SHAH ABDUL LATIF - Question Answers

English 9th Chapter "SHAH ABDUL LATIF" Question Answers

Q.1 : When and where was Shah Abdul Latif born? Where had Shah’s ancestors migrated from? Who ruled the country then?

Ans : Shah Abdul Latif was born in 1689 in Hala Haveli. The Mughal emperor Aurangzeb ruled the country then. Shah’s ancestors had migrated to Sindh from Hirat during the days of Tamerlane.

Q.2 : What kind of man was Shah Abdul Latif?

Ans : He was very sensitive. His heart was soon filled with the love of God. The beauty of nature aroused his feelings strongly. He started writing poetry when he was only a boy.

Q.3 : When did Shah marry? How did he treat his wife?

Ans : Shah got married at 20. He treated his wife kindly. He lived with her for many years.

Q.4 : What is the meaning of a ‘Bhit’? Why is Shah called the saint of Bhit or Bhittai?

Ans : A mound of sand is called ‘Bhit’ In Sindhi. After his fathers death Shah left his home and passed the rest of his life on a mound, which was near his village. Shah is thus called the saint of the Bhit or Bhittai.

Q.5 : Why were people attracted to Shah Latif?

Ans : Shah Lath’s love of God grew stronger day by day. He spent most of his time in prayer and deep thinking. His spiritual power also grew and people got attracted to him and were greatly impressed by him.

Q.6 : Why did Shah Abdul Latif love the lake which was near the mound?

Ans : Shah Latif loved the peace and quiet of the scene. He spent much of his time sitting on the bank of the lake. As he sat there, he prayed to God and sometimes composed verses in His praise.

Q.7 : What changes did Shah Latif make in the music of those days?

Ans : Shah Latif simplified the music of those days. He did not agree with the idea that music should be difficult. He also invented a simple musical instrument called “tambooro”.

Q.8 : What are the qualities of Shah Latif’s poetry?

Ans : The qualities of Shah Latifs poetry are simplicity and moving music. Shah wrote the poetry in the language of a common man. Everyone is moved by its melody.

Q.9 : What is Latif’s message?

Ans : Latif’s message is the message of love. He believed in the brotherhood and equality of man and in pleasing God by good deeds. According to him, this is the goal of life.

Q.10 : What do you know about Bhit Shah?

Ans : Bhit Shah is at a distance of 55 km from Hyderabad. There is Shah’s shrine with a lovely white dome. Latifs ‘urs’ is held at his shrine on 14th Safar. A library, a rest house and a museum have also been built at Bhit Shah near Shah’s shrine.

Q.11 : How did Islam spread far and wide?

Ans : God sent the Prophet (peace be on him) as a blessing to mankind. He won people’s hearts by his kind nature and gentle ways. His followers behaved in the same manner. It was due to these saintly men’s efforts that Islam spread far and wide.

Q.12 : Write about the shrines of saintly men built in Pakistan?

Ans : There are shrines of saints in every part of our country. The shrines of Data Ganj Bukhsh and Mian Mir Sahib are in Lahore, Baba Fareed’s in Pak Pattan, Ghaus Bahul Haq’a in Multan. Shah Abdul Latif and Qalandar Lal Shahbaz’s shrines are at Bhit Shah and Sehwan respectively in Sindh.

Q.13 : Why did Shah’s ancestors decide to make Sindh their home?

Ans : Shah’s ancestors had migrated to Sindh from Hirat. Sindh was a centre of Muslim culture at that time. They liked Sindh so much that’s they decided to make it their home.

Q.14 : How did Shah Abdul Latif spend his time on the bank of the lake?

Ans : There was a natural lake dose to the mound where Latif lived. He used to spend much of his time sitting on the bank of this lake. As he sat there, he prayed to God. He also composed verses In His praise there.

Q.15 : What was Shah’s Idea about music?

Ans : Shah’s idea about music was that it should be simple. He did not agree that music should be difficult. He, therefore, made it simple.

Q.16 : What is Tambooro?

Ans : Tambooro is a simple musical instrument. Shah Abdul Latif invented it. It is like an Arabian musical instrument. However, the number of strings in it is different. Tambooro is still popular in Sindh.

Q.17 : What do you know about the collection of Shah Abdul Latif’s poems?

Ans : Latif’s devotees collected his poetry. It is called “Shah Jo Risalo” (Risalo of Shah Abdul Latif). The collection of Shah’s poems is so valued that it has been translated into many international languages.

Q.18 : Who built a shrine over Shah’s grave?

Ans : Lal Latif died in 1752 on the mound where he had lived He was buried there. A famous king of Sindh, Ghulam Shah Kalhoro was so devoted to him that he built a shrine over his grave.

Q.19 : What do you know about Latif’s urs?

Ans : Latif’s urs is held at his shrine every year on 14th Safar. A large number of people gather there. They pray for Shah there. They listen to Shah’s songs sung to the Tambooro. Many learned people read papers that tell about Latif’s fife and his poetry.

Q.20 : Write five lines on Shah Abdul Latif.

Ans : Shah Abdul Latil’s father’s name was Syed Habib Shah. He was born in 1689 at Hala Haveli. Shah Latif was not only a saint and a great poet, but also a musician. He was also a scholar of Arabic and Persian. Shah died in 1752 and his tomb is at Bhit Shah, 55km from Hyderabad.