(Bal-e-Jibril-006) Kya Ishq Aik Zindagi-e-Mastaar Ka (کیا عشق ایک زندگی مستعار کا) What avails love when life is so ephemeral

Kya Ishq Aik Zindagi-e-Mastaar Ka

Kya Ishq Paidar Se Na-Paidar Ka

What avails love when life is so ephemeral?

What avails a mortal’s love for the immortal?

Woh Ishq Jis Ki Shama Bujha De Ajal Ki Phoonk

Uss Mein Maza Nahin Tapish-o-Intizaar Ka

Love that is snuffed out by death’s passing blast

Love without the pain, the passion that consumes?

Meri Bisaat Kya Hai, Tab-o-Taab-e-Yak Nafas

Shole Se Bemehal Hai Ulajhna Sharaar Ka

A flickering spark I am, aglow for a fleeting glance

Flow vain for a flickering spark to chase an eternal flame!

Kar Pehle Mujh Ko Zindagi Javidan Atta

Phir Zauq-o-Shauq Dekh Dil-e-Beqarar Ka

Grant me the bliss of eternal life, O Lord,

and mine will be the ecstasy of eternal love.

Kanta Woh De Ke Jis Ki Khatak La-zawal Ho

Ya Rab! Woh Dard Jis Ki Kasak La-zawal Ho

Give me the pleasure of an everlasting pain

An agony that lacerates my soul for ever.

(Bal-e-Jibril-005) Asar Kare Na Kare, Sun To Le Meri Faryad (اثر کرے نہ کرے، سن تو لے میری فریاد) Whether or not it moves you, At least listen to my complaint

Asar Kare Na Kare, Sun To Le Meri Faryad

Nahin Hai Dad Ka Talib Ye Banda’ay Azad

Whether or not it moves you, At least listen to my complaint—

It is not redress this free spirit seeks.

Ye Musht-e-Khaak, Ye Sar Sar, Ye Wusaat-e-Aflak

Karam Hai Ya Ke Sitam Teri Lazzat-e-Ijad

This handful of dust, this fiercely blowing wind, and these vast, limitless heavens—

Is the delight You take in creation a blessing or some wanton joke?

Thehar Saka Na Huwa’ay Chaman Mein Khaima’ay Gul

Ye Hai Fasal-e-Bahari, Ye Hai Baad-e-Murad

The tent of the rose could not withstand the wind blowing through the garden:

Is this the spring season, and this the auspicious wind?

Kasoorwar, Ghareeb-ud-Diyar Hun, Lekin

Tera Kharaba Farishte Na Kar Sake Abad

I am at fault, and in a foreign land,

But the angels never could make habitable that wasteland of yours.

Meri Jafa Talbi Ko Duaen Deta Hai

Woh Dasht-e-Sada, Woh Tera Jahan-e-Bebunyad

Gratefully remembers my love of hardship.

That stark wilderness, that insubstantial world of Yours

Khatar Pasand Tabiyat Ko Saazgaar Nahin

Woh Gulistan Ke Jahan Ghaat Mein Na Ho Sayyad

An adventurous spirit is ill at ease

In a garden where no hunter lies in ambush.

Maqam-e-Shauq Tere Qudsiyon Ke Bus Ka Nahin

Unhi Ka Kaam Hai Ye Jin Ke Hosle Hain Zayyad

The station of love is beyond the reach of Your angels,

Only those of dauntless courage are up to it.

(Bal-e-Jibril-004) Gaisu-e-Tabdar Ko Aur Bhi Tabdar Kar (گیسوۓ تابدار کو اور بھی تابدار کر) Bright are Your tresses: brighten them even more

Gaisuay Tabdar Ko Aur Bhi Tabdar Kar

Hosh-o-Khirad Shakar Kar, Qalb-o-Nazar Shakar Kar

Bright are Your tresses: brighten them even more:

Ravish the senses and the mind, ravish the heart and the eyes.

Ishq Bhi Ho Hijab Mein, Husn Bhi Ho Hijab Mein

Ya Tu Khud Ashkar Ho Ya Mujhe Aashkar Kar

Love concealed, and beauty too!

Reveal Yourself to me, or reveal me to myself.

Tu Hai Muheet-e-Bekaran, Mein Hun Zara Si Aabjoo

Ya Mujhe Hamkinar Kar Ya Mujhe Bekinar Kar

You are the limitless ocean and I am but a tiny rivulet—

Either make Your peer or turn me limitless at least.

Main Hun Sadaf Tou Tere Hath Mere Guhar Ki Abroo

Mein Hun Khazaf Tou Tu Mujhe Gohar-e-Shahwar Kar

If I am a mother‐of‐pearl, the lustre of my pearl is in Your hands,

But if I am a piece of brick, give me a diamond’s sheen.

