/10/2025 at 3:24 pmNice article
Asmah
29/10/2025 at 7:04 pmVery good article!
Nasir Majeed
30/10/2025 at 6:33 amThe nightingale, renowned for its melodious voice and delicate temperament, declines to join the path of truth, saying, âI am captivated by the roseâs beauty; its fragrance, delicacy, and color have consumed me entirely.â
Saman
30/10/2025 at 1:50 pmGreat ð
Salma Tabassum
30/10/2025 at 10:24 pmAmazing article
Ghulam Hussain
31/10/2025 at 8:46 amVery informative and interesting article
Maira Sarfraz
31/10/2025 at 12:18 pmBestest Essay
Ayeshaysq
01/11/2025 at 4:41 amVery informative
Mahroo
01/11/2025 at 7:55 pmBest article