(Zarb-e-Kaleem-020) Azadi-e-Shamsheer Ke Ilan Par

Azadi-e-Shamsheer Ke Alan Par

Written On The Occasion Of The British Governmentʹs Permission To Keep Sword 

Socha Bhi Hai Ae Mard-e-Musalman Kabhi Tu Ne

Kya Cheez Hai Foulad Ki Shamsheer-e-Jigar Dar

O Muslim, did you ever think or feel 

What is meant by piercing sword of steel?

Uss Bait Ka Ye Misra-e-Awwal Hai Ke Jis Mein

Poshida Chale Ate Hain Touheed Ke Asrar

It is the first hemistich of this verse 

That Godʹs Oneness shows in form so terse.

Hai Fikr Mujhe Misra-e-Sani Ki Ziada

Allah Kare Tujh Ko Atta Faqr Ki Talwar

My anxiety for the second half is greater though,

May God the sword of faqr on you bestow

Qabze Mein Ye Talwar Aa Jaye To Momin

Ya Khalid (R.A.) Janbaz Hai Ya Haidar-e-Karar (R.A.)

If Muslim true can get this sword in hold

He is Ali the Lion of God, or Khalid bold.

(Zarb-e-Kaleem-019) Hindi Musalman

Hindi Musalman

Indian Muslim

Gaddar-e-Watan Iss Ko Batate Hain Barhaman

Angraiz Samjahta Hai Musalman Ko Gadagar

Brahmans dub him as foe to native land, 

The English call him beggar on the other hand.

Punjab-e-Arbab-e-Nabuwwat Ki Shariat

Kehti Hai Ke Ye Momin-e-Parina Hai Kafir

The code of prophet born in Punjab says, 

ʺThis ancient Muslim owns many pagan ways.”

Awazah-e-Haq Uthta Hai Kab Aur Kidhar Se

‘Makeen Dilkam Manda Daren Kashmakas Andar !’

When and whence the call to truth shall rise, 

“My humble heart is feeling much surprise?”

(Zarb-e-Kaleem-018) Ilm Aur Irfan

Ilm Aur Deen

Knowledge And Religion

Woh Ilm Apne Boton Ka Hai Aap Ibraheem

Kya Ha Jis Ko Khuda Ne Dil-o-Nazar Ka Nadeem

Learning whom God has made the mate of heart and sight, 

Like Friend of God can break with ease all idols bright.

Zamana Aik, Hayat Aik, Kainat Bhi Aik

 Daleel-e-Kam-Nazari, Qissa-e-Jadeed-o-Qadeem

Cosmos and life are one, the world is one and same 

The tale of old and new is merely false and lame.

Zamana Aik, Hayat Aik, Kainat Bhi Aik

Daleel-e-Kam-Nazari, Qissa-e-Jadeed-o-Qadeem

A blossom can not thrive in meadow full of trees, 

Unless some drops of dew ally with pleasant breeze.

Woh Ilm, Kam Basri Jis Mein Ham-Kinar Nahin

Tajaliat-e-Kaleem-o-Mushahidat-e-Hakeem!

That ken is vision dim, In which the wise manʹs lore 

And sight that Moses viewed, Keep apart and merge no more.

Zarb-e-Kaleem-017) Touheed (توحید) Oneness Of God

Touheed

ONENESS OF GOD

Zinda Quwwat Thi Jahan Mein Yehi Touheed Kabhi

Aaj Kya Hai, Faqat Ek Masla-e-Ilm-e-Kalaam

Tauhid has been a living force in the days bygone;

What is it these days? Merely a topic of theology. 

Roshan Iss Zou Se Agar Zulmat-e-Kirdar Na Ho

Khud Musalman Se Hai Poshida Musalman Ka Maqam

If its glory doesn’t make the darkness of character radiant,

 Muslim cannot judge his elevated position. 

