THEGIFTOFHIJAZ

(TRANSLATIONOFTHEURDUSECTION)

THEDEVILSCONFERENCE
IBLIS 1

Thisancientgameofelements,thisbase world! Thefrustrationofthelongingsofthegreat Empyreansdwellers. Uponitsdestructionisbenttodaythat Fashionerofthings, Whogaveitthename,TheworldofBeit so. IinspiredintheEuropeanthedreamof Imperialism: IbrokethespelloftheMosque,the TempleandtheChurch. ItaughtthedestitutetobelieveinDestiny: Iinfusedintothewealthythecrazefor Capitalism. Whodareextinguishtheblazingfirein him, Whosetumultsarestimulatedbythe inherentpassionofSatan? Whocouldsummonthecouragetobend downtheoldtree, Whosebranchestheirheighttoour wateringowe?
FIRSTCOUNCILOR

Ithasfurtherstrengthenedinthe commonerstheirslavishnessindeed. SincethedawnofTimehavethese helplessmortalsbeenordainedto prostration: Prayerdevoidofthepostureofstanding erectistheirnaturesconstanturge. Intheirheartnodesirecaninfacttakeits birth: Butifitdoes,perchance,itdiesorisleft unripe. Whatwondershaveourhard,persistent endeavourswrought! Todayfindsthemysticsandthepriestsall assubjectsofImperialism. SuitedtothedispositionoftheEastwas thisopiumindeed: OtherwiseIlmiKalamisnolessself effacingthanqawwaliineffect. Whatmattersit,ifthetumultofthe pilgrimageandtawafabides? For,renderedblunt,liesunusedthe unsheathedswordoftheFaithful. WhosedespairdoesthislatestOrdinance prove: TotheMusliminthisageisforbidden fightinginLordsname?
SECONDCOUNCILOR

StableistheSatanicsystem,nodoubtthere is!
1

Wehaveremovedthetranslatorsparenthesis theArchdevil,whichdonotoccurinthe original.

IstheclamourforGovernmentbythe peopleevilorgood? Artthouunawareofthefreshmischiefsof theworld?

2CollectedPoeticalWorksofIqbal
FIRSTCOUNCILOR

AwareamI!buttellsmemycosmic foresight: Nodangerfromwhatisbutamasquerade forimperialism. Weourselveshavedressedimperialismin thegarbofdemocracy Whenmanhasgrowntobealittleself consciousandselfobservant. Thetruenatureofthesystemof imperialismlieselsewhere: Itdependsnotontheexistenceofan individualleaderofaking. Beitanationalassemblyofthecourtof Parviz, Whoevercastsacovetouseyeonothers harvestisaking. Hastthounotobservedthedemocratic systemoftheWest? Withabrilliantexterior,itsinterioris darkerthanGenghiss.
THIRDCOUNCILOR

Thatnowexpandslikeapine,andthenwails likearebeck!
THIRDCOUNCILOR

LittledoIrecognizehimtobeamanof farsightedwisdom: (Afool!)whohasthusEuropeanpolitics exposed.

FIFTHCOUNCILOR(TURNINGTOIBLIS)

Nocauseforanxietythen,ifthespiritof imperialismbepreserved: Butwhatcountermeasuretothemischief wroughtbythatJewhaveyou? ThatMoseswithoutLight,thatJesus withouttheCross: Noprophetishe,yetwithhimabookhe carries. Icanhardlyexplainwhatsignificancedoes theinfidelpenetratingvisionpossess: Itis,methinks,thedayofreckoningforthe peoplesoftheEastandtheWest. Nogreatercorruptionofhumannature thanthiswouldbe: Slaveshavebrokenasundertheropesof themasterstents.
FOURTHCOUNCILOR

Watchitscounteractioninthepalacesof ImperialRome: Againdidweinspireinthedescendantsof CaesarthedreamofCaesar. Whoiscoiledroundthewavesofthe Mediterranean?

