Abou Ben Adheim

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Abou Ben Adhem
Reference to the Context:
Reference 1
“Abou ben Adhem (may his tribe increase)
Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace….”
1. Who was Abou Ben Adhem? What is meant by ‘may his tribe increase’?
Abou Ben Adhem was also known as Ibrahim ibn Adham or Ibrahim Balkhi. He
was born in the year 718 CE and died in the year 782 CE in Balkh (modern day
Afghanistan). He is one of the most prominent figures of the early ascetic Sufi
saints. He was a prince who renounced his royal life and chose asceticism.
The phrase “may his tribe increase” means that there should be more people like
Abou Ben Adhem in this world or may his descendants thrive in this world. The
narrator admires and respects Abou Ben Adhem.
Grade 10_English_Poem_Abou Ben Adhem Page 1

2. Explain the meaning of: “deep dream of peace”. How could Abou have
peace?
‘Deep dream of peace’ means a real peaceful dream or could also be a reference
to a deep meditative state.
He is at peace as he loves and serves his fellowmen.
3. Describe the effect of moonlight in Abou’s room.

The bright silvery moonlight in Abou’s room on a peaceful night had a magical
effect. The room appeared rich and calm.
The bright and divine moonlight entering Abou’s room made the room look like
a lily in bloom. The lily and moonlight are natural, beautiful and pleasing to the
eyes. They are the symbols of peace and purity.
4. What does Abou Ben Adhem encounter upon awakening? Give the
significance of the book of gold.
When Abou wakes up, he finds his room brightened with moonlight and an angel
writing something in “a book of gold”.
The “book of gold” is significant as it adds to the magical and supernatural quality
of the poem. Moreover, gold could also be a symbol purity of the subject matter
of the book. It was a divine encounter.
5. Briefly describe the second vision of Abou ben Adhem.

The angel visits Abou again the next night with “a great wakening light.” The
angel shows him the names of those who had been blessed by God, Abou Ben
Adhem sees that his name appears at the top, ahead of others.

Reference 2
“And to the presence in the room he said,
“What writest thou?” …….
1. What is referred to as the presence in the above extract? What does Abou
say to ‘the presence’?
The presence in the above extract is referred to the angel who woke Abou from
his “deep dream of peace”.
Abou asked the presence in his room, what was it writing.
2. What is ‘the vision’ referred to here? Why does it raise its head?
The vision here refers to the angel, or could be Abou’s supernatural vision.
The vision raises its head to answer Abou’s query about what it was writing in
the book of gold.
3. What does the angel tell Abou Ben Adhem in the above extract?
The angel tells Abou that it is writing in the book the names of all those who love
the Lord.
4. What does Abou curiously ask the angel? What makes Abou low?
Abou curiously asks the angel if his name was written among those who love the
Lord.
When the angel replied in negative, it made Abou spoke more low, which means
that in a humble tone yet cheerly he requested the angel to write his name as one
that loves his fellowmen.
5. Does Abou feel disheartened at the angel’s reply? Which words tells you so?
What does Abou request the angel to do?
No, he doesn’t; and even if he felt disheartened, it was momentary.
The words “cheerly” tells us this.
Abou cheerfully requests the angel to write his name as the one who loves his
fellow men.
Reference 3
“The angel wrote, and vanished. The next night
It came again with a great wakening light…”
1. What did the angel write? Describe what happened the night after the angel
vanished?
The angel might have respected Abou’s request and must have written Abou’s
name as one who loves his fellow men.
The next night, the angel came again with a great amount of light and woke Abou.
The angel showed him the names of those who had been blessed by God. Abou
Ben Adhem saw that his name appeared on the top of the list ahead of others.
2. Briefly give a character sketch of Abou Ben Adhem.

3. Abou Ben Adhem was also known as Ibrahim ibn Adham or Ibrahim Balkhi. He
was born in the year 718 CE and died in the year 782 CE in Balkh (modern day
Afghanistan). He is one of the most prominent figures of the early ascetic Sufi
saints. He was a prince who renounced his royal life and chose asceticism.

Abou Ben Adhem was a pure and simple man. He lived on humanistic ideals. He
is the epitome of the idea that when you love your fellow men, you become
worthy to be loved by God. Moreover, he was a positive man. On realizing that
his name was not there on the list of men who love the Lord, he was not
disheartened, but cheerfully asked the angel to write his name the as the one who
loves his fellow-men.
4. Explain the following lines:

(a) It came again with a great wakening light- The line is a reference to the
angel’s second visit to Abou’s room. His first visit filled Abou’s room with
moonlight and the second time his visit is accompanied by “a great
wakening light.”
(b) And lo! Ben Adhem’s name led all the rest- This is the last line of the poem.
The angel appears the next night and with a new set of names of people who
have been blessed by God with Ben Adhem’s name on top of the list. The
word ‘lo’ adds to the climax. ‘Lo’ also means to Abou’s surprise.
5. What did the angel show Abou? How can you look at the extract as the
climax in the poem?
The angel showed Abou the names of those people whom love of God has blest.
The last four lines of the poem can be seen as the climax. The angel writes that
Abou loves his fellowmen. And vanishes. To everybody’s and to also Abou’s
surprise, the angel appears again the next night and with a new set of names of
people who have been blessed by God. The word ‘lo’ adds to the climax. The

poet says, “And lo! Ben Adhem’s name led all the rest.” God was truly impressed
by ben Adhem’s service to mankind.
6. On the basis of the above extract, bring out the main theme of the poem.
The poem, Abo Ben Adhem, depicts that true devotion to God is found in love
for one’s neighbour. It is only when you love your fellowmen, you become
worthy to be loved by God. The poem is a celebration of humanistic ideals. Abou
Ben Adhem, a simple soul, on realizing that his name is not in the list of people
who love God, says to the angel that he loves his fellowmen. The twist takes place
the next night when the angel returns with another list having names of those who
have been blessed by the love of God. Surprisingly, in the list, Ben Adhem’s
name appears at the top ahead of others. The poem thus brings out the message
that love for one’s fellowmen matters greatly; those who love their fellowmen,
love God.

Abou Ben Adheim

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Abou Ben Adhem

Reference to the Context:

“Abou ben Adhem (may his tribe increase)

Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace….”

Grade 10_English_Poem_Abou Ben Adhem Page 1

3. Describe the effect of moonlight in Abou’s room.

5. Briefly describe the second vision of Abou ben Adhem.

Grade 10_English_Poem_Abou Ben Adhem Page 2

“And to the presence in the room he said,

“What writest thou?” …….

“The angel wrote, and vanished. The next night

It came again with a great wakening light…”

2. Briefly give a character sketch of Abou Ben Adhem.

Grade 10_English_Poem_Abou Ben Adhem Page 4

4. Explain the following lines:

Grade 10_English_Poem_Abou Ben Adhem Page 5

Grade 10_English_Poem_Abou Ben Adhem Page 6

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