Naghma’ay Nau Bahar Agar Mere Naseeb Mein Na Ho

Iss Dam-e-Neem Souz Ko Taeerak-e-Bahar Kar

If I am not destined to sing at the advent of Spring,

Make this half‐enraptured breath a skylark of the Spring.  

Bagh-e-Bahisht Se Mujhe Hukam-e-Safar Diya Tha Kyun

Kaar-e-Jahan Daraz Hai, Ab Mera Intizar Kar

Why did You order me to quit the Garden of Eden?—

Now there is much to be done here—so just wait for me!

Roz-e-Hisab Jab Mera Paish Ho Daftar-e-Amal

Aap Bhi Sharamsaar Ho, Mujh Ko Bhi Sharamsaar Kar

When the roll of my deeds is brought up on the Day of Reckoning,

Be ashamed as You will shame me.

(Bal-e-Jibril-003) Tere Shishe Mein Mai Baqi Nahin Hai

Tere Shishe Mein May Baqi Nahin Hai

Bata, Kya Tu Mera Saqi Nahi Hai

Samundar Se Mille Piyase Ko Shabnam

Bakheeli Hai Ye Razzaqi Nahin Hai 

(Bal-e-Jibril-002) Agar Kaj Ro Hain Anjum, Asman Tera Hai Ya Mera (اگر کج رو ہیں انجم, آسمان تیرا ہے یا میرا) If the stars have strayed...

Agar Kaj Ro Hain Anjum, Asman Tera Hai Ya Mera

Mujhe Fikar-e-Jahan Kyun Ho, Jahan Tera Hai Ya Mera?

If the stars have strayed—To whom do the heavens belong, You or Me?

Why must I worry about the world—To whom does this world belong, You or Me?

Agar Hangama Ha’ay Shauq Se Hai La-Makan Khali

Khata Kis Ki Hai Ya Rab ! La-Makan Tera Hai Ya Mera?

If the Placeless Realm Offers no lively scenes of passion and longing,

Whose fault is that, my Lord?—Does that realm belong to You or to me?

Usse Subah-e-Azal Inkaar Ki Juraat Hui Kyun Kar

Mujhe Maloom Kya, Woh Raazdan Tera Hai Ya Mera?

On the morning of eternity he dared to say ʹNoʹ,

But how would I know why—Is he Your confidant, or is he mine?

Muhammad (S.A.W.) Bhi Tera, Jibreel Bhi, Quran Bhi Tera

Magar Ye Harf-e-Shireen Tarjuman Tera Hai Ya Mera?

Muhammad (PBUH) is Yours, Gabriel is Yours, The Qurʹan is Yours—

But this discourse, This exposition in melodious tunes, Is it Yours or is it mine?

Issi Koukab Ki Tabani Se Hai Tera Jahan Roshan

Zawal-e-Adam-e-Khaki Zayan Tera Hai Ya Mera?

Your world is illuminated by the radiance of the same star

Whose loss was the fall of Adam, that creature of earth, Was it Yours or mine?

(Bal-e-Jibril-001) Meri Nawa-e-Shauk Se Shor Hareem-e-Zaat Mein (میری نوا شوق سے شور حریم ذات میں) My epiphany of passion causes...

Meri Nawa’ay Shauq Se Shor Hareem-e-Zaat Mein

Ghalghala Ha’ay Al-Aman But Kada’ay Sifaat Mein

My epiphany of passion causes commotion in the precinct of the Divine Essence,

Strikes terror in the pantheon of His Attributes.

Hoor-o-Farishta Hain Aseer Mere Takhaiyulat Mein

Meri Nigah Se Khalal Teri Tajalliyat Mein

The houri and the angel are captives of my imaginations—

My glance ruffles Your Manifestations.

Garche Hai Meri Justujoo Dair-o-Haram Ki Naqsh Band

Meri Faghan Se Rustkhaiz Kaaba-o-Somanat Mein

My quest is the architect of the Mosque and the idol‐house,

Though my song causes tumult both in the Ka‘bah and Somnath.

Gah Meri Nigah-e-Taiz Cheer Gyi Dil-e-Wujood

Gah Uljah Ke Reh Gyi Meri Touwahamaat Mein

My sharp vision pierced through the core of existence;

Confounded by my illusions at yet another time.

Tu Ne Ye Kya Ghazab Kiya, Mujh Ko Bhi Fash Kar Diya

Main Hi Tou Aik Raaz Tha Sina’ay Kainat Mein !

Oh what a rash deed that You did not leave me hidden:

I was the only secret in the conscience of the universe!

