The Harmony of Humanistic Feelings in the Works of Abay and Navoi
Nazarova Hamida
Teacher of Native Language and Literature
Scientific Supervisor: Eshnazar Jabborov
Although Abay and Navoi lived in different eras, it is not difficult to notice similarities in their lives, creative activities, and moral as well as didactic views. According to historical sources, Alisher Navoi
received a very large salary during the reign of Husayn Bayqaro, yet he did not spend this wealth on himself. Instead, he used these funds every day to provide financial assistance to widows, the poor,
and needy people.
During his time as a statesman, Navoi issued fair decrees in order to improve the living conditions of the population and financed the construction of bridges, bathhouses, hospitals, and other public service buildings at his own expense. Navoi carried out many charitable deeds for the welfare of the people. In particular, through various instructive stories in his works, he beautifully and clearly explained to rulers and princes that thinking about the interests of the people and governing with justice are the highest duties of a ruler.
Abay Qunanbayuli was also a person ready to do anything for his fellow villagers. When we examine his life path, we can clearly see that, like Navoi, he never withheld either moral or material support from people in need. In Mukhtar Auezov’s novel “The Path of Abay”, we can witness how noble and generous Abay was. At the same time, history records that these two great poets were sometimes
viewed with hostility. Even during his lifetime, some of Abay’s close associates treated him unfairly. In “The Path of Abay”, when ordinary people suffered under the burden of heavy taxes, Abay defended
innocent poor people and was severely oppressed by local officials for doing so.
Even in such situations, he did not abandon his principles and continued helping those in need. He sincerely struggled for the enlightenment of his people. Through his poems, he called upon the nation to become educated and live in harmony with the spirit of the times.
In the Resolution No. PQ-3598 of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated March 13, 2018, it was emphasized that the immortal heritage of great scholars such as Abay Qunanbayuli carries increasingly important significance for our peoples. Considering the great contribution of his literary works, exemplary life, and social activities to the development of culture, proposals were approved to widely study and promote the creative heritage of the great Kazakh poet and thinker Abay Qunanbayuli.
Abay and Navoi considered serving the people to be the greatest happiness in life. Both poets valued honest service to the people, human virtues, justice, and pure love above any rank or position.
Navoi wrote:
“Turn away from rank toward ranklessness,
Ranklessness is better than any position.”
Abay said:
“A great position is like a high cliff.
Even a snake may climb it if it crawls tirelessly.”
The fact that one gave up ministership and the other abandoned local authority demonstrates how similar their life principles were.
The following excerpt from Mukhtar Auezov’s novel reveals Abay’s courage and nobility:
“They say that a brave man is tested in hardship. Your words lifted my spirits. If danger comes, my companions are ready to sacrifice themselves for me. Why should I fear death? There is no punishment
or anger that can truly harm me.”
These lines reveal the hidden aspects of Abay’s personality.
The following words spoken by Suhayl in Navoi’s “Sab’ai Sayyor” also glorify bravery and nobility:
“If you displayed dog-like behavior,
I shall show you true manliness.”
Navoi glorified labor and encouraged people to work. In his “Farhod and Shirin”, he wrote:
“What use is preserving my skill,
If in the end I carry it into the soil?”
Abay similarly wrote:
“If you work tirelessly,
Your stomach will be full without begging.”
Navoi glorified the power of words:
“The jewel of speech possesses such honor
That no shell can compare to it.”
In Abay’s works too, great importance is given to speech and eloquence:
“If you speak carefully, everyone will respect you.
Wise elders speak with proverbs.”
The feelings of friendship and love are harmoniously reflected in the works of Navoi and Abay.
The lines “Do not be merely your father’s child, be a child of humanity” have become a slogan understood by both Uzbek and Kazakh peoples. These words show that the idea of the perfect human being was an eternal theme for both great thinkers.
All this demonstrates that Abay constantly benefited from the works of great scholars such as Firdawsi, Nizami, Navoi, and Babur, considering them his teachers and showing them great respect.
Although Navoi and Abay belonged to Turkic-speaking nations, the humanism and tolerance reflected in their works prove that such feelings transcend nationality.
References
- Mallaev N. History of Uzbek Literature. Tashkent: Teacher Publishing House, 1976.
- Auezov M. The Path of Abay. Tashkent, 1957.
- Auezov M. Excerpts from Abay, Book 2. Tashkent, 1953.
- Alisher Navoi. G’aroyib us-sig’ar. Tashkent, 1988.
- Alisher Navoi. Farhod and Shirin. Tashkent, 1991.
- Alisher Navoi. Layli and Majnun. Tashkent, 1992