English (Compulsory) For Class IX - Unit 2 - Role Model - Questions And Answers

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Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai

Questions And Answers

Q.1: How was information about Shah Latif's early life collected? Why was it collected in this manner?
Ans: Information about the life of Bhitai has mostly been collected from oral traditions. A renowned Pakistani scholar, educationist, and writer Mirza Kalich Beg, is said to have collected details about the early life of Shah Bhitai from some of the old people living at that time. These people had heard these facts from their fathers and grandfathers, some of whom had seen Shah Latif in person and had even spoken to him.

Q.2: Why is Shah Latif called the 'Saint of Bhit'?
Ans: A mound of sand is called 'Bhit' in Sindhi language. After his father's and wife's death, Shah Latif 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 Bhit' or 'Bhitai'.

Q.3: Why did Shah Latif not marry again after his wife dead?
Ans: Shah Latif did not marry again after his wife dead because his heart turned more and more towards religion and devotion and he felt restless; he found it difficult to live a normal domestic life.

Q.4: Why did people become Shah Latif's followers?
Ans: Latif's love of God grew more and more, to the extent that he found pleasure only in devotion. As a result, he spent most of his time in prayers and deep thinking. His spiritual power grew stronger with prayers and devotion, so much so that people began to be attracted towards him. Anyone who came to him was strongly impressed by his gentle ways,and his followers increased day by day.

Q.5: What does Shah Latif's poetry and work tell us about his knowledge and skills?
Ans: Although he received little formal education, the Risalo provides proof that he knew Arabic and Persian well. Various references in Shah jo Risalo indicates that he had in-depth knowledge of the Holy Quran and the Hadiths. His poetic collections included the Masnavi of Moulana Jalaluddin Rumi and Shah Karim's poems.

Q.6: Name the places in the text mention in Shah Latif's poetry. Why do you think these places have been mentioned by him?
Ans: The places in the text mention in Shah Latif's poetry are Istanbul, China, Samarkand, Rome, Kabul, Kandahar, Delhi and Deccan. I think these places are mentioned by him because he had been to those places or because those places were popular on those days.

Q.7: Why is Shah Latif's key message in his verses acceptable to everyone?
Ans: Shah Latif's spiritual and mystic poetry carries a message of love, which makes it universal and acceptable to the entire human race.

Q.8: Can we put his message into practice in today's world? If 'yes' how, if 'no why not?
Ans: Yes, we can put his message into practice in today's world. We should spread brotherhood and equality of man among us and try to please God by good deeds. This should be our goal of life in today's world. Today's world need love and brotherhood more than ever before.


Q.9: When and where was Shah Abdul Latif born? Where did Shah's ancestors migrate from?
Ans: Shah Abdul Latif was born in 689 A.D/14^th Safar 1102 A.H. in a small village called 'Hala Haveli". According to some historians, Shah's ancestors migrated to Sindh from Hirat (Afghanistan).

Q.10: What kind of man was Shah Abdul Latif?
Ans: He was very sensitive. His heart was 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.11: When and whom did Shah Latif marry? When did his wife died?
Ans: In 1713, Shah Latif married with Bibi Saidha Begum. His wife died at an early age, before she could have any children.

Q.12: Why did Shah Abdul Latif keep sitting on the bank of the lake near the mound?
Ans: Shah Latif loved peace and quietness 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 God's praise.

Q.13: What are the qualities of Shah Latif's poetry?
Ans: The qualities of Shah Latif's poetry are simplicity and moving music. Shah wrote the poetry in the language of a common man.

Q.14: What is the message of Shah Latif to us?
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. He preaches the same through his poetry which is in the language of common people.

Q.15: Write few sentences about the shrine of Shah Latif.
Ans: A famous king of Sindh, Ghulam Shah Kalhoro, was so devoted to Shah Latif that he built a grand mausoleum over his grave. The lovely white dome of the shrine represents the purity and dignity of Latif.

Q.16: What do you know about the collection of Shah Abdul Latif' poems?
Ans: Latif's devotees collected his poetry. This collection is called 'Shah Jo Risalo'. His poetry expresses love, brotherhood, equality of men and pleasing God. Moreover, it is simple and moving. The collection of Shah Latif's poetry is so valued that it has been translated into many international languages.

Q.17: How many aspects of Shah Abdul Latif's life have been covered in the text? List or name all these aspects in your note book.
Ans: There are seven aspects of Shah Abdul Latif's life have been covered in the text. Which are as follows:

1. The first aspect is about his 'Background and Family'.
2. The second aspect is about his' Name Bhitai'.
3. The third aspect is about his 'Early Life and Education'.
4. The fourth aspect is about his 'Youth'.
5. The fifth aspect is about his 'Spiritual Growth'.
6. The sixth aspect is about his 'Death and Remembrance'.
7. The seventh aspect is about his 'Poetry'.

Q.18: What do you know about the poetry of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai?
Ans: Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai was a poet of the people, so he wrote in the language of the common man. The qualities of Shah Latif's poetry are simplicity and moving music. In his poems he writes mainly about Sindh and its neighbouring regions. His spiritual and mystic poetry carries a message of love, brotherhood, equality of men and pleasing God, which makes it universal and acceptable to entire human race.