(Armaghan-e-Hijaz-43-Book Complete) Hazrat-e-Insan (حضرت انسان) The Human Being

Hazrat-E-Insan

The Human Being

Jahan Mein Danish-O-Beenish Ki Hai Kis Darja Arzani

Koi Shay Chup Nahin Sakti K Ye Alam Hai Noorani

To know and see is so easy in the world.

Nothing may stay hidden for this universe is luminous.

Koi Dekhe To Hai Bareek Fitrat Ka Hijab Itna

Numayan Hain Farishton Ke Tabassum Haye Pinhani

The Nature’s veil is translucent if one is willing to see:

Far too visible are the angel’s faint smiles.

Ye Duniya Dawat-E-Didar Hai Farzand-E-Adam Ko

Ke Har Mastoor Ko Bakhsha Gya Hai Zauq-E-Uryani

This world is an invitation for the human being to look,

For every secret is given an instinct to jump out of its closet.

Ye Farzand-E-Adam Hai K Jis Ke Askh-E-Khooni Se

Kiya Hai Hazrat-E-Yazdan Ne Daryaon Ko Toofani

It is the tears of human blood that the Almighty has used

For stirring up storms in His oceans.

Falak Ko Kya Khabar Ye Khaakdaan Kis Ka Nasheeman Hai

Gharz Anjum Se Hai Kis Ke Shabistan Ki Nighebani

What would the sky know whose abode is this earthy planet;

On whose nightly banquets do the stars stand in watch!

Agar Maqsood-E-Kul Main Hun To Mujh Se Mawara Kya Hai

Mere Hungama Ha’ay Nau Ban Nau Ki Intiha Kya Hai?

If I am the end of all, then what lies beyond?

Where lies the limit of my unending adventures?

(Armaghan-e-Hijaz-42) Hussain Ahmad (حسین احمد)
Translation 1 (By Prof. Yousaf Saleem Chishti)

Hussain Ahmad

Ajam Hanooz Nadand Rumooz-E-Deen, Warna

Za Deoband Husain Ahmad! Aen Che Bu-ul-Ajabi Ast

The Ajamites do not yet know, The fine points of our faith;

Otherwise Husain Ahmad of Deoband! What is this foolhardiness? 

علامہ اقبال فرماتے ہیں کہ مجھے ایسا معلوم ہوتا ہے کہ عجمی لوگ ابھی تک دین اسلام کی حقیقت سے آگاہ نہیں ہوئے ورنہ یہ کیسے ممکن تھا کہ دیوبند کے حسین احمد مسلمانوں کو ایسی تلقین کرتے جو سراسر اسلام کی روح کے خلاف ہے.  

Saroad Bar Sar-E-Minbar Ke Millat Az Watan Ast

Che Bekhabar Za-Maqam-E-Muhammad (S.A.W.) Arabi Ast

A sermon-song from the pulpit that a nation by a homeland be!

From the real position of the Arabian Prophet (PBUH), How sadly unaware is he! 

یعنی جو شخص مسلمان ہو کر یہ کہتا ہے کہ ملت اسلامیہ کی بنیاد وطن ہے یا مسلمان غیرمسلموں کے ساتھ مل کر متحدہ قومیت بنا سکتے ہیں یا کافر اور مسلم دونوں مل کر ایک قوم بن سکتے ہیں وہ سرکار دو عالم صلی الله علیہ وسلم کی تعلیمات سے بلا شبہ بےخبر ہے.

 

BaMustafa (S.A.W.) Barsaan Khowesh Ra Ke Deen Hama Ost

Agar Bah O Ner Sayyadi, Tamam Bu-Lahabi Ast

Your self merge with Mustafa (PBUH) for all faith embodies in Him! 

If you do not reach up to Him It is all Bu Lahab’s idolatry!

اے مسلمان! تو وطنیت کا جدید نظریہ اختیار مت کر جس کی رو سے قومیت کی بنیاد وطن ہے، بلکہ سرکار دو عالم صلی الله علیہ وسلم کی تعلیم کو حزر جاں بنا اور حضور صلی الله علیہ وسلم کی تعلیم یہ ہے کہ مسلمانوں کی قومیت کی بنیاد وطن نہیں ہے بلکہ کلمہ توحید ہے یعنی ساری دنیا کے مسلمان ملت واحدہ  ہیں اور اس لئے وہ کسی غیر مسلم قوم کے ساتھ مل کر متحدہ قومیت نہیں بنا سکتے.

اے مسلمان! اگر حضور صلی الله علیہ وسلم کی تعلیمات سے استفادہ نہ کر سکا یا ان کی روح سے آگاہ نہ ہو سکا تو پھر تیرا علم و فضل سب بیکار ہے بلکہ وہ تیری گمراہی کا باعث ہو جائے گا.

