The frustration of the longings of the great Empyrean’s dwellers.
I infused into the wealthy the craze for Capitalism.
It has further strengthened in the commoners their slavishness indeed.
Since the dawn of Time have these helpless mortals been ordained to prostration:
Prayer devoid of the posture of standing straight is their nature’s constant urge.
Arzoo Awwal To Paida Ho Nahin Sakti Kahin
Ho Kahin Paida To Mer Jati Hai Ya Rehti Hai Kham
In their heart no desire can in fact take its birth:
But if it does, perchance, it dies or is left unripe.
Ye Humari Saee-e-Peham Ki Karamat Hai Ke Aaj
Sufi-o-Mullah Mukuliyat Ke Bande Hain Tamam
What wonders have our hard, persistent endeavours wrought!
To?day finds the mystics and the priests all as subjects of Imperialism.
Taba-e-Mashriq Ke Liye Mouzoon Yehi Afyoon Thi
Warna 'Qawwali' Se Kuch Kam Tar Nahin 'Ilm E Kalam'
Suited to the disposition of the East was this opium indeed:
Otherwise Ilm?i?Kalam is no less self?effacing than qawwali in effect
Hai Tawaf-e-Hajj Ka Hungama Agar Baqi To Kya
Kund Ho Kar Reh Gyi Momin Ki Taeg-e-Be Nayam
What matters it, if the tumult of the pilgrimage and tawaf abides?
For, rendered blunt, lies unused the unsheathed sword of the Faithful.
Kis Ki Naumeedi Pe Hujjat Hai Ye Farman-e-Jadeed
'Hai Jihad Iss Dour Mein Mard-e-Musalman Par Haram!'
Whose despair does this latest Ordinance prove:
“To the Muslim in this age is forbidden fighting in Lord’s name”?
Dusra Musheer (SECOND COUNCILOR):
Khair Hai Sultani Jumhoor Ka Ghogha Ke Sherr
Tu Jahan Ke Taza Fitnon Se Nahin Hai Ba-khabar!
Is the clamour for “Government by the people” evil or good?
Are you unaware of the fresh mischiefs of the world?
Pehla Musheer (FIRST COUNCILOR):
Hun, Magar Meri Jahan Beeni Batati Hai Mujhe
Jo Mulukiyat Ka Ek Parda Ho, Kya Uss Se Khatar!
Aware am I! but tells me my cosmic foresight:
No danger from what is but a masquerade for imperialism.
Hum Ne Khud Shahi Ko Pehnaya Hai Jumhoori Libas
Jab Zara Aadam Huwa Hai Khud Shanas-o-Khud Nigar
We ourselves have dressed imperialism in the garb of democracy
When man has grown to be a little self?conscious and self?observant.
Karobar-e-Sheher Yari Ki Haqiqat Aur Hai
Ye Wujood-e-Meer-o-Sultan Par Nahin Hai Munhasar
The true nature of the system of imperialism lies elsewhere:
It depends not on the existence of an individual leader of king.
Majlis-e-Millat Ho Ya Parvaiz Ka Darbar Ho
Hai Woh Sultan, Ghair Ki Khaiti Pe Ho Jis Ki Nazar
Be it a national assembly of the court of Parviz,
Whoever casts a covetous eye on other’s harvest is a king.
Tu Ne Kya Dekha Nahin Maghrib Ka Jumhoori Nizam
Chehra Roshan, Androon Changaiz Se Tareek Tar!
Have you not observed the democratic system of the West?
With a brilliant exterior, its interior is darker than Genghis’s.
Teesra Musheer (THIRD COUNCILOR):
Rooh-e-Sultani Rahe Baqi To Phir Kya Iztarab
Hai Magar Kya Uss Yahoodi Ki Shararat Ka Jawab?
No cause for anxiety then, if the spirit of imperialism be preserved:
But what counter?measure to the mischief wrought by that Jew have you?
Woh Kaleem Be-Tajalli, Woh Maseeh Be-Saleeb
Neest Peghambar Wa Lekin Dar Baghal Darad Kitab
That Moses without Light, that Jesus without the Cross:
No prophet is he, yet with him a book he carries.