Othou!thefireofwhosebreathlends stabilitytotheworldprocess: Wheneverthouwished,everythinghidden presentlydidthoureveal. Itisthyfirethathastransformeddead earthandwaterintoaworldofbeauty andendeavour: Inspiredbythyinstruction,thefoolof Paradiseturnsaseer. Morecloselyfamiliarwithmansnature thantheeisnotHe: Whoamongthesimpletonsisknownas GodtheSustainer. Thosewhosebusinesswasconfinedto sanctifying,singinghymnsandgoing round: Thysenseofselfrespecthasoutthemto shameforever,withtheirheads hanginglow. ThoughthewizardsofEuropeallare disciplestothee: NolongerhaveIfaithintheirsagacityleft. ThatJew,thatmischiefmaker,that reincarnationofMazdak: Eachtunicisabouttobetorntoshredsby hisfanaticism. Behold!thewildcrowisvyingwiththe falconandthehyena: Lo,howswiftlydoesthedispositionof Timeallowofachange! Itspreadabout,andcoveredthewhole expanseofskies: Whatweunwiselyhadtakenforahandful ofdust. Suchisthestateoftheghastlydreadofthe morrowsdisturbance: Todaytremblewithoverwhelmingawe, mountains,meadowsandriversall.

Thatworldisgoingtoturntopsyturvy, myLord! Theworldwhichrestethsolelyonthy governance.

IBLIS(TOHISCOUNCILORS)

AbsolutecommandhaveIoftheworldof scentandhue! Theearth,thesun,themoonandthe firmamentsall! WiththeirowneyesshalltheWestandthe EastwitnesstheSpectacle: WhenIbutwarmthebloodofthenations ofEurope. Theleadersofpoliticsandthepatriarchs ofchurchall: Onecallfrommewouldbeenoughtoturn themmad. Thefoolwhoconsidersittobemereglass work: Lethimdaresmashthegobletsandewers ofthisCivilization. Thecollarstornasunderbythehandof Nature: Cantbedarnedwiththeneedleofthe Mazdakitelogic. HowcouldIbefrightenedbythese Socialists,strayingaboutthestreets? Wretchedandstraitened,distractedin mind,incoherentinspeech! TheonlymenaceIanticipatemaycome thatcommunity: Whichstillasparkofambitionhiddenin itsashesretains. Amongstthispeopletherearestilltobe seenafew Whogosofarastoperformtheirablutions withthetearsofpremorninghours. Knowshetowhomarerevealedtheinner secretsofTime: NotMazdakism,butIslamistobethe troubleofthemorrow. 2 Idoknowthiscommunityisnolongerthe beareroftheQuran: ThesameCapitalismisthereligionofthe Believernow.

AndIknow,too,thatinthedarknightof theEast Thesleeveoftheholyonesofthe Sanctuaryisbereftofthewhite, illuminatinghand. Thedemandsofthepresentage,however, spelltheapprehension: LesttheShariahoftheProphetshould cometolightoneday: Beware,ahundredtimesbeware,ofthe LawoftheProphet! Theprotectorofwomenshonour,the testerofmenscapacities,therearerof worthymen! Themessageofdeathtoanykindof slavery! Nosovereignsandnomonarchs,no mendicantsbegging! Itdoespurifywealthofallpollution: Itmakesthewealthytrusteesofwealth andproperty. Whatgreaterrevolutioninthoughtand actionwilltherebe: Nottothecrownedheads,buttoGod alonedoesthisEarthbelong! Better,ifthisLawbekepthiddenfromthe worldseye: Somuchthebetter,theBelieverhimselfis deprivedofinnerconviction. Betterthatheremainsbusyandentangled inthemetaphysicaltheology: Better,thatheremainsbusyandentangled intheinterpretationsoftheBookof God. 3 WhosecriesofGodisMostHighcould breakthecharmoftheuniverse: MaythedarknightofthatGodthinking mannoteverturnbright! IstheSonofMarydeadorisheendowed witheternallife? AretheAttributesofGodseparatefrom God,ordotheyformwhatHeis? DoestheexpectedmeanJesusofNazareth? OraRenewer,endowedwiththe attributesoftheSonofMary?

