General
What is a fable?
A literary form that uses animals to convey a message. In a fable an animal usually shows human qualities.
In Dervish & the Confectioner, what was the substance in which the flies got stuck?
Honey
What are some themes of Ginan's? Provide at least 3
Who wrote the story "The Debate between Humans & Animals"?
Ikhwan al-Safa
Why did the birds go on a journey and how many valleys did they have to cross? Name 2 valleys
The birds wanted to find their King. They had to cross 7 valleys including Valley of Love, Valley of Understanding and Valley of Quest
Name at least 4 genres of Muslim Literature.
Fables, Stories, Poems, Ginans, Farmans, MHI Speeches, Hadith, Qu'ran, Sira
What is the moral of the story "The dervish and the confectioner"?
The story teaches us that if we got too attached to material things & get greedy, then when it's time to leave the world it will be difficult.
What is the meaning of the word "Ginan"? And who wrote them?
Ginan comes from the Sanskrit word "jnan" meaning knowledge.
"Pirs" used to write Ginans.
Why did the animals complain about the humans to the King of the Jinn?
The humans came to the island and started using and abusing the animals. Humans made the animals do their work and caged them up at night.
Who wrote the Conference of the Birds?
Farid al-Din Attar
What is Adab Literature?
Literature that focuses on moral themes and ethics
Who wrote the essay on Merits of Friendship?
al-Jahiz
Who wrote the Ginan "Mal khajina"?
Pir Ghulam Ali Shah
When humans argued that they were more superior than animals because they have knowledge, how did the animals respond?
Animals said that they too had knowledge because the bees could make perfect geometrically shaped homes for themselves and ant could make complex cities underground. They did not need to study to get knowledge.
What did the birds learn in the Valley of Love?
If you love something, you should be willing to give up everything for them.
Name 4 literary devices commonly used in various works of Literature.
Simile - Metaphor - Alliteration - Hyperbole - Personification - Onomatopoeia
What's the essay on Merits of Friendship about?
About the advantages of having a good friend
Name a Ginan that asks us to do Bandagi.
Mal khajina
At the end of the Debate, which group was considered superior by the King of the Jinn? What was his reason?
Humans were considered superior, because they have the intellect which help them choose between right and wrong. Also humans will be judged for their actions by their Creator i.e. Allah.
In the end when the birds reached the Simurgh, what did they learn about him?
The Simurgh was within them. Si- 30 Murgh - Birds
Explain "Literature is a Window".
Literature provides a window into people's lives and experiences in the past, present or future.
Literature can be used as a tool to reflect on the experiences of others as well as a space for us to reflect on our own realities.
How does the writer describe a "friend"?
He is the brother of your soul and the gateway to peace in your lifetime; his thoughts are an extension of yours and his mind the twin of yours.
What does this Ginan excerpt mean?:
The night is exalted in status,
for while the world slumbers,
The Pirs, Prophets and Friends (of God)
attain glory through meditation
The night is special and while everyone sleeps, only special people meditate at that time such as Pirs, Prophets and Friends of God
What is the moral of this story?
Humans should treat animals and the environment with respect because they can choose between right and wrong. They should care for those who are in need since they are Allah's representatives on earth.
What is the moral of this story? And who do the birds symbolize? Who is Hoopoe and Who is the Simurgh?
Searching for who we are is difficult, but having a guide will help with the search.
Birds - Us or Murids
Hoopoe- Guide or our Imam
Simurgh - Allah