Rotaract Club of Karachi Metropolitan

Iqbal Nama

Dr. ALLAMA IQBAL POET OF EAST

A Project of Rotaract Club of Karachi Metropolitan

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Iqbal Nama

PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
Alama Iqbal was an heir to a very rich literary, mystic, philosophical and religious tradition. He imbibed and assimilated all that was best in the past and present Islamic and Oriental thought and culture. His range of interests covered Religion, Philosophy, Art, Politics, and Economics, the revival of Muslim life and universal brotherhood of man. His prose, not only in his national language but also in English, was powerful. His two books in English demonstrate his mastery of English. But poetry was his medium par excellence of expression. Everything he thought and felt, almost involuntarily shaped it into verse. His first book Ilm ul Iqtisad/The knowledge of Economics was written in Urdu in 1903. His first poetic work Asrar-i Khudi (1915) was followed by Rumuz-I Bekhudi (1917). Payam-i Mashriq appeared in 1923, Zabur-i Ajam in 1927, Javid Nama in 1932, Pas cheh bayed kard ai Aqwam-i Sharq in 1936, and Armughan-i Hijaz in 1938. All these books were in Persian. The last one, published posthumously is mainly in Persian: only a small portion comprises Urdu poems and ghazals. In short, the personality of Allama Iqbal has left indelible marks in history. He tried to awaken the Muslims of India through his philosphy, poetry and politics. He gave the idea of independence to the Muslims of India. Iqbal died on 21st April, 1938. He was buried infront of the "Badshahi Mosque" in "Huzori Bagh." The Rotaract Club of Karachi Metropolitan will observe Iqbal day with zeal and fervour to pay tribute to the great philosopher and poet, Allama Mohammad Iqbal, on his 127th birth anniversary; with a message of peace and prosperity. I would like to Thank Rtr. Irfan Memon for his dedication and commitment in bring out this issue with a hope that you will like the poetry presented in this special issue to pay tribute to our great poet.

Regards Rtr. Raza Tabish Farooqui President Rotaract Club of Karachi Metropolitan Club Theme 2009-2010 Changing Lives

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Iqbal Nama

EDITORS MESSAGE
9th November, the birth date of a legend Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal was born whose philosophical and spiritual ideologies gave new patterns of thinking to the entire human race.

At this occasion I want to spread his message across the globe. The idea behind this issue is to let the people living in different parts of the world realise that Pakistan is a country with rich culture and literature. Dr. Allama Iqbal is one of the numerous intellectual personalities which this part of the world has given birth to.

I would like to thank Rtr. Raza Tabish Farooqui (President 09/10) for all the support and efforts in making this idea works for real.

Special thanks to Rtr. Nishat Maryam Rasheed for her support in selecting the poetical works of Dr. Allama Iqbal and ideas to compose this issue.

Regards, Rtr. Irfan Memon Director Publications & Jnt. Director Club Services Rotaract Club of Karachi Metropolitan

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Iqbal Nama

Introduction of Poet
Dr. Iqbal (1877-1938) is one of the preeminent writers of the Indo-Pakistan subcontinent. Indeed, the attention he has received from numerous writers, translators, and critics from Western as well as Islamic countries testifies to his stature as a world literary figure. While his primary reputation is that of a poet, Iqbal has not lacked admirers for his philosophical thought. He has in fact been called the most serious Muslim philosophical thinker of modem times. The frequently used appellation of poetphilosopher is thus well deserved. Iqbals poetry and philosophy do not exist in isolation from each other; they are integrally related, his poetry serving as a vehicle for his thought.

Educational Background
Iqbal was born in Sialkot, in the present-day province of the Punjab in Pakistan, on 9th November 1877, where he received his early education. For higher education Iqbal went to Lahore in 1895, where he completed his MA in philosophy in 1899. He had already obtained a degree in law (1898). In 1905, Iqbal left for study at Cambridge. His choice of Cambridge was probably dictated by the fact that Cambridge was reputed for the study not only of European philosophy but also of Arabic and Persian. In his three years of stay abroad, Iqbal obtained a BA from Cambridge (1906), qualified as a barrister at Londons Middle Temple (1906), and earned a PhD from Munich University (1908).

His Work
Asrar-i Khudi 1915 Rumuz-i Bikhudi (1918) Bang-i Dara (1924) Zabur-i Ajam (1927) Javid Namah (1932) Musafir (1936) Zarb-i Kalim (1937) Armaghan-i Hijaz 1938

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Iqbal Nama

THE MORNING SUN

INTRODUCTION This apparently nature poem is of much higher import than its name shows and is full of mystic meaning. The sun which is "the Great Luminary" in the human view is not equal to even a speck of dust at Mans door. However, Man owes this greatness to two attributes, viz., belief in the Unity of Mankind Unity of God. Man is investigating and trying to understand the nature of both since his inception on the earth. The essence of the poem is contained in the last six verses.
Far from the ignoble strife of Man's tavern you are The wine-cup adorning the sky's assemblage you are The jewel which should be the pearl of the morning's bride's ear you are The ornament which would be the pride of horizon's forehead you are The blot of night's ink from time's page has been removed! The star from sky like a spurious picture has been removed! When from the roof of the sky your beauty appears Effect of sleep's wine suddenly from eyes disappears Perception's expanse gets filled with light Though opens only the material eye your light The spectacle which the eyes seek is desired The effulgence which would open the insight is desired The desires for freedom were not fulfilled in this life We remained imprisoned in chains of dependence all life The high and the low are alike for your eye I too have longing for such a discerning eye May my eye shedding tears in sympathy for others' woes be! May my heart free from the prejudice of nation and customs be!