Kya Bataun Kya Hai Kafir Ki Nigah-e-Parda Souz
Mashriq-o-Maghrib Ki Qaumon Ke Liye Roz-e-Hisab
I can hardly explain what significance does the infidel penetrating vision possess:
It is, methinks, the day of reckoning for the peoples of the East and the West.
Iss Se Barh Kar Aur Kya Ho Ga Tabiat Ka Fasad
Torh Di Bandon Ne Aaqaon Ke Khaimon Ki Tanab!
No greater corruption of human nature than this would be:
Slaves have broken asunder the ropes of the masters’ tents.
Chotha Musheer (FOURTH COUNCILOR):
Torh Uss Ka Rumatul Kubra Ke Aewanon Mein Dekh
Aal-e-Ceaser Ko Dikhaya Hum Ne Phir Ceaser Ka Khawab
Watch its counteraction in the palaces of Imperial Rome:
Again did we inspire in the descendants of Caesar the dream of Caesar.
Kon Behar-e-Rome Ki Moujon Se Hai Lipta Huwa
'Gah Balad Choon Sanobar' Gah Nalad Choon Rabab
Who is coiled round the waves of the Mediterranean?
That now expands like a pine, and then wails like a rebeck!
Teesra Musheer (THIRD COUNCILOR)
Mein To Uss Ki Aaqabat Beeni Ka Kuch Qael Nahin
Jis Ne Afrangi Siasat Ko Kiya Yun Behijab
Little do I recognize him to be a man of far?sighted wisdom:
(A fool!) who has thus European politics exposed.
Panchwan Musheer -Iblees Ko Mukhatib Kar Ke (FIFTH COUNCILOR -TURNING TO IBLIS):
Ae Tere Souz-e-Nafas Se Kaar-e-Aalam Ustawar!
Tu Ne Jab Chaha, Kiya Har Pardagi Ko Ashikaar
O you! the fire of whose breath lends stability to the world?process:
Whenever you wished, everything hidden presently did you reveal.
Aab-o-Gill Teri Hararat Se Jahan-e-Souz-o-Saaz
Abla-e-Jannat Teri Taleem Se Danaye Kaar
It is your fire that has transformed dead earth and water into a world of beauty and endeavour:
Inspired by your instruction, the fool of Paradise turns a seer
Tujh Se Barh Kar Fitrat-e-Aadam Ka Woh Mehram Nahin
Sada Dil Bandon Mein Jo Mashoor Hai Parwardigar
More closely familiar with man’s nature than you is not He:
Who among the simpletons is known as God the Sustainer.
Kaam Tha Jin Ka Fakat Taqdees-o-Tasbeeh-o-Tawaf
Teri Gairat Se Abad Tak Sar Nigun-o-Sharamsaar
Those whose business was confined to sanctifying, singing hymns and going round:
Your sense of self?respect has out them to shame for ever, with their heads hanging low.
Garcha Hain Tere Mureed Afrang Ke Sahir Tamam
Ab Mujhe In Ki Farasat Par Nahin Hai Atibar
Though the wizards of Europe all are disciples to you:
No longer have I faith in their sagacity left.
Ye Yahoodi Fitna Gar, Woh Rooh-e-Mazdak Ka Barooz
Har Kaba Hone Ko Hai Iss Ke Janoon Se Tar Tar
That Jew, that mischief?maker, that reincarnation of Mazdak:
Each tunic is about to be torn to shreds by his fanaticism.
Zagh-e-Dashti Ho Raha Hai Humsar-e-Shaheen-o-Chargh
Kitni Sura’at Se Badalta Hai Mazaaj-e-Rozgar
Behold! the wild crow is vying with the falcon and the hyena:
Lo, how swiftly does the disposition of Time allow of a change!
Cha Gyi Ashufta Ho Kar Wusat-e-Aflaak Par
Jis Ko Nadani Se Hum Samajhe The Ek Musht-e-Ghubar
It spread about, and covered the whole expanse of skies:
What we unwisely had taken for a handful of dust.
Fitna-e-Farda Ki Haibat Ka Ye Alam Hai Ke Aaj
Kanpte Hain Kohsar-o-Murghzar-o-Ju’ay bar
Such is the state of the ghastly dread of the morrow’s disturbance:
To?day tremble with overwhelming awe, mountains, meadows and rivers all.
