Baba Bulleh Shah - Who knows who I am?

Art Shahram Soltani

Not a believer in the mosque am I, Nor a disbeliever with his rites am I. I am not the pure amongst the impure, Neither Moses nor Pharaoh am I. Bulleh, who knows who I am?

Not in the holy books am I, Nor do I dwell in bhang or wine, Nor do I live in a drunken haze, Nor in sleep nor waking known. Bulleh, who knows who I am?

Not in happiness or in sorrow am I found. I am neither pur nor mired in filthy ground. Neither made from earth nor water, Nor am I in air or fire to be found. Bulleh, who knows who I am?

Not an Arab nor Lahori, Not a Hindi or Nagouri, Nor a Muslim or Peshawari, Not a Buddhist or a Christian. Bulleh, who knows who I am?

Secrets of religion have I not unravelled, Nor have I fathomed Eve and Adam. Neither still nor moving on, I have not chosen my own name! Bulleh, who knows who I am?

From first to last, I searched myself. None other did I succeed in knowing. Not some great thinker am I. Who is standing in my shoes, alone? Bulleh, who knows who I am?

— Baba Bulleh Shah – Bulleh, who knows who I am? (Islamic Mystical Poetry: Sufi Verse from the early Mystics to Rumi…)