4CollectedPoeticalWorksofIqbal ArethelettersoftheWordofGodNewor ofOld? Inwhichofthedoctrinesdoesthe salvationoftheBlessedCommunity lies? ArenotenoughtotheFaithfulinthisage: Theseidolsofworshipcarvedby MetaphysicalTheology? OursafetyliesinthatBelieverremainsa slavetillDoomsday: Renouncingthistransitoryworldfor otherssake. Whatisgoodinhiscaseisthatpoetryand mysticism Whichmaykeephiddenfromhiseyesthe gameofLife. EverymomentdoIdreadtheawakening ofthiscommunity Whosereligionis,inreality,nothingshort oftakingaccountoftheuniverse. Keephimwellabsorbedinthethought andcontemplationofGodinpre morninghours: Yeallmakehimgrowstrongerinhis monasticdisposition! [TranslatedbyMuhammadAshraf] Clingsbylandsmargin.TotheMuslim freedom Gainedatthepriceofcastingoffreligion Makesanillbargain!Inourworld,where oncemore Civilization Loosesitswildbeasts,inonemoreencounter Spiritandfleshmeet;onthetruebelievers ManhoodGodstrustliesthemachinesof Europe Satansalliance. Whoknowsthenationsfates?butsigns abound,if Muslimsarewakeful.Fromyourburied fathers Askprideofaction;donotfearakingmay Smileonabeggar. [TranslatedbyV.G.Kiernan]

PAINTINGANDTHEPAINTER
SaidtheportraittoitsPainter: MymanifestationatteststoThine unboundedSkill; Andyetwhataviolationofjusticeitisthat Thoushouldstremainhidfrommysight!
THEPAINTER

THEADVICEOFANOLDBALUCHTO HISSON
Windsofthesewastelandbeyourlove!Bokhara, Delhi,areworthnomore.Likerunningwater Gowhereyouwill:thesedesertplainsare ours,and Oursarethesevalleys. Honour,thathighthinginaworldoftroubling, SetsonthehermitsheadDariuscrown.How Glassisforgedflinthardthisstrangecraft theytellof Learnfromsomemaster! FortunesofStatesthroughindividual prowessripen Eachmanonestaroftheirascendant: Oceanwithholdshertreasurewhenthediver Gropingforpearlshells

Thevisionendowedtothosethatobserve finditoppressive: Seeforthyselfhowthesparkburntitself outwhenitsawtheworld! Whataughtissightbutsadness,gloom, feverishnessandselftorment: Rest,orthouignorant(ofthemysteries), uponreport.

THEPORTRAIT

Whataughtisreportbuttheimpotenceof ratiocinationandwisdom? Visionistheeternalspringtideoflife. Thehustleandthebustleofthepresent agedoesnotpermitone Toexpressoneselfmelodiously.

THEPAINTER

ThoudothexistbecausethePerfectionof MyArt.

Donot,then,feelcastoutin disappointmentwithHimthathath drawnthee. Ionlyputoneconditionifthouwishestto seeMe: Neverdisappearfromthineownsight. [TranslatedbyKamalM.Habib]

THEGRAVE(TOITSCORPSE)

THESTATEOFBARZAKH
THECORPSE(TOITSGRAVE)

Whatisit,thisResurrectionDay? Ofwhatpresentisitthefuture? 0myancientsleepingchamber, WhatisResurrectionDay?

THEGRAVE

Youviciouscreature!Intheworldyou wereaslave! Ihadfailedtounderstandwhymysoil wasashotasfire! Yourcorpsemakesmydarknesseven darker. Itripstheearthsveilofhonour. Beware,bewareahundredtimesofa slavescorpse! OIsrafil!OLordoftheuniverse! Osoulthatischasteandpure!
THEVOICEFROMTHEUNSEEN

Comment [KB1]: IqbalTowards anEthicalTheoryofPoetryinIqbal Review,April1975

Ocorpseofahundredyears,dontyou know Thateverydeathimpliesacallfor resurrection?

THECORPSE

Adeaththatimpliesresurrection Suchadeathdoesnotentrapme! ItistruethatIhavebeendeadfora hundredyears, ButIamnottiredofthisdarkchamberin theearth. Thesoulshouldonceagainridethepoor body Ifthisisresurrection,thenIamnotataker!