Mere Aaqa! Vo Jahan Zair-o-Zabar Hone Ko Hai
Jis Jahan Ka Hai Fakat Teri Sayadat Par Madar
That world is going to turn topsy?turvy, my Lord!
The world which resteth solely on your governance.
Iblees -Apne Musheeron Se (IBLIS -TO HIS COUNCILORS):
Hai Mere Dast-e-Tasarruf Mein Jahan-e-Rang O Bu
Kya Zameen, Kya Mehar O Mah, Kya Asaman-e-Tu Ba Tu
Absolute command have I of the world of scent and hue!
The earth, the sun, the moon and the firmaments all
Dekh Lain Ge Apni Ankhon Se Tamasha Gharb-o-Sharak
Main Ne Jab Garma Diya Aqwam-e-Europe Ka Lahoo
With their own eyes shall the West and the East witness the Spectacle:
When I but warm the blood of the nations of Europe
Kya Imamane Siasat, Kya Kaleesa Ka Shayookh
Sub Ko Diwana Bana Sakti Hai Meri Aik Hoo
The leaders of politics and the patriarchs of church all:
One call from me would be enough to turn them mad.
Kargah Sheesha Jo Nadan Samjhta Hai Usse
Tor Kar Dekhe To Iss Tehzeeb Ke Jam-o-Saboo!
The fool who considers it to be mere glass?work:
Let him dare smash the goblets and ewers of this Civilization.
Dast-e-Fitrat Ne Kiya Hai Jin Girebanon Ko Chaak
Mazdaki Mantaq Ki Souzan Se Nahin Hote Rafoo
The collars torn asunder by the hand of Nature:
Can’t be darned with the needle of the Mazdakite logic.
Kab Dara Sakte Hain Mujh Ko Ishtaraki Koocha Gard
Ye Preshan Rozgar, Ashufta Maghz, Ashufta Mu
How could I be frightened by these Socialists, straying about the streets?
Wretched and straitened, distracted in mind, incoherent in speech!
Hai Agar Mujh Ko Khatar Koi To Uss Ummat Se Hai
Jis Ki Khatstar Mein Hai Ab Tak Shirar-e-Arzu
Amongst this people there are still to be seen a few
Which still a spark of ambition hidden in its ashes retains
Khal Khal Iss Qaum Mein Ab Tak Nazar Ate Hain Vo
Karte Hain Ashak-E-Sehargahi Se Jo Zalim Wazoo
The only menace I anticipate may come that community:
Who go so far as to perform their ablutions with the tears of pre?morning hours.
Janta Hai, Jis Pe Roshan Batin-e-Ayyam Hai
Mazdkiat Fitna-e-Farda Nahin, Islam Hai!
Knows he to whom are revealed the inner secrets of Time:
Not Mazdakism, but Islam is to be the trouble of the morrow.
Janta Hun Main Ye Ummat Hamal-e-Quran Nahin
Hai Wohi Sarmayadari Banda-e-Momin Ka Deen
I do know this community is no longer the bearer of the Quran:
The same Capitalism is the religion of the Believer now
Janta Hun Main Ke Mashriq Ki Andheri Raat Mein
Be Yad-e-Baiza Hai Peeran-e-Haram Ki Asteen
And I know, too, that in the dark night of the East
The sleeve of the holy ones of the Sanctuary is bereft of the white, illuminating hand.
Asre-e-Hazir Ke Taqazaon Se Hai Lekin Ye Khof
Ho Na Jaye Ashakara Shara-e-Peghambar Kahin
The demands of the present age, however, spell the apprehension:
Lest the Shari‘ah of the Prophet should come to light one day:
Alhazar! Aaeen-e-Peghambar Se Sou Bar Alhazar
Hafiz-e-Namoos-e-Zan, Mard Azma, Mard-e-Afreen
Beware, a hundred times beware, of the Law of the Prophet!—
The protector of women’s honour, the tester of men’s capacities, the rearer of worthy men!
Mout Ka Pegham Har Nu-e-Ghulami Ke Liye
Ne Koi Faghfoor-o-Khaqaan, Ne Fareeq-e-Reh Nasheen
The message of death to any kind of slavery!
