Allama Iqbal Bangay Dara (Jawab-e-Khizar)

Jawab-e-Khizar

KHIZR’S REPLY

Kyun Taajub Hai Meri Sehra Nawardi Par Tujhe

Ye Taga Pooye Dama Dam Zindagi Ki Hai Daleel

What is it to make you wonder, if I roam the desert waste?

Witness of enduring life is this unending toil and haste!  

Ae Raheen-E-Khana Tu Ne Woh Saman Dekha Nahin

Goonjti Hai Jab Faza’ay  Dasht Mein Bang-E-Raheel

You, shut in by walls, have never known that moment when shrill

Bugle‐call that sounds the march goes echoing over wood and hill,  

Rait Ke Teele Pe Woh Aaho Ka Be Parwa Kharaam

Woh Hazar Be Barg-O-Saman, Woh Safar Be Sang-O-Meel

Never known the wild deer’s careless walk across its sandy plain,

Never halt unroofed, uncumbered, on the trail no milestones chain,  

Woh Namood-E-Akhtar-E-Simab Pa Hangam-E-Subah

Ya Numayan Baam-E-Gardoon Se Jibeen-E-Jibraeel (A.S.)

Never fleeting vision of that star that crowns the daybreak hour,

Never Gabriel’s radiant brow effulgent from heaven’s topmost tower, 

Woh Sakoot-E-Sham-E-Sehra Mein Gharoob-E-Aftab

Jis Se Roshan Tar Huwi Chashm-E-Jahan Been-E-Khalil (A.S.)

Nor the going‐down of suns in stillness of desert ways,

Twilight splendour such as brightened Abraham’s world‐beholding gaze,  

Aur Woh Pani Ke Chashme Par Maqam-E-Karwan
Ahl-E-Aeeman  Jis Tarah Jannat Mein Gird-E-Salsabeel

Nor those springs of running water where the caravans take rest
As in heaven bright spirits cluster round the Fountain of the Blest!  

Taza Weerane Ki Soda’ay Mohabbat Ko Talash
Aur  Abadi Mein Tu Zanjeeri Kisht-O-Nakheel

Wildernesses ever now love’s fever seeks and thirsts to roams—
You the furrowed field and palm‐groves fetter to one poor home;  

Pukhta Tar Hai Gardish-E-Peham Se Jaam-E-Zindagi
Hai Yehi Ae Be-Khabar Raaz-E-Dawam-E-Zindagi

Mellow grows the wine of life when hand to hand the cup goes round
Foolish one! In this alone is life’s eternal secret found.  

Zindagi
LIFE 

Bartar Az Andesha’ay Sood-O-Ziyan Hai Zindagi
Hai Kabhi Jaan Aur Kabhi Tasleem-E-Jaan Hai Zindagi

Life is higher than the calculation of profit and loss;
Life is sometimes living and sometimes forfeiting living. 

Tu Isse Pemana’ay Amroz-O-Farda Se Na Naap
Javidan, Peham Dawan, Har Dam Jawan Hai Zindagi

Do not measure it by the scale of today and tomorrow;
Life is eternal, constantly moving, at every moment youthful.  

Apni Dunya Ap Paida Kar Agar Zindon Mein Hai
Sirr-E-Adam Hai, Zameer-E-Kun Fikan Hai Zindagi

If you are among the living, fashion your own world;
Life is the secret of Adam, the essence of the words Be and it was! 

Zindagani Ki Haqiqat Kohkan Ke Dil Se Pooch
Jooye Sheer-O-Teesha-O-Sang-E-Garan Hai Zindagi

Ask the reality of life form the heart of the mountain‐digger;
Life is the milky stream, the axe and the hard stone. 

Bandagi Mein Ghat Ke Reh Jati Hai Ek Jooay Kam Aab
Aur Azadi Mein Beher-E-Bekaran Hai Zindagi

In servitude the stream diminishes and almost runs dry,
And in freedom life is an ocean which knows no bounds. 