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Iqbal Nama

May my tongue be not bound with discrimination of color May mankind be my nation, the whole world my country be May secret of Nature's organization clear to my insight be May smoke of my imagination's candle rising to the sky be May search for secrets of opposites not make me restless! May the Love-creating Beauty in everything appear to me! If the rose petals get damaged by the breeze May its pain dropping from my eye as a tear be May the heart contain that little spark of Love's fire The light of which may contain the secret of the Truth May my heart not mine but the Beloved's mirror be! May no thought in my mind except human sympathy be! If you cannot endure the hardships of the tumultuous world O the Great Luminary that is not the mark of greatness! As you are not aware of your world-decorating beauty You cannot be equal to a speck of dust at the Man's door! The light of Man eager for the Spectacle ever remained And you obligated to the tomorrow's morning ever remained Longing for the Light of the Truth is only in our hearts Abode of Lailah of desire for search is only in this litter Opening of the difficult knot, Oh what a pleasure it is! The pleasure of universal gain in our endless effort is! Your bosom is unacquainted with the pain of investigation You are not familiar with searching of the secrets of Nature

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Iqbal Nama

THE MESSAGE OF DAWN

(Adapted from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow) INTRODUCTION While the original poem by Longfellow is only a poetic description of the coming to life of the world in the morning this adaptation goes much deeper. This poem is the explanation of the role of the light of knowledge in removing the darkness of ignorance by acquiring the knowledge of the unseen spiritual world. The poem also explains the role of time in controlling the activities of daily life.

When the sparkling of the night's forehead's decoration disappeared1 The zephyr of life with the news of the happy morning appeared It awakened the nightingale of flowery song in its nest It shook the shoulder of the farmer on the field's edge It broke the spell of darkness of nights talisman with Surah al-Nor 2 It robbed the golden crown of bed-chamber's candle in the dark It chanted the magic of awakening on those sleeping in the temple It gave the Brahman the tidings of the bright sun Arriving at the mosque's roof it said to the Muadhdhin3 "Do you not fear appearance of the resplendent sun ?" Climbing the garden's wall it cried this to the rose-bud "Burst! You are the Mu'adhdhin of the morning O rose-bud"

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Iqbal Nama

It gave the command in the wilderness "Move O Caravan"! "Every dust speck will shine like fire-fly in the wilderness" When it reached the cemetery from the living's habitation Witnessing the spectacle of the cemetery it spoke thus "Remain lying in comfort still, come again shall I Make the whole world sleep, wake you up shall I 4

Explanatory Notes 1. Allusion to the departing of the stars at the night's end. 2. Allusion to the Holy Qur'an 24:35. It means that the real darkness of the night, which is a metaphor for the lack of knowledge of the unseen spiritual universe, is broken only with the Divine Light referred to in the above verse of the Holy Qur'an 3. Muadhdhin- The person who calls Muslims to prayers. Adhan is his call. 4. Allusion to the morning of the Day of Resurrection when all those sleeping in their graves will be awakened (the Holy Quran 7:187; 18:99-101).

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Iqbal Nama

THE OCEAN WAVE

INTRODUCTION Dynamism is one of the important subjects in Dr. Iqbal's teachings. Ocean waves" is one of the metaphors he uses for dynamism, as in this poem. The poem shows how restless a dynamic person is when he is deprived of the opportunities for action. This is shown in the climax of the poem in the last verse.
My impatient heart keeps me relentlessly restless Like mercury agitation is the essence of life to me Wave is my name, the sea is fordable to me The whirlpool's circle would never be a chain to me My steed speeds in the water like wind The fishing tackle has never caught my skirt Sometimes I jump up due to attraction of the full moon1 Sometimes in excitement I strike my head on the shore I am the traveller who loves destination Someone should ask me why I always jump Fleeing from the discomfort of the narrow river I am Upset by separation from the ocean's vastness I am

Explanatory Note
1. Allusion to the rising of the ocean waves in the tide created by the full moon.