AVOICEFROMTHEUNSEEN

Resurrectionupsetstheorderofthe universe, Butitisthiscommotionsthatrevealsthe secretsofexistence. Anearthquakemakesmountainsflylike clouds, Butitalsostartsnewspringsflowingin thevalleys. Totaldestructionmustcomebeforeany recreation Forinthiswaytheproblemsofexistence areresolved.
THEEARTH

Deathisnotforsnakesandscorpions, Orforbirdsandbeastsofprey, Eternaldeathisthelotofslavenations alone. EvenIsrafilstrumpetcannotbringbackto lifethose Whosebodies,whentheylived,hadno souls. Tospringbacktolifeafterdeathonlythe freecandothat, Eventhoughalllivingbeingsareheaded Intothearmsofthegrave.

Oh,thiseternaldeath!Oh,thisstruggle thatmarkslife! Willthisconflictintheworldeverend? Reasoncannotfreeitselffromitsidols; Thecommonersandtheeliteallareslaves toLatandManat. HowabjectAdamthemanwithdivine attributeshasnowbecome! Thatsuchaworldshouldcontinuetoexist Ismorethanheartandeyecanbear. Whydoesmansnightnotturnintodawn? [TranslatedbyMustansirMir]

ADEPOSEDMONARCH
GoodlucktothatKing,cashieredso gracefully,whose DismissalshowshowarulingPowerbehaves! InBritainsfanetheKingisonlyaplaster Imageitsworshipperssmashwheneverthey choose;

6CollectedPoeticalWorksofIqbal Itsopiateincenseisforus,theslaves Come,Englishswindler,bringoutournew master! Theindifferentcoldmannerof Worldlymenmovesmetotears. Theyreckonthedawnwailsofbirds Asliltingsongs! Please!Donotpleadthat Theremedyofgriefforafriend Lieshiddeninpatience! Pleasedonotsaythatinpatiencelies ThesolutionofDeathsriddle! Aheart,howsoeverlovingandpatient,is Allthesame,astone. Andbetweenloveandpatiencelie Athousandmiles. 2 Dontaskwhatisfleetinglife For,whoknowswhatmeans Thiscombineofmagicandcolourcharm? Onebornofdustmusthideindust. Butwhatdoesitmean? Ashortlivedabsenceorextinction? Thisman,thismeredustofpath, Hasbeenendowedwithartistictaste. Ofthis, Reasoncannotrevealtheaim. Aretheheartandvisiontoo Themiraclesofthisverywaterandclay? Ifnot,whatthenistheendallofman? Themovingsoulofthisuniverseis ThereisnogodbutGod. ThenwhytheMessiah,thenailsandthe cross? Fromwhomshouldbedemanded Thebloodmoneyoflongingsspilt? For,whoistheguiltyandwhattheblood money? Grievenotthatweare Inthebondageofthisworld, Astheheartthatwehave Breaksallmagicspells. Iftheselflives,deathisbut Asojourninlife:aslove Triesdeathinatestofeternallife. Iftheselfisalive,youroceanisshoreless AndthewavesoftheNile,ofEuphrates Arerestless,separatedfromyou. Iftheselfisdead,youare
2

LITANYOFTHEDAMNED
Itchingpalms,intheoldtempleofEarth,have thekneelers, MenwhoremembertheirGodonlywhen idolsaredeaf. VainaretheHindusritesandvainthe Mohammedansworship; Wailingandgnashingofteethstillarethelot ofthepoor. Noneofearthscitiesintruthismorethana populousdesert, Highthoughtheirbuildingssoar,kissingthe skywiththeirroofs. AxeinhandFarhadtoilson;Fatesirony witness! SlekandcontentisParvez,parchingwith droughtinFarhad. Allthatthereisinthatworlditsrulersbrains haveengendered: Scienceandlearningaretheirs,commerceand practiceofState; Freeofenslavement,Allahbethanked,tothe hucksterofEurope Freeisthiscountryofours,scorchedinthe furnaceofHell. [TranslatedbyV.G.Kiernan]

THELATEMASUD
Thesun,themoon,thestars Andthisazureskyallaround Whocantellforsureallthisis Theworldnothingnessorbeing! Theideasofroadsanddestinations Arefictionsandmyths Aslifeisaimlessjourney,indeed. Alas!Timeshandwipedout Thatmonumentoftheperfections OfAhmadandMahmood. Hissuddendeathsignifies Thedeclineofknowledgeandart His,Masoods,whowas Themostvaluableasset Ofthiscaravanofours.