Ashkara Hai Ye Apni Quwwat-E-Taskheer Se
Gharche Ek Mitti Ke Paikar Mein Nihan Hai Zindagi

It knows well its power of domination,
Although life is hidden in a frame of clay.

Qulzam-E-Hasti Se Tu Ubhra Hai Manind-E-Habab
Iss Ziyan Khane Mein Tera Imtihan Hai Zindagi

From the sea of existence you arose like a bubble;
 In this dwelling of loss, life your test. 

Kham Hai Jab Tak To Hai Mitti Ka Ek Anbar Tu
Pukhta Ho Jaye To Hai Shamsheer-E-Bezanhar Tu

While you are still immature, you are a heap of dust;
When you ripen, you will become an irresistible sword. 

Ho Sadaqat Ke Liye Jis Dil Mein Marne Ki Tarap
Pehle Apne Paikar-E-Khaki Mein Jaan Paida Kare

The heart which is impatient to die for the truth—
First of all let it create life in its form of clay.  

Phoonk Dale Ye Zameen-O-Asman-E-Mastaar
Aur Khakstar Se Ap Apna Jahan Paida Kare

Let it set fire to this earth and this sky, which are borrowed,
And from the embers, let it give birth itself to its own world.  

Zindagi Ki Quwwat-E-Pinhan Ko Kar De Ashakar
Ta Ye Chingari Furogh-E-Javidan Paida Kare

Make the hidden strength of life manifest,
Until its spark engenders the eternal light.

Khak-E-Mashriq Par Chamak Jaye Misal-E-Aftab
Ta Badkhishan Phir Wohi Laal-E-Giran Paida Kare

Let it shine over the soil f the East like the sun,
Until Badakhshan once more throws up the same priceless ruby. 

Suay Gardoon Nala-E-Shabgeer Ka Bheje Safeer
Raat Ke Taron Mein Apne Raazdan Paida Kare

Let it send the ambassador of its night-encompassing lament to the heavens;
Let it share its secrets with the stars of the night. 

Ye Ghari Mehshar Ki Hai, Tu Arsa’ay Mehshar Mein Hai
Paish Kar Ghafil, Amal Koi Agar Daftar Mein Hai !

This moment is the Day of Judgment; you are in the field of Judgments’ Day!
My forgetful one, put forward something you have accomplished, if you have anything written on your scroll. 

Saltanat
The State  

Aa Bataon Tujh Ko Ramz-E-Aaya-E-INNAL MULOOK
Saltanat Aqwam-E-Ghalib Ki Hai Ek Jadoogari

What scripture sets forth riddlingly of Kings, let me impart:
In towering empires sovereignty is all a conjuror’s art— 

Khawab Se Baidar Hota Hai Zara Mehkoom Agar
Phir Sula Deti Hai Uss Ko Hukamran Ki Sahiri

If ever subjects from their sleep half rouse themselves,
The sure enchantments of their rulers steep their wits in dreams once more; 

Jadoo-E-Mehmood Ki Taseer Se Chashm-E-Ayaz
Dekhti Hai Halqa-E-Gardan Mein Saaz-E-Dilbari

When Mahmood’s blandishments begin Ayaz slave‐eyes dote,
And find a fine love‐token in The halter round his throat. 

Khoon-E-Israel Aa Jata Hai Akhir Josh Mein
Torh Deta Hai Koi Musa (A.S.) Tilism-E-Samri

But now the blood of Israel boils up in rage at last,
And some new Moses breaks the spell that wizard Samri cast! 

Sarwari Zaiba Faqat Uss Zaat-E-Be Hamta Ko Hai
Hukamran Hai Ek Wohi, Baqi Bootan-E-Azri

None with diamond’s orb invest but the Most High alone:
He is the sovereign, all the rest are idols carved from stone; 

Az Ghulami Fitrat-E-Azad Ra Ruswa Makun
Ta Tarashi Khawajah Ae Az Barhaman Kafir Teri

Stain with no slavery you free‐souled estate,—worse pagan than
The Brahmin, if your chisel mould a king out of a man. 

