Abu Al-Asar Hafeez Jalandhari: The Voice of Pakistan and the Architect of the National Anthem
When we talk about the soul of a nation, we often refer to its symbols. For Pakistan, no symbol is more resonant than the Qaumi Taranah. The architect of these powerful verses was none other than Abu Al-Asar Hafeez Jalandhari. A poet of immense caliber, a dedicated soldier of the Pakistan Movement, and a literary giant, his life story is as inspiring as the anthems he wrote.
Who is Hafeez Jalandhari?
Abu Al-Asar Hafeez Jalandhari (1900–1982) was a legendary Pakistani Urdu-language poet, writer, and lyricist. While he is globally recognized as the author of the National Anthem of Pakistan, his contributions extend far into the realms of epic poetry, religious literature, and romantic ghazals. He is often referred to as the "Poet of the Nation" and "Firdowsi-e-Islam" due to his monumental work, Shahnama-e-Islam.
📙 Primary Identity: Poet, Writer, Lyricist
📙 Most Famous Work: National Anthem of Pakistan (Qaumi Taranah)
📙 Literary Influence: Persian and Urdu Classical Traditions
📙 Title: Abu Al-Asar (Father of Impressions)
Hafeez Jalandhari Biography: Personal Profile & Vital Stats
Understanding the man requires looking at the facts that defined his existence.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Real Name | Muhammad Abdul Hafeez |
| Pen Name | Hafeez Jalandhari |
| Kunyat (Title) | Abu Al-Asar |
| Birthday | January 14, 1900 |
| Birth Place | Jalandhar, Punjab, British India |
| Zodiac Sign | Capricorn |
| Nationality | Pakistani |
| Died | December 21, 1982 (Lahore) |
| Age at Death | 82 Years |
Early Life and Parents
Born in the dawn of the 20th century, Hafeez Jalandhari belonged to a Rajput family in Jalandhar. His upbringing was rooted in religious tradition and humble living.
📙 Parents: His father, Shams-ud-Din, was a devout Muslim and a Hafiz-e-Qur'an. This religious environment deeply influenced Hafeez's future work, particularly his Islamic epics.
📙 Innate Talent: Despite a lack of formal luxury, Hafeez showed a natural inclination toward poetry from the age of seven. He composed his first couplet in primary school, much to the surprise of his teachers.
Education: A Self-Taught Genius
The story of Hafeez Jalandhari’s education is one of passion over formal schooling.
📙 Early Education: He started his journey in a local mosque, learning the Quran and basic Urdu.
📙 Formal Schooling: He attended local schools but left formal education after the 7th grade. The reason was his intense dislike for Mathematics; he found his world in rhymes rather than numbers.
📙 Literary Mentorship: What he lacked in degrees, he made up for in mentorship. He became a disciple of the renowned Persian poet Maulana Ghulam Qadir Bilgrami, who polished his poetic skills and introduced him to the mysteries of prosody.
Early Career Struggle Story
Before the fame and the national awards, Hafeez lived a life of intense struggle. He was a man of many trades who refused to let poverty stifle his voice.
📙 Odd Jobs: To sustain himself, he worked in the Railways, sold perfumes, tried his hand at tailoring, and even managed a sewing machine company.
📙 The Power of the Pen: Throughout these struggles, he never stopped writing. He moved to Lahore in the early 1920s, a city that was the heartbeat of Urdu literature. Here, he served as the editor of several prestigious magazines, including Nonehal, Hazar Dastaan, and Makhzin.
📙 The Turning Point: His poem "Abhi To Main Jawan Hoon" became a sensational hit, bringing him into the limelight and establishing him as a romantic poet before he transitioned into patriotic themes.
Career Highlights & Professional Journey
Hafeez Jalandhari’s career was a bridge between the British Raj and the birth of a new nation.
📙 Government Roles: During World War II, he served as the Director of the Song Publicity Department, writing songs that resonated with the masses.
📙 Director General Morale: After 1947, he held the esteemed position of Director General of Morals in the Pakistan Armed Forces.
📙 Advisory Roles: He served as an adviser to President Field Marshal Mohammad Ayub Khan and was a key director of the Writers Guild of Pakistan.
Family Life: Wife and Kids
Hafeez Jalandhari’s personal life saw both joy and transition.
📙 First Marriage (1917): He married his cousin, Zeenat Begum, at the age of 17. They were blessed with seven daughters but no sons.
📙 Second Marriage (1939): He married a young English woman named Anela, though this marriage ended in divorce. They had one daughter.
📙 Third Marriage (1955): Following the death of his first wife, he married Khurshid Begum, with whom he had another daughter, Raza Hafeez (later Raza Riaz).
The Creation of the National Anthem (Qaumi Taranah)
The crowning achievement of his life was written in 1952. Out of 723 entries submitted to the National Anthem Committee, Hafeez’s verses were chosen for their linguistic beauty and spiritual depth.
📙 Language: The anthem is unique because it is written in highly Persianized Urdu, yet it is intelligible to most Pakistanis.
📙 Composition: The music was composed by Ahmed Ghulam Ali Chagla in 1949, and Hafeez spent years ensuring his words fit the intricate melody perfectly.
📙 Official Status: It was officially adopted as the National Anthem of Pakistan in August 1954.
Top Achievements and Notable Works
While the anthem is his most famous work, his literary portfolio is vast.
📙 Shahnama-e-Islam: This is his magnum opus. Spread over four volumes, it is a versified history of Islam, modeled after Ferdowsi's Shahnameh. It earned him the title of "Poet of Islam."
📙 Watan Hamara Azad Kashmir: He is the author of the state anthem of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
📙 Notable Books:
* Naghma-Zar (1925)
* Soz-o-Saaz (1932)
* Talkhaba-i-Shireen (1947)
* Chiragh-e-Sahar (1974)
Awards and Recognition
The state of Pakistan honored him with its highest civil awards:
📙 Pride of Performance (1958): For his unmatched contributions to Urdu literature.
📙 Hilal-e-Imtiaz: The second-highest civilian award for his patriotic and literary services.
Death and Legacy
Hafeez Jalandhari passed away on December 21, 1982, in Lahore at the age of 82.
📙 Final Resting Place: He was initially buried in Model Town, but his body was later moved to a magnificent tomb near Minar-e-Pakistan in Lahore. His resting place under the shadow of the monument of independence is a fitting tribute to his life's work.
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Who wrote the National Anthem of Pakistan?
📙 Hafeez Jalandhari wrote the lyrics of the National Anthem (Qaumi Taranah) in 1952.
Q2: What is "Shahnama-e-Islam"?
📙 It is an epic poetic work by Hafeez Jalandhari that chronicles the history of Islam in verse. It consists of four volumes.
Q3: When was Hafeez Jalandhari born?
📙 He was born on January 14, 1900, in Jalandhar, British India.
Q4: Did Hafeez Jalandhari write any other anthems?
📙 Yes, he wrote the state anthem of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, titled "Watan Hamara Azad Kashmir."
Q5: Which famous ghazal did Hafeez Jalandhari write?
📙 His most famous romantic ghazal is "Abhi To Main Jawan Hoon," which was famously sung by Malika Pukhraj.
Conclusion
Abu Al-Asar Hafeez Jalandhari was not just a poet; he was the heartbeat of a new nation. From his early struggles in Jalandhar to the halls of power in Pakistan, he remained a man of the people. His words continue to echo every time the green flag is raised, reminding every Pakistani of their heritage and their "Sarzameen-e-Paak."
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