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Iqbal Nama

THE COLORFUL ROSE

INTRODUCTION: Though outwardly this poem is a piece of "natural poetry" it contains, as is usual with Allamah Iqbal, his basic philosophy of Khud or the pre-eminence of Man in the God's creation. The poem says that though the beautiful rose, as an object of beauty in the creation of God, is "a joy for ever", it is devoid of the feelings of longing for comprehension of the Truth, which faculty is the gift of God specially endowed upon Man. Man should appreciate, enjoy and respect the beauty of the cosmos and should not create chaos therein by interfering with, abusing or damaging the same for satisfaction of his material needs. This longing, or the continuous search for the Truth created in the poet's heart, which in fact should exist in every Muslim's heart would eventually illuminate the world and would train the human intellect and guide it into spiritual channels instead of leaving it as an unbridled steed as at present.
You are not familiar with the hardships of solving enigmas O Beautiful Rose! Perhaps you do not have sublime feelings in your heart Though you adorn the assembly yet do not participate in its struggles In life's assembly I am not endowed with this comfort In this garden I am the complete orchestra of Longing1 And your life is devoid of the warmth of that Longing To pluck you from the branch is not my custom This sight is not different from the sight of the eye which can only see the appearances Ah! O colorful rose this hand is not one of a tormentor How can I explain to you that I am not a flower picker I am not concerned with intricacies of the philosophic eye Like a lover I see you through the nightingale's 2 eye In spite of innumerable tongues 3 you have chosen silence What is the secret which is concealed in your bosom?

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Iqbal Nama

THE COLORFUL ROSE

INTRODUCTION: from the garden I am, far from the garden you are Far Though outwardly this contentis a scattered like fragrance I am it contains, as is You are poem but piece of "natural poetry" usual with Allamah Iqbal, his basic philosophyfor search I or the pre-eminence of Wounded by the sword of love of Khud am Man in the God's creation. The poem says that though the beautiful rose, as an This in the creation of a means for fulfillment could is object of beauty perturbation of mine God, is "a joy for ever", it be devoid of the This torment comprehension of the Truth, which could be is the gift of feelings of longing for a source of my intellectual illumination faculty God specially endowed upon Man. Man should appreciate, enjoy and respect the beauty of the This very and should not create chaos therein bybe cosmos frailty of mine the means of strength could interfering with, This mirror of mine for satisfaction of his material needs. This abusing or damaging the same envy of the cup of Jam 4 could be longing, or the continuous search for the Truth created in the poet's heart, This exist in every Muslim's heart would eventually illuminate which in fact shouldconstant search is a world-illuminating candle the world andAnd teaches to the steed of human intellect its gait 5 it into spiritual would train the human intellect and guide channels instead of leaving it as an unbridled steed as at present. Explanatory Notes
You are not familiar with the hardships of solving Iqbals philosophy. 1. "Longing" or ardent desire is one of the important planks of `Allamahenigmas O Beautiful is not Perhaps you do not of life or the satisfaction of physical desires, However, this longingRose! for the material thingshave sublime feelings in your heart which is found in all living things. What distinguishes Man from other creation and entitles him to the honor of of being Gods vicegerent on earth the "longing" for more elegantstruggles more to the honor being Gods adorn the assembly yet do"longing" for more elegant goals and more Though you vicegerent on earth is is the not participate in its goals and sublime desires than mere indulgence inam not endowed withlonging is a limitless ocean of In life's assembly I material pleasures. His this comfort search for knowing the Truth and the Purpose of the creation of God, knowledge of His Essence, and fixing of high ideals for life, such as struggle in the cause of God. These thoughts exist In and garden I am the complete orchestra of Longing1 throughout his works this many poems in this book also contain them. This "longing" is a part of the efforts for the cognition and developmentof of the self, This is beautifully explained his book of the efforts for theAnd your and development the warmth of beautifully explained in in his cognition life is devoid of the self, This is that Longing Asr-i-Khud and has been explained by me in me in Chapter 3 "Khud". book Asrr-i-Khud and has been explained by Chapter 3 under under "Khud". To pluck you from the branch is not my custom
2. Bulbul, or Nightingale- different from the sight of the eye which can only see the This sight is not This is a special Persian bird found in gardens and proverbially engaged in melodious music round flowers. It is imagined to be and is described as an ardent appearances especially poetry. Figuratively, means the point lover of flowers in Persian and Urdu literature, specially poetry. Figuratively, itit means the point of view which, contrary O colorful rose this hand is not look of the phenomena of beauty in its to the discursive analysis, tries to one at a tormentor Ah! integral status and with reference to to a manifestation of Divine Beauty. its integral status and with referencea manifestation of thethe Divine Beauty.

Like me you are also a leaf from the garden of r

How can I explain to you that I am not a flower picker

3. This alludes to the anatomy of the rose flower, whose petals are innumerable, look like tongues flowers, whose petals are innumerable, look like I am not beauty, which proclaims the of the of its Creator in spite of the and also add to its beauty, concerned with intricaciesartistry philosophic eye tongues and also add to itswhich proclaims the artistry of its Creator in spite of the apparent silence of the flower. Like a lover apparent silence of the flower. I see you through the nightingale's 2 eye Jam-i-Jam- This is the legendary cup of the Persianemperor Jm in which he could see 4. Jam-i-Jam- This is the legendary cup of the Persian3 emperorJm in which he could see In spite of innumerable tongues you have chosen silence whatever he wanted to see wherever he wanted to see, as if in a mirror.

What is the secret which is concealed in your bosom?

5. This last stanza expresses Allamah Iqbal's strong hope that his present condition may be the means of attaining his objective which is described in the stanza.