Hai Wohi Saaz-E-Kuhan Maghrib Ka Jamhoori Nazam
Jis Ke Pardon Mein Nahin Ghair Az Nawa’ay Qaisari

In the West the people rule, they say: and what is this new reign?
The same harp still, the same strings play the despots’ old refrain; 

Deo Istabdad Jamhoori Qba Mein Paye Koob
Tu Samjhta Hai Ye Azadi Ki Hai Neelam Pari

In Demos‐dress let tyranny’s old demon‐dance be seen, 
Your fancy calls up Liberty’s blue‐mantled fairy queen!

Majlis-E-Aaeen-O-Islah-O-Ra’ayaat-O-Haqooq
Tib-E-Maghrib Mein Maze Mithe, Asar Khawab Awri

Those Parliaments and their reforms, Charters and Bills of Rights—
The Western pharmacopoeia swarms with opiate delights;  

Garmi-E-Ghuftar-E-Aza’ay Majaalis, Al-Aman !
Ye Bhi Ek Sarmaya Daron Ki Hai Jang-E-Zargari

That rhetoric of the Senator, flowing in fiery stream— God save the mark!
The brokers’ war of gold is its true theme.  

Iss Sarab-E-Rang-O-Bu Ko Gulistan Samjha Hai Tu
Aah Ae Nadad! Qafas Ko Ashiyan Samjha Hai Tu

This paint and perfume, this mirage, a garden’s blooming face
You thought, simpleton, and your cage a downy nesting‐place. 

Sarmaya-O-Mehnat
Capital and Labour  

Banda’ay Mazdoor Ko Ja Kar Mera Pegham De
Khizar Ka Pegham Kya, Hai Ye Peyam-E-Kainat

To the workman go, the toiler, and to him this message tell:
Words not mine alone, a message that the world’s four corners swell— 

Ae Ke Tujh Ko Kha Gya Sarmayadar-E-Heela Gar
Shakh-E-Aahu Par Rahi Sadiyon Talak Teri Barat

Oh, the crafty man of capital has devoured you flesh and fell:
On the wild deer’s horns for ages your reward has run astray!  

Dast-E-Doulat Afreen Ko Muzd Yun Milti Rahi
Ehl-E-Sarwat Jaise Dete Hain Gharibon Ko Zakat

In the hand that forges all wealth he has dropped a grudging pay,
As the poor receive in charity what their betters throw away. 

Sahir-E-Muut Ne Tujh Ko Diya Barg-E-Hasheesh
Aur Tu Ae Bekhabar Samjha Isse Shakh-E-Nabat

Like an Old Man of the Mountain he has fed you with hashish,
And poor innocent! you took it for the sweetest‐flavored dish; 

Nasal, Qoumiat, Kalisa, Saltanat, Tehzeeb, Rang
Khawajgi Ne Khoob Chun Chun Ke Banaye Muskirat

For the bourgeoisie is cunning, and from country and from creed,
Colour, culture, caste and kingdom, has brewed drugs to serve its need; 

Kat Mara Nadan Khiyali Deota’on Ke Liye
Sukr Ki Lazzat Mein Tu Lutwa Gya Naqd-E-Hayat

For these false gods, witless victim, you have rushed upon your doom
And been robbed of life’s bright treasure for the taste of its mad fume. 

Makr Ki Chalon Se Bazi Le Gya Sarmayadar
Intaha’ay Sadgi Se Kha Gya Mazdoor Maat

Your sharp paymasters have swept the board, they cheat and know no shame:
You, forever unsuspecting, have forever lost the game.

