POETS AND PROPHETS

Dear Khalid,

By all means share my responses with whomever you wish.  My goodness! You ask some very tricky and complex questions for which there can no simple answer.
 

The differences between poetry and prophecy or revelation, are not numerous but they are fundamental and profound nonetheless.  I think this has to do mostly with altered states of consciousness and how the "inspiration " is received. When poets write their verses they are conscious of the fact that it is their own  thought processes  at work. Prophets and mystics on the other hand, get into a trance, are not conscious of this as you very rightly point out, and they usually feel that the messages are coming from "out of the blue".  Poetic inspiration is more considered and planned, using physical as well as mental stimulii, whereas prophetic inspiration is spontaneous and may surprise the recipient with regards to the subject matter, which may or may not be part of the recipients personal experience. 

This would indicate, although not conclusively, that the inspiration has some objective reality. Prophets, it is said are not deliberately or consciously looking for this type of inspiration, whereas poets usually write to satisfy an inner urge.  Whether prophetic inspiration  has an objective reality, is something that cannot be proven, for if it were proven, there would be no question of belief or disbelief.
 

WAHY is also understood as the intuitive knowledge that animals display when they migrate south or build there perfectly designed ant-hills etc. This knowledge has been planted in them by something or someone, for these are not learned responses,  but rather  something that animals do intuitively.
There is also that vexing question about our origins as thinking, moral beings, which Darwin does not or perhaps cannot explain,

These are just some of my random thoughts. (definitely not wahy!)  I have not done any serious thinking on this issue so please forgive me if at times I sound like I am "talking through my hat"

Take care,
Farzana.
 

 Send send your comments to Pervaiz Salahuddin