"Aql & Ishq: Intellect and Love" - Karim Gillani

Aql & Ishq
Intellect and Love

This song "Aql & Ishq: Intellect and Love" is based on a long debated subject in the Sufi tradition on the competing struggle to become one with God through Aql (intellect) which is sometimes described as "Ilm knowledge" versus Ishq (Divine Love).

The lyrics for this beautiful song were written by a famous poet and philosopher from South Asia, Allama Muhammad Iqbal (1877-1938) and a renowned Sufi master Hazrat Sachal Sarmast (1739-1827).

Dr. Allama Iqbal in one of his couplets has described the intimate debate between Ishq and Aql as:

Aql ayar hai so bhaes bana leti hai, Ishq bechara na mullah hai, na zahid, na hakim.
The mind is skillful in artistic tasks, and can assume a hundred masks; poor helpless love that knows no guise ain't mullah, hermit or too wise.

Based on this very core Sufi debate between Aql and Ishq, Dr. Gillani and his team have created this masterpiece original music composition and video presentation.

Walid Ehssan has created a magic with his colourful calligraphy on canvas which was shot in Calgary and magistic Canmore. Dr. Gillani yet again has produced a soulful composition and the video was shot at Sylvan Lake, Alberta. Dances and musicians videos were shot in India, Pakistan and Canada.

We sincerely hope you will immerse yourself in the deep understanding of these transcendent ideas of Sufi Love and Intellect.

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Aql & Ishq
Intellect and Love

Sufi Kalam

With Lyrics & Translations

Lyrics:
Allama Muhammad Iqbal
Hazrat Sachal Sarmast

Vocals: Dr. Karim Gillani
Composition: Dr. Karim Gillani
Visual Artist: Walid Ehssan

Videography and Direction:
Alizain Mevawala
Karim Poonja

Producer: Dr. Karim Gillani
Edited: WMA Productions

Video Story & Concept: Shazia Gillani
Translation: Begum Zakia Zaheer (Delhi)

Musicians of Sufi Music Ensemble:
Stephen Tchir: Mandolin, Guitars
Ojas Joshi: Tabla, Udu
Altaz Ibrahim: Keyboards
Morteza Abedinifard: Persian Setar
Dr. Deepak Paramashiyan: Sarangi
Eric Tombs: Saxophone
Dr. Michael Macdonald: Bass Guitars

Doug Organ: Recording Engineer, Edmontone Studio, CA
Mike Fossenkemper: Mastered at Turtle Tone Studio, New York, USA

Special Thanks & Gratitude:
Edmonton Arts Council
Walid Ehssan

Joint Production Dr. Karim Gillani & JollyGul.com