Main Ne Ae Meer-e-Sipah! Teri Sipah Dekhi Hai

‘QUL HU WALLAH’ Ki Shamsheer Se Khali Hain Nayam

Chief of warriors, I have witnessed your array;

Their sheaths are devoid of the sword of Say: 'He is Allah'

Aah, Iss Raaz Se Waqif Hai Na Mullah, Na Faqeeh

Wahdat Afkar Ki Be-Wahdat-e-Kirdar Hai Kham

Ah! Neither mullah nor faqih envisages the fact that

Unity of thought without unity of action is imperfect. 

Qoum Kya Cheez Hai, Qoumon Ki Imamat Kya Hai

Iss Ko Kya Samjhain Ye Bechare Do Rakat Ke Imam!

What is a nation, or how to lead it?—

What clue these leaders of prayers could have of that!

(Zarb-e-Kaleem-016) Taqdeer

Taqdeer

Destiny

Na-Ahl Ko Hasil Hai Kabhi Quwwat-o-Jabroot

Hai Khwar Zamane Meinkabhi Johar-e-Zati

Oft men who donʹt deserve get might and main, 

Anon a Personʹs gifts ungraced remain.

Shaid Koi Mantaq Ho Nihan Iss Ke Amal Mein

Taqdeer Nahin Tabe-e-Mantaq Nazar Ati

Perhaps some rules of Logic are concealed, 

Mishaps that lie in wait are not revealed.

Haan, Aik Haqiqat Hai Ke Maloom Hai Sub Ko

Tareekh-e-Ummam Jis Ko Nahin Hum Se Chupati

There is a fact that all of us can know, 

World annals much light on this matter throw.

‘Har Lehza Hai Qoumon Ke Amal Par Nazar Iss Ki

Burran Sift-e-Taeg-e-Do Paikar Nazar Iss Ki !’

Fate keeps its eye on what the nations do, 

Like two‐edged sword can riddle through and through.

(Zarb-e-Kaleem-015) Mullah-e-Haram

Mullah-e-Haram

Mullah Of The Mosque 

Ajab Nahin Ke Khuda Tak Teri Rasayi Ho

Teri Nigah Se Hai Poshida Adami Ka Maqam

I do not wonder if to God you find approach: 

You know not rank of man for which you need reproach.

Teri Namaz Mein Baqi Jalal Hai, Na Jamal

Teri Azan Mein Nahin Hai Meri Sehar Ka Payam

Your worship is devoid of grandeur, charm and grace: 

Your Call to Prayer at morn leaves cold and does not brace 

(Zarb-e-Kaleem-014) Zikar-o-Fikar

Zikr-e-Fikr

Dhikr And Fikr

Ye Hain Sub Aik Hi Salik Ki Justujoo Ke Maqam

Woh Jis Ki Shan Mein Aya Hai ‘Allam Al-Asma’

These are all a wayfarer’s search posts 

about whom the Quran says: He taught all the names.

Maqam-e-Zikr, Kamalat-e-Rumi-O-Attar

Maqam-e-Fikr, Maqalat-e-Bu Ali Seena

The achievements of Rumi and ‘Attar are stations of dhikr; 

The computations of Bu ‘Ali Sina pertain to the station of fikr.

Maqam-e-Fikr Hai Pemaish-e-Zaman-o-Makan

Maqam-e-Zikr Hai Subhana Rubi Al Aala

To measure time and space is the station of fikr, To recite: Exalted be my Lord, Most High is the station of dhikr. 

(Zarb-e-Kaleem-013) Shukar-o-Shikayat

Shukar-e-Shikayat

Thanks Cum Complaint

Main Band-e-Nadan Hun, Magar Shukar Hai Tera

Rakhta Hun Nihan Khana-e-Lahoot Se Pewand

Though unwise, thanks to God I must express 

For bonds with celestial world that I possess.

Ek Walwala Taza Diya Main Ne Dilon Ko

Lahore Se Ta-Bakhak-e-Bukhara-o-Samarqand

My songs fresh zeal to hearts of men impart,

Their charm extends to lands that lie apart.

Taseer Hai Ye Mere Nafas Ki Ke Khazan Mein

Murghan-e-Sehar Khawan Meri Sohbat Mein Hain Khoursand

In Autumn my breath makes birds that chirp in morn,

Imbibe much joy and feel no more forlorn.

