Who is Azazeel
عاشِقُ عَزازِيل، ٻيا مِڙَئي سَڌَڙِيا،
مَنجهان سِڪَ سَبِيلَ، لَعنتِي لالُ ٿِئو.
“The only true lover was Azazeel; all others merely yearn.
It was his boundless love that made him the accursed.”
This bait from Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai carries deep mystical and philosophical meaning, challenging conventional religious interpretations.
Who is Azazeel?
Azazeel is often identified with Iblis (Satan) before his fall from divine grace. In Islamic traditions, Azazeel was a devout worshipper and held a high rank among the celestial beings. However, he refused to bow to Adam, leading to his downfall and condemnation as Satan. Shah Latif, like some Sufi thinkers, presents this narrative through a different lens—not as a story of rebellion, but of intense love and devotion that led to exile.
Nuances & Mystical Interpretation:
1. True Love vs. Superficial Yearning
• The verse differentiates between aashiq (true lover) and sadhariya (those who merely desire or yearn).
• In this context, Azazeel is portrayed as the only true lover of God, while all others are seen as seekers but not fully immersed in divine love.
2. Love as a Path to Exile
• “It was his boundless love that made him the accursed.”
• This line suggests that Azazeel’s refusal to bow to Adam was not arrogance but an act of exclusive devotion to God.
• His fall was not a punishment for disobedience but a consequence of absolute, unwavering love.
3. Divine Rejection as a Form of Acceptance
• Sufi traditions sometimes interpret rejection by God as the ultimate test of love.
• Like Majnun for Laila, Ranjha for Heer, or Sohni for Mehar, Azazeel’s rejection becomes his proof of true love.
4. Sufism’s Contrarian View of Iblis
• Some Sufi poets and philosophers, like Mansur Al-Hallaj and Rumi, have presented Iblis as the ultimate monotheist—one who loved God so much that he refused to bow to anyone else.
• Shah Latif seems to echo this perspective, portraying Azazeel not as a villain but as a tragic lover.
Shah Latif’s bait overturns traditional moral judgments and presents an unsettling yet profound idea: that divine love can be so absolute that it leads to exile, curse, and suffering—yet remains the highest form of devotion. It challenges the reader to rethink the nature of love, obedience, and divine grace. However, it is not far from truth to say that the beauty of Shah Latif’s poetry lies in its multi-layered meanings, allowing different interpretations depending on one’s perspective. Restricting this bait solely to Satan’s love for God limits its depth. We may explore the broader meanings and philosophical dimensions embedded in these lines of Bhittai:
Aashiq Azazeel, biya mir’ai sadharia,
Manjhaan sik sabeel, la’nati laal thiyo.
1. The Absolute Lover vs. The Half-Hearted Seekers
The bait contrasts Azazeel as the only true lover, while others merely yearn. This can extend beyond the religious narrative to represent:
• The unwavering lover vs. the ordinary admirers – Most people desire something, but few truly dedicate themselves to it.
• The true seeker vs. the passive dreamer – Many wish for greatness, but only the ones with single-minded devotion achieve it.
Azazeel symbolizes one who burns in love for something so intensely that he is willing to suffer any consequence for it. This idea can apply to love, knowledge, art, spirituality, or any pursuit requiring full surrender.
2. Single-Minded Devotion to Purpose & Rejection of Distractions
This bait can be read as a celebration of total commitment to a cause, an idea, or a goal in life—no matter how high the price.
• Revolutionaries & Visionaries – Those who challenge the norms often face rejection. Socrates drank hemlock for truth, Galileo was condemned for science, and Mansur Al-Hallaj was executed for proclaiming “Ana al-Haq” (I am the Truth).
• Artists & Thinkers – Van Gogh, Rumi, Ghalib—all suffered because they were consumed by their art and thoughts, much like Azazeel was consumed by love.
• Spiritual Ascetics – Sufis, yogis, and monks renounce the world’s pleasures, rejecting distractions much like Azazeel refused to bow.
In this reading, Azazeel is anyone who refuses to compromise their purpose, even when the world condemns them.
3. The Price of Unyielding Integrity
• In a world of compromises, those who refuse to bow to social norms, material temptations, or personal weaknesses often suffer isolation.
• They may be labeled as outcasts, heretics, or rebels—but their suffering is a badge of their authenticity.
• The phrase “la‘nati laal thiyo” (became the accursed) does not necessarily mean disgrace—it can mean sacrifice, exile, or even martyrdom in pursuit of truth.
Think of:
• A journalist who risks their life for truth.
• A scientist whose ideas are rejected until decades later.
• A poet who writes against oppression and is silenced.
All of them, like Azazeel, become “accursed” in their time but honored later.
4. The Struggle Against One’s Lesser Self (Nafs)
• The “other distractions” in life are not just external temptations but also the inner voice of doubt, ego, and desire (Nafs).
• Azazeel’s refusal to bow can symbolize one’s inner battle against mediocrity, weakness, and self-deception.
This bait, then, is an anthem for anyone who:
• Stands firm against the temptations of comfort and mediocrity.
• Chooses a difficult, lonely path instead of an easy, popular one.
• Is willing to pay the highest price for their convictions.
Final Reflection
Shah Latif’s poetry is not about one rigid meaning—it breathes with interpretations. This bait is not just about Azazeel’s love for God; it is about the essence of devotion itself, whether it is to love, truth, art, or self-realization. It celebrates those who stand firm, even when the world curses them, because they have seen a truth so great that no price is too high to pay for it.
This makes Azazeel not just a fallen angel, but a symbol of every uncompromising soul who chooses their path over worldly approval.