No sovereigns and no monarchs, no mendicants begging!
Karta Hai Doulat Ko Har Aaludgi Se Pak Saaf
Munemon Ko Maal-o-Doulat Ka Banata Hai Ameen
It does purify wealth of all pollution:
It makes the wealthy trustees of wealth and property.
Iss Se Barh Kar Aur Kya Fikar-o-Amal Ka Inqilaab
Padshahon Ki Nahin, Allah Ki Hai Ye Zameen!
What greater revolution in thought and action will there be:
Not to the crowned heads, but to God alone does this Earth belong!
Chasme Alam Se Rahe Poshida Ye Aaeen To Khoob
Ye Ghanimat Hai Ke Khud Momin Hai Mehroom-e-Yaqeen
Better, if this Law be kept hidden from the world’s eye:
So much the better, the Believer himself is deprived of inner conviction.
Hai Ye Behter Elahiyat Mein Uljha Rahe
Ye Kitab Ullah Ki Taweelat Mein Uljha Rahe
Better that he remains busy and entangled in the metaphysical theology:
Better, that he remains busy and entangled in the interpretations of the Book of God.
Tor Dalain Jis Ki Takbeerain Talism-e-Shash Jihat
Ho Na Roshan Uss Khuda Andaish Ki Tareek Raat
Whose cries of God is Most High could break the charm of the universe:
May the dark night of that God?thinking man not ever turn bright!
Ibne Mariam Mar Gya Ya Zinda Javaid Hai
Hain Sifat-e-Zaat-e-Haq, Haq Se Judda Ya Ayn Zaat?
Is the Son of Mary dead or is he endowed with eternal life?
Are the Attributes of God separate from God, or do they form what He is?
Ane Wale Se Maseeh-e-Nasiri Maqsood Hai
Ye Mujaddid, Jis Mein Hon Farzand-e-Mariam Ke Sifat?
Does the expected mean Jesus of Nazareth?
Or a Renewer, endowed with the attributes of the Son of Mary?
Hain Kalam Ullah Ke Alfaz Hadis Ya Qadeem
Ummat Marhoom Ke Hai Kis Aqeede Mein Nijat?
Are the letters of the Word of God New or of Old?
In which of the doctrines does the salvation of the Blessed Community lies
Kya Musalman Ke Liye Kafi Nahin Iss Dour Mein
Ye Elahiyat Ke Tarshay Huwe Laat- O-Manaat?
Are not enough to the Faithful in this age:
These idols of worship carved by Metaphysical Theology?
Tum Isse Begana Rakho Alam-e-Kirdar Se
Ta Bisat-e-Zindagi Mein Iss Ke Sub Muhre Hon Maat
Keep him separate from world of character
Until he loses all the plans(tactical moves) of life
Khair Issi Mein Hai, Qayamat Tak Rahe Momin Ghulam
Chor Kar Auron Ki Khatir Ye Jahan-e-Be-Sabat
Our safety lies in that Believer remains a slave till Doomsday:
Renouncing this transitory world for others’ sake.
Hai Wohi Shair-o-Tasawwuf Iss Ke Haq Mein Khoob Tar
Jo Chupa De Iss Ki Ankhon Se Tamasha-e-Hayat
What is good in his case is that poetry and mysticism
Which may keep hidden from his eyes the game of Life.
Har Nafas Darta Hun Iss Ummat Ki Baidari Se Mein
Hai Haqiqat Jis Ke Deen Ki Ahtisaab-e-Kainat
Every moment do I dread the awakening of this community
Whose religion is, in reality, nothing short of taking account of the universe
Mast Rakho Zikar-o-Fikar-e-Subhgahi Mein Isse
Pukhta Tar Kar Do Mazaaj-e-Khanqahi Mein Isse
Keep him well absorbed in the thought and contemplation of God in pre?morning hours:
Ye all make him grow stronger in his monastic disposition!
P.S.
1. Initially I wanted to share only selected verses from the poem. But once I started to make excerpts I realised that its meaningless to isolate the verses from the main body. Therefore, I am sharing it bilingually so that its essence may not be distorted. The content is copied from
http://iqbalurdu.blogspot.com/2. One of the must read poems of Allama Iqbal.
