English Translations - International Iqbal Society - Allama Iqbal https://www.iqbal.com.pk/poetical-works/english-translations/932-call-of-the-marching-bell-part-2/call-of-the-marching-bell-part-2-ghazals Fri, 19 Feb 2021 23:59:52 +0000 en-gb noreply@iqbal.com.pk (Int. Iqbal Society) https://www.iqbal.com.pk/poetical-works/english-translations/932-call-of-the-marching-bell-part-2/call-of-the-marching-bell-part-2-ghazals/813-time-has-come-for-openness-beloveds-sight-will-be-common https://www.iqbal.com.pk/poetical-works/english-translations/932-call-of-the-marching-bell-part-2/call-of-the-marching-bell-part-2-ghazals/813-time-has-come-for-openness-beloveds-sight-will-be-common Introduction
This ghazal was written in 1907, i.e. about the end of `Allamah Iqbal's stay in Europe. It is the first expression of his thoughts based on his experiences in Europe. The ghazal covers several of his favorite themes. There was a time when, as a result of the knowledge spreading from Islamic Spain, Europe was starting to be freed from the theocracy of the Roman Catholic Church and the Holy Roman Empire, which had kept Europe enslaved in bondage of ignorance for centuries. Europe was beginning to benefit from the Reformation and Industrial Revolution. New discoveries in material sciences as well as metaphysics were beginning to show promise that Europe would benefit ethically from the blessings of knowledge. Allamah Iqbal also was somewhat impressed by this situation as is reflected by verses 1 3 and 10. He also got some hope of the renaissance of the Muslim world as a result of the new general awakening, as is expressed in verses 4 and 5. However, he was not completely dazed by the apparent material progress of Europe, and tempered his earlier expressed optimism with the material of verses 7 9 and 12. The rest of the ghazal briefly talks about some of the Islamic values which have been repeatedly preached by him. These are:

(i) The supremacy of the Heart over Intellect (verse 11). Also see Note 8 to Poem 73 "Abd al Qadir Key Nam (Addressed to Abd al Qadir) and Introduction to ghazal 75 5.

(ii) Love of humanity is of prime importance for piety and religion (verse 13).

(iii) Avoiding ostentation, and practicing perseverance and selflessness is very important in Love for God (verses 14 16).

(iv) Expression of his own ambition for participation in the important task of struggle for Islam's revival and renaissance (verse 15). The ghazal ends with an expression of his own condition. (verse 17).

Translation
Time has come for openness, Beloved's Sight will be common
The secret which silence had concealed, will be unveiled now

O Cup bearer! Time has gone when wine was taken secretly
The whole world will be tavern, everyone will be drinking

Those who once wandered insane, will return to habitations
Lovers' wandering will be the same but deserts will be new

The Hijaz's silence has proclaimed to the waiting ear at last
The covenants established with desert's inhabitants will be re affirmed

Which coming out of deserts had overturned the Roman Empire
I have heard from the Qudsis that the same lion will be re-awakened

As the cup bearer mentioned me in the wine drinkers' assembly
The tavern's sage said, "He is insolent, he will be disgraced"

O Western world's inhabitants, God's world is not a shop!
What you are considering genuine, will be regarded counterfeit

Your civilization will commit suicide with its own dagger
The nest built on the frail branch will not be durable

The caravan of the feeble ants will make fleet of rose petals
However strong the ocean waves' tumult be it will cross the ocean

The poppy, roaming in the garden, shows its spots to every f lower-bud
Knowing that by this exhibition it will be counted among the Lovers

O Sight! That was the One you showed us as a thousand
If this is your state what will be your credibility? 1

As I told the turtledove one day the free of here are treading on dust !
The buds started saying that I must be the knower of the garden's secrets!

There are thousands of God's Lovers, who are roaming in the  wilderness
I shall adore the one who will be the lover of God's people

This is the world's custom, O Heart! Even winking is a sin
What will our respect be if you will be restless here?

In the darkness of the night I shall take out my tired caravan
My sigh will be shedding sparks my breath will be throwing f lames

If there is nothing but show in the aim of your life
Your destruction from the world will be in a breath like spark

Do not ask about the condition of Iqbal, he is in the same state
Sitting somewhere by the wayside he must be waiting for oppression!

Explanatory Notes
1. Allusion to the theories of Intellect about  God, which present  an enigma to Man. This attains nothing but confusion. However, Iman , Love of  God and Faith present the Truth through the revelation of the Holy Qur'an. In this condition Intellect cannot be trusted as a guide on this path.



]]> mehreen.misbah@disna.us (Mehreen Misbah) Call Of The Marching Bell - Part 2 - Ghazals https://www.iqbal.com.pk/poetical-works/english-translations/932-call-of-the-marching-bell-part-2/call-of-the-marching-bell-part-2-ghazals/812-we-circumambulate-the-winecup-like-the-wines-reflection https://www.iqbal.com.pk/poetical-works/english-translations/932-call-of-the-marching-bell-part-2/call-of-the-marching-bell-part-2-ghazals/812-we-circumambulate-the-winecup-like-the-wines-reflection Translation
We circumambulate the wine cup like the wine's  reflection
We are offering this prayer from morning till evening 1

You are not singular in this O Kal�m 2
Trees and stones are also talking with God 3

O Candle! Search for a new world, because here 4
We are enduring tyrannies of the incomplete Love

O Companions! Silence in this garden is good
As the melodious ones are kept in cages here

Those whose purpose is pleasure from wine
Are changing the lawful into the unlawful 5

How can you and we reconcile, O preacher
As we are making the custom of Love universal!