 ***

نظم کا پس منظر:

مولانا حسین احمد مدنی نے ٩ جنوری ١٩٣٨ کو دہلی میں ایک تقریر کی تھی جس میں انہوں نے مسلمانوں سے یہ کہا تھا کہ موجودہ زمانہ میں قومیں اوطان سے بنتی ہیں اس لئے مسلمانوں کو لازم ہے کہ مسلمانوں کی قومیت کی بنیاد دین اسلام نہیں ہے بلکہ وطن ہے. جب مولانا کی یہ تقریر حضرت علامہ اقبال کی نظر سے گزری تو انہیں سخت ملال ہوا کہ مولانا نے عالم دین ہو کر یہ خلاف اسلام تعلیم کس طرح مسلمانوں کے سامنے پیش کی اور کس طرح انہیں اس کے قبول کرنے کا مشوره دیا؟ کیونکہ قرآن، حدیث اور فقہ تینوں کی رو سے مسلمانوں کی قومیت کی بنیاد کلمہ طیبہ ہے نہ کہ وطن.

نظم کا لہجہ قدرے درشت ہے لیکن اس کی وجہ یہ ہے کہ مولانا کے اس ارشاد سے اقبال کو بہت شدید روحانی کوفت اور ذہنی اذیت پہنچی تھی.

ترجمہ و تشریح: پروفیسر یوسف سلیم چشتی

***

Translation 2 (By Prof. Hameed Ullah Shah Hashmi)

(Armaghan-e-Hijaz-41) Sir Akbar Haideri, Sadar-e-Azam Haiderabad Dakkan Ke Naam (سر اکبر حیدری، صدر اعظم حیدرآباد دکن کے نام) To Sir Akbar Hyderi The Chief Minister Of Hyderabad Deccan

Sir Akbar Haideri, Sadar-E-Azam Haidar Abad Dakkan Ke Naam

To Sir Akbar Hyderi 

The Chief Minister Of Hyderabad Deccan 

On receiving a cheque of one thousand rupees as ‘entertainment’ from the privy purse of the Nizam, which is in the charge of the Chief Minister

Tha Ye Allah Ka Farman K Shikwa-E-Parwaiz

Do Qalander Ko K Hain Iss Mein Mulukana Sifaat

It was God’s command that the pomp of Parviz 

Be given to the qalandar, for he has angelic attributes.

Mujh Se Farmaya K Le, Aur Shehanshahi Kar

Husn-E-Tadbeer Se De Ani-O-Fani Ko Sibat

I was told: Take it and be an emperor;

Confer permanence on the ephemeral with your talent.

Mein To Iss Bar-E-Amanat Ko Uthata Sar-E-Dosh

Kaam-E-Darvesh Mein Har Talakh Hai Manind-E-Nabat

I would have much honoured this trust—

All bitterness tastes sweet to the mouth of a dervish.

Ghairat-E-Faqr Magar Kar Na Saki Iss Ko Qabool

Jab Kaha Uss Ne Ye Hai Meri Khudai Ki Zakaat !

However, the self‐respect of faqr could not accept it 

When He said: this is the charity of my Godhead.

(Armaghan-e-Hijaz-40) Ghareeb-e-Shehar Hun Mein, Sun To Le Meri Faryad (غریب شہر ہوں میں، سن تو لے میری فریاد) I am quiet a stranger to the town, listen to my bewailings

(19)

Ghareeb-E-Shehar Hon Mein, Sun To Le Meri Faryad

Ke Tere Sine Mein Bhi Hon Qayamatain Abad

I am quiet a stranger to the town, listen to my bewailings;

may thy breast entertain many a resurrection!

Meri Nawa’ay Gham Aalood Hai Mataa-E-Aziz

Jahan Mein Aam Nahin Doulat-E-Dil Na-Shaad

The grief‐laden songs of mine are valuable:

the unsatisfied heart is a wealth most uncommon. 

Gila Hai Mujh Ko Zamane Ki Kaur Zauqi Se 

Samjhta Hai Meri Mehnat Ko Mehnat-E-Farhad

I fear the world does not appreciate my labour,

it isn’t like Farhad’s:

Sada’ay Tesha K Bar Sang Mei-Khud Degar Ast

Khabar Bageer K Awaz-E-Tesha Wa Jigar Ast

The axe’s noise falling on the stone is something else, 

Beware, it is voice of axe falling on the heart

* Sada'ay Taisha...Ye shair Mirza Janjanan Mazhar Alaih-e-Rehmata Ke Mashoor Bayaz 'Kharitah-e-Jawahir' mein hai.

“The axe’s noise…” This couplet is from Kharitah-i‐Jawahar, the  famous notebook of Mirza Mazhar Janijanan (May God have mercy on him).