Iqbalsnote[thequotationisfrom]Saadi.

Likeastrawbeforethebreeze. Iftheselfisalive,you Thesultanofallexistence. Iftheeyeisdeprivedof Onevisionofbeautyexposed, Myriadexposuresofbeauty Compensateforoneloss. Thestationofatruemominis Beyondtheskysreach. Below,fromtheearthtothePleiades AllareidolhousesofLatandManat. Hiseternalabodeis ThesacredprecinctoftheOneandtheOnly One, Notthisgloomydustygrave NorthisexposurehouseofAttributes! Thoseselfawarewhohave Leaptabovethisabodeofdust Havebrokenthespellof Thesun,theskyandthestars!

Notabitremainsinyou Ofyourclearreflectionofconscience! Alas!Oyouvictimofimperialism, Ofmullahismandmysticism! [TranslatedbyMaqboolElahi]

QUATRAINS
1 Whatfruitwilltheboughofmyhopebear WhatdoIknowofyourdestiny? Therosebudneedstoopentoday Whywaitfortomorrowsmorningbreeze? [TranslatedbyMustansirMir] Sethimfreeofthisworldsaffairs Tobefreeofcastingforeveryonesnares. Inoldage,Satansthoughtstooareold Wherefromshouldhebringnewsinsflares? Upsetthisworldofmornandeve, Ofthesewetlands,ofthosedryleave. MayyourGodheadremainfreeofblemishall Inmyinsipidprostrationsdonotbelieve! [TranslatedbyMaqboolElahi] 2 Mypoorestatemakesproudmencovetous, Povertysuchasmineennoblesus. Bewarethoseotherragsandbeggingbowls ThatmaketheMuslimpusillanimous! [TranslatedbyV.G.Kiernan] Rescuemepleasefromwisdomsnarrowness Andfromexcessivelight,itsplentifulness. Itdeignstocastlooksatothers,thatis, TheeyeofMuslimsshamelessness! [TranslatedbyMaqboolElahi] IqbalsaidtotheShaykhoftheKabah: Whowenttosleepundertheveryarchinthe mosque? Avoicesoundedfromthewallsofthe mosque: Whobecamelostintheidolhouseofthe West? [TranslatedbyMustansirMir]

AVOICEFROMBEYOND
FromtheEmperiumenquires Avoiceatdawn:howdid Youloseyouressentialquality Ofenquiryandunderstanding? Howwasblunted Yourscalpelofresearch? Whydoyounotrendopen Theheartsofstars? Youdeservetodominateandruleover Allthatisvisibleaswellasesoteric. Canaflamebetheslaveof Drysticksandgrass? Whyarethesun,moonandstarsnot Underyoursuzerainty? Whydontheavensshudder Withamereglancefromyou? True! Eventodaybloodcourses Throughyourveins,but Yourthoughtsdonotinspire Norisyourthinkingfearless. Aneyewhichinitsvision Doesnotimbibepurevirtue Iscapableofseeing,nodoubt, Butisnotallseeing.