O God! What magic is concealed in the saints, clad in rags!
That they subdue the youth with a single glance

I shudder at the pleasures  of  their  assemblies
Who are getting fame by destroying their homes

May the meadows of the motherland be ever flourishing
We are saluting you from the ship 6 sailing away

]]> mehreen.misbah@disna.us (Mehreen Misbah) Call Of The Marching Bell - Part 2 - Ghazals https://www.iqbal.com.pk/poetical-works/english-translations/932-call-of-the-marching-bell-part-2/call-of-the-marching-bell-part-2-ghazals/811-o-worldly-congregation-though-your-gatherings-were-attractive https://www.iqbal.com.pk/poetical-works/english-translations/932-call-of-the-marching-bell-part-2/call-of-the-marching-bell-part-2-ghazals/811-o-worldly-congregation-though-your-gatherings-were-attractive Introduction
This ghazal is on the subject of the controversy between Intellect and Love, for which see Chapter 3, paragraph "Controversy of `Aql O Dil". The climax is reached in verses 2 and 4. Allamah Iqbal has expressed this thought in many poems, a few are of which are presented below;

(191) B `Al in the Lailah's camel's dust-clouds is lost
Rumi's hand got the curtain of her litter

(192) This dived deeper so as to reach the pearl
That got caught in the whirlpool like mote

(Appendix III, No. 24.)

(193) In logic I get the smell of immaturity
Its arguments are arguments of immaturity!

(194) The closed doors are opened to me
By a verse of Rumi or Jami

(Appendix III, No. 33.)

Translation
O worldly congregation! Though your gatherings were attractive
Some degree of melancholy there was in your spectacles

Finally that dust acquired comfort in Love
Which had been wandering long in Intellect's wilderness

O Wine! How much enamored you were with the custom of concealment
After emerging from grape's veil you were concealed in the decanter

Knowledge could not comprehend the Beauty's effect
So much ignorance prevailed in all the world's sages

O Iqbal! I have searched for it in Europe in vain
The characteristic which was in the beauties of India



 

]]> mehreen.misbah@disna.us (Mehreen Misbah) Call Of The Marching Bell - Part 2 - Ghazals https://www.iqbal.com.pk/poetical-works/english-translations/932-call-of-the-marching-bell-part-2/call-of-the-marching-bell-part-2-ghazals/810-thy-splendor-is-manifest-in-thunder-in-fire-in-spark https://www.iqbal.com.pk/poetical-works/english-translations/932-call-of-the-marching-bell-part-2/call-of-the-marching-bell-part-2-ghazals/810-thy-splendor-is-manifest-in-thunder-in-fire-in-spark Introduction
This ghazal is mainly on "Wahdat al-Shuhud ". This thought has been expressed in verses 1 5 and 7. The remaining two verses are also in the same trend and mean that the true Lover of God does not care for reward on the Day of Judgment, not even the reward of  His Sight.

Translation
Thy splendor is manifest in thunder, in fire, in spark
Thy luster is evident in the moon, in the sun, in the star

Thy elegance exists in skies' heights, and in earths' depths
It is in the ocean's flow, and in falling behind of the shore

Why should Shari`ah be the accuser of the eloquence' taste?
I only conceal the meaning of my heart in metaphors

The real life1 in Man is pervading in everything
It is in tree, in flower, in animal, in stone, in star

The heat of the drop of Love's tear has consumed me
Boundless fire existed in this little drop of water

There is no longing in me for reward of the Judgment Day
I am the merchant who sees profit in the loss

Being unaware of tranquillity is existence for it
O God! Restlessness of which heart is residing in mercury

O Iqbal I am silent after hearing the call of "Lan Tarani" 2
Being afflicted with separation I have no strength for importunity



]]> mehreen.misbah@disna.us (Mehreen Misbah) Call Of The Marching Bell - Part 2 - Ghazals https://www.iqbal.com.pk/poetical-works/english-translations/932-call-of-the-marching-bell-part-2/call-of-the-marching-bell-part-2-ghazals/809-the-world-will-know-when-the-flood-of-conversation-will-emerge-from-my-heart https://www.iqbal.com.pk/poetical-works/english-translations/932-call-of-the-marching-bell-part-2/call-of-the-marching-bell-part-2-ghazals/809-the-world-will-know-when-the-flood-of-conversation-will-emerge-from-my-heart Introduction
This ghazal is difficult linguistically as well as in contents. Its main theme is longing for knowledge, which is a basic human character. The Longing for the Ultimate Truth or the Zat of God is the noblest thirst for knowledge and falls to the share of the spiritually highest strata of the human society. This thought is contained in verses 1,2,4,6,7,8, and 12. However, this Longing requires ethical and spiritual elegance. Those who do not have this elegance cannot be benefited from this Longing (verse 3). Such people have the longing only for the material objects of life (verses 5 and 10). People who have the Longing for the Truth get the spiritual fulfillment of life and, among other things, are liable to appreciate the Unity of God in the diversity of His creation (verses 11 and 12). Two verses, 9 and 13, are personal. The former is a sarcasm on the people who do not understand him and so disregard or even condemn him. The latter is also the closing verse to express his goodwill to his relatives and friends.

