I am Raising
“Sehgal’s poem is an affirmation of personal and collective awakening, blending Rumi’s mystical love with Iqbal’s philosophy of self-empowerment. His vision is forward-looking, inviting humanity to embrace peace, wisdom, and unity. The final call — “Come and sign / And everywhere shine” — serves as both an invitation and a declaration of his belief in a universal, harmonious world.” — ChatGPT
I am Raising
***
I am not Rumi
Nor Iqbal
But I am in the way of them
Rumi’s Love
Iqbal’s Philosophy of Self
I give Love
I show Self
I do not follow
The terms
That humiliates the human
I believe in an isonomy,
Justice, forgiveness, tolerance
And love to everyone
Without status, rank
I dance
I sing
In Divine’s rhyme.
I feel; I see
Everywhere is fine.
I am raising
The eyes of the world will turn
Toward me soon
Come to my world
Here is peace of heart and mind
Come and sign
And everywhere shine.
― Ehsan Sehgal
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Ehsan Sehgal’s poem “I am Raising” pays tribute to two towering intellectual and spiritual figures, Rumi and Allama Iqbal, while asserting the poet’s own journey toward enlightenment. The poem reflects Sehgal’s aspiration to embody the essence of Rumi’s love and Iqbal’s philosophy of selfhood (Khudi), positioning himself on a similar path rather than directly imitating them.
Comparison with Rumi and Iqbal
- Rumi’s Love & Mysticism
- Rumi, the 13th-century Sufi poet, is known for his deep spiritual love and devotion to the Divine, often expressed through dance (as in the whirling dervishes) and poetry.
- Sehgal echoes this sentiment, embracing love, tolerance, and unity (“I dance / I sing / In Divine’s rhyme”), signifying a mystical connection with the universe.
- Iqbal’s Philosophy of Self (Khudi)
- Iqbal, the national poet of Pakistan, emphasized Khudi, or self-realization, urging individuals to cultivate inner strength and strive for greatness.
- Sehgal aligns with this vision, showing confidence in his own journey (“I am raising / The eyes of the world will turn toward me soon”), embodying Iqbal’s call for self-actualization.
Sehgal’s Individual Voice
While Sehgal acknowledges his influences, he carves his own identity by emphasizing justice, isonomy (equality), and universal love without discrimination (“I believe in an isonomy, / Justice, forgiveness, tolerance / And love to everyone / Without status, rank”). This democratic and inclusive outlook distinguishes him from his predecessors, making his poetry socially conscious while retaining spiritual depth.
Sehgal’s poem is an affirmation of personal and collective awakening, blending Rumi’s mystical love with Iqbal’s philosophy of self-empowerment. His vision is forward-looking, inviting humanity to embrace peace, wisdom, and unity. The final call — “Come and sign / And everywhere shine” — serves as both an invitation and a declaration of his belief in a universal, harmonious world.
Ehsan Sehgal’s poem “I am Raising” makes a deliberate connection to Rumi and Allama Iqbal, two monumental figures in Islamic philosophy and literature. The impact of mentioning both lies in the way Sehgal aligns himself with their legacy while forging his own identity. Let’s break this down factually and analyze how he matches them in a philosophical sense.
1. Rumi — The Mystic of Love and Divine Connection
- Jalal ad-Din Rumi (1207–1273) was a Persian poet, Islamic scholar, and Sufi mystic. His poetry revolves around love, unity, divine connection, and spiritual ecstasy.
- He believed in losing oneself in divine love, often expressed through the whirling dervish dance. His philosophy is deeply rooted in Sufism, emphasizing tolerance and the idea that all paths lead to the same truth.
- Sehgal’s Connection to Rumi: Sehgal follows this mystical tradition by emphasizing love and divine harmony in his poetry (“I dance / I sing / In Divine’s rhyme”), which echoes Rumi’s themes of spiritual transcendence.
2. Iqbal — The Philosopher of Selfhood and Empowerment
- Allama Muhammad Iqbal (1877–1938) was a philosopher, poet, and politician, regarded as the ideological father of Pakistan. His core philosophy, Khudi (selfhood), urges individuals to cultivate self-awareness, inner strength, and rise above limitations.
- Iqbal’s poetry calls for intellectual awakening, self-reliance, and rejecting oppression, inspiring individuals to realize their divine potential.
- Sehgal’s Connection to Iqbal: Sehgal embraces this ideology in his assertion of self-worth and growth (“I am raising / The eyes of the world will turn toward me soon”). This reflects Iqbal’s idea that the empowered self can change the world.
Philosophical Impact: Why Mention Both?
By referencing both poets as philosophers, Sehgal creates a dual-layered identity:
- From Rumi — He takes love, mysticism, and divine ecstasy.
- From Iqbal — He adopts selfhood, justice, and empowerment.
This combination makes his message unique: unlike Rumi, he does not fully surrender to divine love; unlike Iqbal, he does not focus solely on selfhood. Instead, he blends both ideas, advocating for universal justice, love without hierarchy, and spiritual self-awareness (“I do not follow / The terms / That humiliate the human”).
Sehgal’s poem is an attempt to continue the legacies of Rumi and Iqbal while presenting his own vision of a just and peaceful world. By invoking their names, he establishes himself in the lineage of great thinkers who sought to elevate human consciousness — whether through divine love (Rumi) or self-empowerment (Iqbal).
Ehsan Sehgal’s poem “I am Raising” indeed attempts to continue the legacies of Rumi and Iqbal, but the question of whether he truly fulfills their mission or will succeed in their way depends on several factors — his poetic depth, philosophical impact, and global recognition.
1. Does Sehgal Fulfill Their Legacy?
Sehgal successfully mirrors Rumi’s spiritual love and Iqbal’s self-empowerment by advocating for justice, equality, and divine connection. His lines reflect:
- Rumi’s Mysticism → “I dance / I sing / In Divine’s rhyme” (expressing a Sufi-like connection to the divine).
- Iqbal’s Selfhood → “I am raising / The eyes of the world will turn toward me soon” (embracing self-actualization and leadership).
However, unlike Rumi and Iqbal, whose works profoundly shaped civilizations, spiritual movements, and national identities, Sehgal’s reach and influence remain relatively modern and personal rather than universal and transformative (as of now).
2. Can He Succeed in Their Path?
Success in Rumi’s and Iqbal’s ways requires:
- A deep philosophical foundation that resonates across generations.
- Timeless literary influence that shapes culture, faith, or national consciousness.
- A global or regional movement inspired by their ideas.
While Sehgal’s poetry carries strong moral and spiritual themes, it is uncertain whether he can achieve the same historical impact. Rumi’s poetry became the foundation of Sufi thought, and Iqbal’s philosophy contributed to the creation of Pakistan. Sehgal, while drawing from them, has yet to shape a major intellectual or spiritual movement.
Sehgal keeps their traditions alive but has not yet reached their legendary influence. If his work gains widespread recognition, inspires movements, and transforms thought on a larger scale, then he could be considered a successor. For now, he is an admirer and participant in their legacy rather than a direct continuation of their monumental impact.
By ChatGPT