8CollectedPoeticalWorksofIqbal Theoldflameofdesireshasgrowncold AstheMuslimsveinshotbloodnolonger hold. Greetingstotheidolsformysecularism ForflameofAllahHooscheersisdead, behold! ThetalkofMuslimisinteresting, Hisheartwarm,breathlightandgaze arresting. Owhocancatchaglimpseofhim,forhe Thoughtheverysoulofcompany,isby himselfresting! [TranslatedbyMaqboolElahi] Theclairvoyanceofthezephyr Isapparentfromitsdiscriminationbetween flowersandthorns! Aflowercannotbeguarded Ifthethornhasthenatureofsilk. [TranslatedbytheEditors] Ofloveandlosingwhatwordsneedbesaid? TheselfsunfoldingisLifesfountainhead; Theresneitherlosstooceannortopearl Inthepearlslooseningfromtheoceansbed. [TranslatedbyV.G.Kiernan] Whyistherenostorminyoursea? WhyisyourkhudinotMuslim? ItispointlesstocomplainofGodsdecree WhyareyounotGodsdecree? [TranslatedbyMustansirMir] Ifwiththeheartseyetheintellectwouldsee aright ThisuniverseisilluminatedwithAllahs light. Butifyouseethroughthewaxingsunand moon, Itisjusttherevolutionofmornandnight. Sometimesbyrisingfromtheoceanlikea wave, Occasionallylikeadiverinitsbosombehave. Attimescrossbeyondtheoceansshore Toexposebetteryourselfsrealenclave. [TranslatedbyMaqboolElahi]

THEPOETICNOTEBOOKOFMULLAZADE ZAIGHAMOFLAULAB
1 Yourspringsandlakes withwaterpulsatingandquiveringlike quicksilver, themorningbirdsflutteringaboutthesky, agitatedandinturmoil, OValleyofLaulab! Whenthepulpitandtheniche ceasetorecreateResurrections, faiththenisdeadorameredream, forthee,meandforall. OValleyofLaulab! TheMullahssighthaslost thelightofpenetrativediscernment; themysticswine,pureandsparkling, nolongerproducesfrenzy, OValleyofLaulab! Adervish whosemorninglamentation mayawakentheheartsofthepeople isnolongeraround, OValleyofLaulab! 2 Harderthandeathiswhatthoucallstslavery, wouldthatslavesunderstandmasterstricks; strangearethewaysofimperialists: theyallowthesoundingoftrumpet;but forbidresurrection. Thysouliswearyunderthestressofslavery, buildnicheforkhudiinthyimpassivebreast. 3 TodaythatlandofKashmir,undertheheels oftheenemy, hasbecomeweak,helplessandpoor onceknownamongthewiseasLittleIran. Whenthemanoftruthisoverawedbythe powerandpompofkingandlandlord, acryofburninglamentissuesforthfromthe heavens.

Theoldfarmerscottage,onthe mountainside,wherepainandgriefever rule tellsitssadstoryofFateshardlot. Soskilfulofhands,sorichinmind,these people,alas,orpurebreed, OGod,yourjustice,solongdelayed,must comeatlastasaretribution. 4 Whentheenslavedpeoplesrageboilsand theyriseinrevoltagainstthemaster, thisworldofnearandfar,ofcolourand smell,becomesthesceneoftremorsand convulsions. Itpurifiesmansconscienceeschewingall doubtsandmisgivings Whenthelampofhighidealsislit, brighteningallpathsleadingtothegoal. Thereareoldmaladiesandancientsscarsthe peoplesufferfrom,thatintellectfailstocure andheal, butloveshowsitsskillandwithoutthehelp ofphysicianstalentsremovesallscarsand curesallwoes. Themasterssturdybodywithaheartof stoneandfaceofamirror getssoonsmashedupandbeatendownatthe repeatedblowsoftheweakslave. 5 Thepartridgeflieswiththemajestyofthe falcons; thehunterisnonplussed:isitapartridgeora falcon? Everynationisastir,herthoughtsina constantflux; todayweseeintheEastthesignsof tomorrowsresurrection. Thedeadbody,awaitingIsrafilsCall,hasall ofasuddenrisentolife: Naturespitilesslawsworkwonders.