The contradiction between verse 2 and 13 is only apparent. The former refers to an inanimate object like the pearl, i.e. a person without ability of comprehension, while the latter is with reference to himself and others like him, i.e. Mumins with ability to comprehend.

Translation
The world will know when the flood of conversation will emerge from my heart
This is not my silence, but is the shrine of the word of my Longing

As the ocean wave said, "My dignity is established by flowing"
The pearl said, "Sitting in shell is the safety of my brightness"

Whose temperament does not deserve are not improved by training
Reflection of the river bank's cypress does not prosper by living in the water

I did not see any heart in which Longing is not concealed
O God! What is Thy universe! It is a picture gallery of Longing

It dawned after death that our life was a spell of greed
What we called material body, was dust cloud of greed's lane

Why am I the embodiment of search if nothing is concealed?
The sight is Longing for the Spectacle, the heart is mad after the Search


The garden's flower bud asked the gardener, "Why is Man so heartless?
The breaking of my wine glass is occasion for smile in your eyes

The effulgence of Love emanates from every speck of the existence' garden
If you know the reality of rose, it is also a combination of color and fragrance"

All my writings are anachronism, my poetry is completely  defective
If somebody sees some skill in me it is the fault of my critic

Decorum requires silence, otherwise Thy Mercy is worse than Tyranny
Thou hast given a tiny heart, which also is misled towards greed

Unity's perfection is so evident that if you cut with the knife ' s tip
Sure you would see human blood trickling out of the rose' vein

The age of taqlid has passed, allegorism should depart!
When the Truth itself is evident who is authorized to talk?

If I am far from home, my relatives should not be sad
Like pearl separation from home is perfecting my elegance



]]> mehreen.misbah@disna.us (Mehreen Misbah) Call Of The Marching Bell - Part 2 - Ghazals https://www.iqbal.com.pk/poetical-works/english-translations/932-call-of-the-marching-bell-part-2/call-of-the-marching-bell-part-2-ghazals/808-o-god-teach-a-little-love-to-my-happy-intellect https://www.iqbal.com.pk/poetical-works/english-translations/932-call-of-the-marching-bell-part-2/call-of-the-marching-bell-part-2-ghazals/808-o-god-teach-a-little-love-to-my-happy-intellect Introduction
Though apparently this ghazal, like all ghazals expresses various thoughts in its different verses these thoughts are borne on a single logical thread. Three mutually inter connected messages are conveyed, viz. (i) Intellect alone is not sufficient for human existence (See Chapter 3, paragraph "Aql O Dil"). (ii) A Muslim is not confined to any place, he is universal and his nation is not based on geographical countries. (iii) Allamah Iqbal did not believe in "art for art's sake" and used poetry only to convey his message of Islam to the people in succinct and impressive form.

Translation
O God ! Teach a little Love to my happy Intellect .
It loves fine stitching but my shirt has no collar

As I got Love's ardor the angels said on azal's morning
"You are like the grave's candle, you have no assembly"

No friend is available here, this land is friendless, O Heart!
You want something from me which does not exist under the sky

The Arab architect made it distinct from the whole world
The foundation of our nation's fort is not geographical unity

Why this coming and going, future's concern is a conceit
We are manifest in everything, we do not have any homeland

Somebody should take my message to the Makhzan's editor

Activist nations do not have taste for poetic literature!

 

]]> mehreen.misbah@disna.us (Mehreen Misbah) Call Of The Marching Bell - Part 2 - Ghazals https://www.iqbal.com.pk/poetical-works/english-translations/932-call-of-the-marching-bell-part-2/call-of-the-marching-bell-part-2-ghazals/706-the-life-of-man-is-no-more-than-a-breath https://www.iqbal.com.pk/poetical-works/english-translations/932-call-of-the-marching-bell-part-2/call-of-the-marching-bell-part-2-ghazals/706-the-life-of-man-is-no-more-than-a-breath Introduction
This ghazal, though apparently simple, is fairly mystical and ends on the note of sarcasm on the people whose piety is only for outward show.


Translation


The life of Man is no more than a breath!
Breath is a wave of air, it is no more than a flow

The flower was depicting life as a smile, but
The candle said that it is no more than a cry of grief !

The secret of life is a secret till there is a confidante
When it is open, it is nothing more than the confidante !

Somebody should ask the pilgrims of Ka'bah, O Iqbal
Is the gift of the Haram nothing more than Zamzam?

]]> noman.bokhari@iqbalsociety.org (Noman Bokhari) Call Of The Marching Bell - Part 2 - Ghazals