English Translations - International Iqbal Society - Allama Iqbal

2021-02-19T16:44:07+00:00

TO JAVID (1)

The present age *destroys the faith and creed,
Like pagans has a bent of mind indeed.
The threshold of a Saint is higher far
Than court of worldly king or mighty Czar.
It is a period full or magic art,
With spell so strong all play their part.
The fount and source of life is parched and dry,
No more the wine of gnosis can supply,
The Shrines are empty of such saintly folk,
Whose glance good manners taught with single stroke.
The house, your presence illumes like a lamp,
Has mystic trend in veins and bears its stamp.
If essence of God's Oneness be in heart,
The lore or Franks can cause no harm or smart.
On rose twigs chirp, for Ion. there do not rest,
In Selfhood you must seek your home and nest.
A man is ocean that is vast and free,
Its every drop is' like the boundless sea.
If peasant is not charmed -with life of ease,
A seed can yield a thousand-fold increase.
I Don't sit like sluggards and indulge in play,
It is time for your craft and Skill's display.

TO JAVID (2)

If heart with love of God is not replete.
The life of man remains quite incomplete.
If quarry is wise acute and bold,
It can not be trapped by hunters old.
The Fount of Life in wordly life is found,
Provided you have a thirst quite true and soud,
Your envy for Faith is mystic course indeed,
For growth of Faqr a lot of zeal you need.
My darling son, I see no chance at all
That hawk will like to turn a pheasant's thrall
There is no dearth of goods, called verse or, rhyme,
There are hundreds of poets much sublime.
My reach and might in world is this alone
That 'neath the roof I cry, complain and groan
In speaking truth, I am much hold and frank,
In eyes of men I hold a lofty rank.
A son can riot acquire his Sire's renown,
Unless His grace by Mighty Lord is shown.
Nizami, the poet great of Persian tongue,
Gave counsel wise to son who still was young
"On occasions where your greatness must prevail
Your lineage there won't be of much avail".

TO JAVID (3)

The days and nights a Muslim's toils enhance
Both creed and rule are like a game of chance.
Men drunk with zeal for deeds nowhere are found,
The rest are fond of talk with idle sound.
If you have courage great and ample force.
Seek such Faqr which in Hejaz has its source.
This brand of Faqr such virtues great can grant
That make man, like God, free from every. want.
His hawk-like status can spread general death
Of sparrows, pigeons all in single breath.
The glance of mind by its means burns and blazes'
Without collyrium begged from Avicenna and Rhazes.
If temper of Ayaz is free from every slavish trend,
Like_ Mahmud can win grandeur which hasn't end.
Your world's Sarafil has neither taste no zeal,
He can't blow trumpet nor can skill reveal.
Its glance a world-wide tumult can inspire,
In obscure mode sets right the things entire.
A warrior who can this jealous Faqr attain,
Without sword and lance great conquests he can gain.
It sets the Faithful free from need and want,
Beg God that such Faqr to you He may grant

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RELIGION AND EDUCATION

I know the modes of those who guide the creed,
Though lacking truth, of vision boast, indeed.
The teaching that the English have devised
'Gainst Faith and ties has great intrigue contrived.
That race is doomed to bondage and much pain,
Which justice for its Ego can't attain.
The faults of one man Nature can reprieve,
But groups for crimes no par don can receive.

2021-02-19T16:44:07+00:00

GHAZAL

That man alone in lire shall find
To aim and end a certain sign:
Whose eyes in pitch dark night can see,
And like the eyes of panther shine.

The slaves can get repose and rest
In world confined by Time and Space
But men of high and noble birth
Haven't leisure in worldly race.

The progress great that West has mad
Has bedazzled your eyes a deal
May Prophet guard your precious sight.
To vouch him God did Najm reveal!

These revels do not last for long,
Like guests they stay for a breath or so
The bowls of wine that glint like stars,
Are soon deprived of gloss and glow.

The books have marred your taste and zest
To such a great and vast extent,
That breeze of morn has also failed
To give you clue of rose and scent.

2021-02-19T16:44:07+00:00

TEACHERS

If you desire to breed such ruby which is red,
Don't beg light of sun that from course has fled.
The world is trapped by traditions old and hoar,
Preceptors helpless quite, can do no more.
Those who deserved to lead the modern age,
Have worn out brains and others hold the stage.

2021-02-19T16:44:07+00:00

NEITZCHE

The subtle point that God is one,
The German sage could not perceive
Clear sight and mind are both a must,
So that this point one may conceive.

The flights of fancy, like a dart,
Can hit the dome of azure sky
He casts his noose on moon and sun
That seem so far above and high.

Although his natural bent of mind
From stains and blemish is quite free
His soul this dormant fact betrays,
He yearns for life replete with spree.

2021-02-19T16:44:07+00:00

THE SCHOOL

Tile present age, your constant foe,
Like Ezrail has snatched your soul
You have imbibed much care and grief
Pursuit of wealth your only goal.

When faced by rivals strong and brave.
Your heart beats fast and shakes with fear
Such life is naught but Death, in fact,
When blows of life you can not

The knowledge that this age imparts
Has made forget you craze and zest,
Which bade the mind to keep away
From pretexts that on truth didn't rest.

With free hand Nature has bestowed
On you the eyes of hawk so keen
But bondage has replaced them with
The eyes, of bat, devoid of sheen.

The things on which schools throw no light
And keep them from your eyes concealed,
Go to retreats of mount and waste
And get them by some Guide revealed.

2021-02-19T16:44:07+00:00

EXAMINATION

Thus mountain stream to pebble spake,
"This lowly state for height you take.
You are tread upon and suffer deal,
How nice! my need the rivers feel.
You never clashed against a wall,
Don't know, a stone or glass to call".

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THE STUDENT

May God acquaint you with some gale
Your tides no stir at all exhale
Respite from books you do not get,
But Book Revealed too soon forget.

2021-02-19T16:44:07+00:00

MODERN AGE

Where from a man can find
Ripe thoughts in present age?
The weather of this park
No ripeness can presage.

The seats of learning give
The mind of pupils scope
But leave the thoughts of youth
Unlinked by thread or rope.

The love of God is dead
By unbelief 'mong Franks
Through lack of link in thoughts,
East Shackles wears on shanks.

2021-02-19T16:44:07+00:00

HONOURED GUEST

The minds of, those who go to school,
In thoughts quite fresh and new are clad
Alas! there are such people few
Who draw a line 'twixt good and bad.
Perhaps some luminous thought may flash
Across the inmost part of heart
For such inspiring thoughts one must
Set some recess in heart apart.