Abou Ben Adhem by Leigh Hunt

Introduction

Leigh Hunt is a legendary British poet and critic best known for his works from the Romantic era. Some of his best poems are "Abou Ben Adhem", and "Jenny Kissed Me" due to the illustration of French and Italian poetic rhythm.

"Abou Ben Adhem" is a beautiful piece of poetry inspired by the incident in the life of Ibrahim Bin Adhem, a Sufi mystic. This poem was first published in 1838. Hunt was greatly influenced by Bibliotheque Orientale, which was about the life of Abou Ben (the anglicized name of the Sufi saint, Ibrahim ibn Adham), who abandoned his life as a king to live the life of the saint.

Summary of the Poem

The poem Abou Ben Adhem deals with themes such as love for God, humanity and faith. The whole idea of the poem revolves around the kindness and good nature that humans must show towards their fellow beings. Our compassion for each other is the love that reaches God, and we get blessed for it. Religion is a belief system that has divided mankind, and most of us consider others as friends and enemies based on their religion. However, it is not something that God might expect from us, and by keeping hatred and jealousy for others in our hearts, we are only punishing ourselves. The central character of the poem, Abou Ben Adhem is the representation of an Arab Muslim ascetic who finds solace in being good to others rather than worshipping God. Ultimately, what motivates God to return our love is the humanity we show towards every living being on this earth.

In the first line, we are introduced to the title character Abou Ben Adhem by the speaker. With the line enclosed in brackets, "may his tribe increase!", the speaker has already suggested that Adhem is a benign man. His "tribe" does not specifically refer to people of his religion or to increase the number of his disciples, but rather individuals who are as compassionate as him. This blessing by the speaker is not part of the poem but the thoughts of the poet Abou Ben Adhem. More people should believe in his ideology of "loving thy neighbour".

According to a poem, Abou Ben Adhem woke up from his sleep in the middle of the night. He was dreaming peacefully. The sleep in which he can dream peacefully can only be attained when the person doesn't have any expectations from anyone, no desire to gain anything and no material accessories to lose.

He saw an angel in his room. The scene is illustrated as picturesque, with the rays of moonlight penetrating his room. The vision appears to be divine, or it might be because he is a saint and finds beauty in all things created by God. Ben Adhem did not fear the angel, probably because he could sense the pious energy oozing from it. The angel's presence makes the room "rich", which hints at its preciousness. Another instance that signifies the strife between materiality and spirituality is the gold book in the angel's hand. In this book, the names of those who love God as well as who love their companions are noted, and these people receive the blessing from God based on it.

Courageous Ben Adhem asks about what the angel is writing in the notebook. The sweet-voiced angel looked at him and replied that it was writing the names of the humans who love God. Abou gets curious to know if his name is on the list and asks the angel if it is. He doesn't feel dejected when the angel replies that his name is not on the list. The readers of this poem can be surprised that even after being a saint, Abou's name is absent from the list of people who love God. However, in high spirits, Abou requests the angel to write his name on the list, which consists of the names of people who love mankind above all. The angel wrote his name as it knows that Abou does love humanity, even more than he worships God.

It could also be noted that Khidmat-e-Khalq, in Islam, is recognized as the most righteous principle of all. It is interpreted as "kindness towards humanity". After writing Abou's name, the angel vanishes from his room. The following night, it appears again. This time, it does not appear in the dim moonlight, but it shines in the blinding white light, which again symbolizes its sacred presence and enlightenment. It shows Abou the names of people that are blessed by God.

It is then revealed that Abou's name is the first on that list. It means that in return for his humanity and decency, God has given him deep affection. The goodness we do for others never goes unnoticed by God. Similarly, the detestation for others is also returned in the form of punishment by God.

Significance of Poem

The earthly pleasures and material things for which people fight and kill each other can only provide temporary happiness. By showing devotion to God after committing several sins, humans cannot deflect their punishment. It is the values of brotherhood and living in peace with others that bring true happiness and contentment to our souls. Abou Ben Adhem was compassionate towards others, not because he was eager to gain felicity from God. It is because, in his heart, he truly believes in a good cause. Abou's righteousness finally pays off when his name is written at the top of the list of blessed people.

"Abou Ben Adhem" is an inspirational poem encouraging readers to believe in goodness, not in God. Its heart-touching subject and simplicity are appreciated by many critics till now because it conveys only the truth. It might appear like the poet is commenting on a religious theme, but it is clearly not a religious poem. The facts and moral values conveyed in this poem are beyond any worldly beliefs.

Literary Devices

The important elements of any text that helps the readers to understand and appreciate it are known as literary devices. Some of the notable literary devices present in the poem "Abou Ben Adhem" are discussed below:

1. Assonance

If vowel sounds are repeated in a sentence to create a poetic rhythm, it is known as assonance. In the second line of the first stanza, words such as 'deep', 'dream' and 'peace' are used in one sentence forming a rhythm through the sound of 'ee'. Similarly, in the fourth line of the same stanza, by the repetition of words, assonance has been used.

2. Consonance

If the words with consonants are repeated in a sentence, this literary device is known as consonance.

For example: In the first line of the 3rd stanza, the words 'And', 'mine', 'one', 'nay', and 'not' rhyme with each other as all of them produce the sound of 'n'.

3. Simile

To give a clear expression to the readers of one thing that shares its appearance and traits with some other thing, this figure of speech is used.

For example: The angel in Abou's room is described as 'like a lily in bloom'.

4. Imagery

To understand the depth of a poem or text, the reader has to use all five senses. When the reader is able to picture and feel the seriousness of the words, the imagery is produced.

For example: The angel with the Book of Gold, the list that consists of the names of those blessed by God, and an angel with "great wakening light" contain a high amount of imagery.

5. Symbolism

The symbols and signs are used to signify the traits and ideas that are conveyed by the poem, and these symbolisms could have different meanings than what is suggested by words.

For example: The gold book could be the symbol of richness that is felt through the love of God. The 'angel' and 'light' symbolize spirituality.

6. Enjambment

When the line break in a poem takes place without the completion of verse, this literary device is known as enjambment.

For example: The first line ends with "may his tribe increase"; however, the verse remains unfinished. The verse is continued from the second line.

The poem is written by using iambic pentameter and follows the ABAB rhyme scheme till the end. This poem is written in the form of a fable as it carries a moral. Like many fables, Abou Ben Adhem has fulfilled its purpose by delivering deep meaning to its readers regarding the essence of life, spirituality and God.