Lekin Mujhe Paida Kiya Uss Dais Mein Tu Ne

Jis Dais Ke Bande Hain Ghulami Pe Razamand!

O God, to such a land I have been sent, 

Where men in abject bondage feel content.

(Zarb-e-Kaleem-012) Ijtihad

Ijtihaad 

Hind Mein Hikmat-e-Deen Koi Kahan Se Sikhe

Na Kahin Lazzat-e-Kirdar, Na Afkar-e-Aumeeq

There is no place in India where from to learn, the tenets that the Muslim Faith concern.

They are devoid of zeal for godly acts, and are not wont to seek its basic facts.

Halqa-e-Shouk Mein Woh Jurrat-e-Andesha Kahan

Aah Mehkoomi-o-Taqleed-o-Zawal-e-Tehqeeq !

The mystics, who were keen their faith to spread, are silent now and thought for them a dread. 

Alas! the state of bondage deprives of zest, slaves tread the beaten path and relinquish quest.

Khud Badalte Nahin, Quran Ko Badal Dete Hain

Huwe Kis Darja Faqeehan-e-Haram Be-Toufeeq !

The jurists are helpless to such extent canʹt change themselves but would change Quranʹs content. 

How sad, the jurists canʹt shift their outlook, but would prefer to change the Holy Book!

In Ghulamon Ka Ye Maslak Hai Ke Naqis Hai Kitab

Ke Sikhati Nahin Momin Ko Ghulami Ke Tareeq!

These abject slaves opine and cling to creed that Holy Book is full of flaws indeed. 

They think it incomplete for this fact because it fails to teach the slavish tact.

(Zarb-e-Kaleem-011) Ilm-o-Ishq

Ilm-o-Ishq

KNOWLEDGE AND LOVE

Ilm Ne Mujh Se Kaha Ishq Hai Diwana-Pan

Ishq Ne Mujh Se Kaha Ilm Hai Takhmeen-o-Zan

Knowledge said to me, Love is madness;

 Love said to me, Knowledge is calculation— 

Band-e-Takhmeen-o-Zan! Kirm-e-Kitabi Na Ban

Ishq Sarapa Huzoor, Ilm Sarapa Hijab!

O slave of calculation, do not be a bookworm!

 Love is Presence entire, Knowledge nothing but a Veil. 

Ishq Ki Garmi Se Hai Maarka-e-Kainat

Ilm Maqam-e-Sifat, Ishq Tamasha-e-Zaat

The universe is moved by the warmth of Love;

  Knowledge deals with the Attributes, Love is a vision of the Essence; 

Ishq Sukoon-o-Sabat,Ishq Hayat-o-Mamat

Ilm Hai Paida Sawal, Ishq Hai Pinhan Jawab!

Love is peace and permanence, Love is Life and Death:

 Knowledge is the rising question, Love is the hidden answer.

Ishq Ke Hain Maujazat Saltanat-o-Faqr-o-Deen

Ishq Ke Adna Ghulam Sahib-e-Taj-o-Nageen

Kingdom, faith and faqr are all miracles of Love;

 The crowned kings and lords are base slaves of Love; 

Ishq Makan-o-Makeen, Ishq Zaman-o-Zameen

Ishq Sarapa Yaqeen, Aur Yaqeen Fatah-e-Bab!

Love is the Space and the Creation, Love is Time and Earth!

 Love is conviction entire, and conviction is the key!

Shara-e-Mohabbat Mein Hai Ishrat-e-Manzil Haraam

Shorish-e-Toofan Halal, Lazzat-e-Sahil Haraam

The luxury of destination is forbidden in the religion of Love;

 Fighting the storms is permitted, but the comfort of the shore is forbidden;

Ishq Pe Bijli Halal, Ishq Pe Hasil Haraam

Ilm Hai Ibn-Ul-Kitab, Ishq Umm-Ul-Kitab!

Lightning is permitted to Love, Harvest is forbidden.

 Knowledge is the child of the Book, Love is the mother of the Book.