6 ThedissoluteknowtheSufis accomplishments, thoughtheirmiraclesarenotsowellknown. Selfenrichment,selfrespectandthecryof AnaalHaq thesearethestatesofthewayfarer,ifhebe free; butifslave,thenitallbecomeshisallisHe; heisdeadbody,graveandsuddendeath,all inone. 7 Comeoutofthemonasteryandplaytherole ofShabbir, formonasterysfaqrisbutgriefandaffliction. Thyreligionandliteraturebothsmellof renunciation: symbolofoldageofdyingnations. ImperialismhasmyriadsofSatanswitheyes fullofmagiccharms thatevokeamongthepreyanirresistibleurge tobeitsvictim. Howcarelesslytheypassedby,withnoearto mylamentations, TheKashmirisblackeyes,solackinginlustre andlife,whomadethemsodeadandmute? 8 Thouthinkstitameredropofblood;well, mansheartisbutloftyambitions. Therevolutionsofmoonandstarsarenotto itsliking: Itmakesitsownnightsanddays. Theearththatenshrinesinitsbosomthefire ofplanetree: thisexaltedearthcanneverbedeadandcold. 9 Whenflowersbookshopopenedinthe garden Mullahsbookishknowledgelostallvalue.

10CollectedPoeticalWorksofIqbal Thespringbreezewasexhilarating,poise breaking, theoldmanofIndrabburstintoghazal singing. Thetulip,offieryskirt,said: itdothrevealthesecretsofthesoul. Whocallssleepawhileinthegraveaseternal death, sowsseedsofdestructionintheearth. Lifeisnotasuccessionofdaysandnights, norisitintoxicationanddreamysleep; lifeistoburninonesfire: happyisthemanwhograspsthistruth. Ifthousnatchstasparkfromheartsfire, thoucanstbeasununderthesky. 10 Afreemansveinishardlikestones, aslavesistenderlikevines; aslavesheartisdead,frustratedandnever seesthelightofhope; afreemansheartisalive,fullofzestand happiness. Afreemanswealth,ashiningheartand warmbreath, thatofslave,onlymoisteyes. Theslavelackssincerityandgenerosity thoughhebeadeptinargumentation. Andneverthetwineshallbeequal, theoneisslavetofate,theother,masterof fate. 11 Allhighandlowareunawareofkhudi: isitamosqueortavern? Theheadpreacherhaswithheldthissecret fromus: theHaremitselfisthemothmovinground Haremslamp. Faithandkufr,onlytalismanofignorance, talkingofShaykhandBrahmanisallmyth; OGod,maythevalleyhaveadervish whosefaqrworksMoseslike; howlongwouldtheyremainhiddenfromthe world? theuniquegemsthattheWoolerLakehasin itsdepth. 12 Thelivingnationsoftheworldhavewon theirlaurels, theworldtransformedthroughthedynamism oftheiracts; theastrologerscalendarofthefutureisfalse, theoldstarshavefallenaway. Theworldsheartissofiery thatriverwavesshootoutstars. Theearthisexperiencingtremorsafter tremors, thewarningsofNaturearebuttooclear. Khidr,standingbytheWooler,isthinking: WhenwilltheHimalayasspringsburstforth? 13 Itisthesignoflivingnations theirfatechangesdayandnight; theirlifeissincerityandgenerosityto perfection, Naturetooforgivestheirfollies; inmannersqalandarlike,inmajestyas Iskander: thesepeoplearelikenakedswords. Beautyandmajestyofaselfconsciousman flowsfromkhudi: itisthetext,therestarecommentaries. IdontdenythesplendourofthedaysofId, butalas!onlythetakbirsoffreemenare acceptabletoGod. Whatcanthesageknowmysongssecret? thewordsofmanofmadnessarebeyond reasonsken.

14 Howhereticallydoyouplaythegameoflife? youadjustyourselftotimes,ratherthanto thineself. Inolongerseeintheschools heartofJunaidandinsightofGhazaliand Razi. Naturethegreatlawgiverdecrees: thewaysoffalconareforbiddeninthe religionofsparrows. Thesameheavenlylawgiverdecreedforthe malefalcon: flyabouttheskies,dontdealwiththeearth. Ihavenotleftspeakingthenakedtruth, thoughthepeoplemayspeakillofmebefore thekings. WehaveneitherSamarkandnorBukharato offer, thedervishcanonlyprayfortheShiraziTurk. 15 ThewaysoftheWestarecalculating,the waysoftheEastaremonkish; therethetimeschangefrommomentto moment,herethetimesseenochange whatsoever. Khidr,onthebankoftheriver,spoketome thusinconfidence: allarethewaysofsorcery,betheactoraking ofdervish. Thesepeopleofthemonasterieslookupon meastheirrival; theyfearlestmybeautifulsongsrentasunder thesaintsthresholdstone. Thisisthemanifestsymboloftheknowledge oftheslavepeople: Whatiftheearthhaslimits!thewhole expanseofSpaceisboundless. Icantseewhatitis:isitselfdeceptionof deceptionofGod? Havinginventedtheexcuseoffate,the Muslimhasceasedtoactmeaningfully.

Therosetwigmadethehunterweepon seeingmecaughtinthenet: acharmingsweetsingerwashe,hisnest restedharmlesslyonmybranches. 16 Olandofcharmingandsweetflowerswhat needistheretoexplain: theburningredtulip,griefstrickenandsad, bestreflectsourbloodyheart. ThegodsofHimalayasspeakthustothee,to meandtoall: Fateisanamewegivetotheretributionof whatwedoandact. Inthebitterwindsofwinter,thepoor labourerworksinanakedbody, thoughhisskillprovidesshawlstotherich. Theworldshallneverbeloyaltothee: itisandhasbeeneverinflux. 17 Selfawarenesshasmadethemujahidforget hisbody, towhombearingofcoatofmailisforbidden. 18 Nourishthatloftywillandburningheart, getbackyourfathersarmsifthouwishstto havehissword. 19 Iamquietastrangertothetown,listentomy bewailings; maythybreastentertainmanyaresurrection! Thegriefladensongsofminearevaluable: theunsatisfiedheartisawealthmost uncommon. Ifeartheworlddoesnotappreciatemy labour, itisntlikeFarhads:

12CollectedPoeticalWorksofIqbal Theaxesnoisefallingonthestoneissomething else, Beware,itisvoiceofaxefallingontheheart 3 . [TranslatedbyK.NizamudDin] ItisallBuLahabsidolatry! [TranslatedbyMaqboolElahi]

THEHUMANBEING
Toknowandseeissoeasyintheworld. Nothingmaystayhiddenforthisuniverseis luminous. TheNaturesveilistranslucentifoneis willingtosee: Fartoovisiblearetheangelsfaintsmiles. Thisworldisaninvitationforthehuman beingtolook, Foreverysecretisgivenaninstincttojump outofitscloset. Itisthetearsofhumanbloodthatthe Almightyhasused ForstirringupstormsinHisoceans. Whatwouldtheskyknowwhoseabodeis thisearthyplanet; Onwhosenightlybanquetsdothestarsstand inwatch! IfIamtheendofall,thenwhatliesbeyond? Whereliesthelimitofmyunending adventures? [TranslatedbytheEditors]

TOSIRAKBARHYDERI
THECHIEFMINISTEROFHYDERABADDECCAN

On receiving a cheque of one thousand rupees as entertainment from the privy purseoftheNizam,whichisinthecharge oftheChiefMinister ItwasGodscommandthatthepompof Parviz Begiventotheqalandar,forhehasangelic attributes. Iwastold:Takeitandbeanemperor; Conferpermanenceontheephemeralwith yourtalent. Iwouldhavemuchhonouredthistrust Allbitternesstastessweettothemouthofa dervish. However,theselfrespectoffaqrcouldnot acceptit WhenHesaid:thisisthecharityofmy Godhead. [TranslatedbytheEditors]

HUSAINAHMAD
TheAjamitesdonotyetknow Thefinepointsofourfaith; Otherwise,HusainAhmadofDeoband! Whatisthisfoolhardiness? Asermonsongfromthepulpitthat Anationbyahomelandbe! Fromtherealposition OftheArabianProphet Howsadlyunawareishe! YourselfmergewithMustafa Forallfaithembodiesinhim! Ifyoudonotreachuptohim

IqbalsnoteTheaxesnoiseThiscoupletis fromKharitahiJawahar,thefamousnotebookof MirzaMazharJanijanan(mayGodhavemercyon him).