Uth Ke Ab Bazm-E-Jahan Ka Aur Hi Andaz Hai
Mashriq-O-Maghrib Mein Tere Dour Ka Aghaz Hai

But now come! for ways are changing in assembly of the earth, 
And in Orient and in Occident your own age comes to birth! 

Himat-E-Aali To Darya Bhi Nahin Karti Qabool
Ghuncha Saan Ghafil Tere Daman Mein Shabnam Kab Talak

or the lofty soul all ocean is too mean a gift: will you,
Like the careless bud, much longer be content with drops of dew? 

Naghma’ay Baidari-E-Jamhoor Hai Saman-E-Aysh
Qissa’ay Khawab Awar-E-Iskandar-O-Jim Kab Talak

To those drowsy tales of Jamshid and Sikander for how long
Will you listen, now men’s joy is in democracy’s new song?

Aftab-E-Taza Paida Batan-E-Geeti Se Huwa
Asman! Doobe Huay Taron Ka Matam Kab Talak

From the womb of this old universe a new red sun is born—
For extinguished stars, of heaven, how much longer will you mourn? 

Torh Dalain Fitrat-E-Insan Ne Zanjeerain Tamam
Doori Jannat Se Roti Chasm-E-Adam Kab Talak

Now the human mind has made of all its chains a broken heap,
For his banishment from Eden how much longer must Man weep?

Baghban-E-Chara Farma Se Ye Kehti Hai Bahar
Zakhm-E-Gul Ke Waste Tadbeer-E-Marham Kab Talak!

How much longer, of the garden’s old attendant asks the Spring,
For the red wounds of the rose your idle ointments will you bring?  

Karmak-E-Nadan! Tawaf-E-Shama Se Azad Ho
Apni Fitrat Ke Tajalli Zaar Mein Abad Ho

Silly firefly, so long fluttering round the candle, now be free!
Where the lamp of your own spirit shines, there let your dwelling be.

Dunya-e-Islam
The World of Islam 

Kya Sunata Hai Mujhe Turk-O-Arabki Dastan
Mujh Se Kuch Pinhan Nahin Islamiyon Ka Souz-O-Saaz

Why do you tell me the story of the Arab and the Turk?
Nothing of the burning and making of the Muslims is hidden from me.  

Le Gye Taslees Ke Farzand Meeras-E-Khalil (A.S.)
Khisht-E-Bunyad-E-Kalisa Ban Gyi Khak-E-Hijaz

The sons of the Trinity have taken away the heritage of Khalil;
The sand of Hijaz has been made into the foundation stone of the Church! 

Ho Gyi Ruswa Zamane Mein Kulah-E-Lala Rang
Jo Sarapa Naz The, Hain Aaj Majboor-E-Niaz

The red‐capped one has been dishonored in the world;
Those who were pride from head to foot, today are compelled to submission.  

Le Raha Hai Mai Faroshaan-E-Farangistan Se Paras
Woh Mai’ay Sarkash Hararat Jis Ki Hai Meena Gudaz

Persia is buying from the vintners of the West that heady wine
Whose heat is enough to melt the jar. 

Hikmat-E-Maghrib Se Millat Ki Ye Kaifiyat Huwi
Tukre Tukre Jis Tarah Sone Ko Kar Deta Hai Gaaz

By the wisdom of the West the state of the Community has become thus:
As scissors cut gold into tiny pieces. 

Ho Gya Manind-E-Aab Arzaan Musalman Ka Lahoo
Muztarib Hai Tu Ke Tera Dil Nahin Dana’ay Raaz

The blood of the Muslim has become cheap as water;
And you are fretting because your heart does not know the secret.

Guft Rumi “Har Banaye Kuhna Ka Badaan Kunand”
Mee Nadani “Awal Aan Bunyad Ra Weeran Kunand”

Said Rumi: Before they can repopulate any ancient ruin,
Do you not know that first of all they must destroy the foundation? 

Nasal Agar Muslim Ki Mazhab Par Muqadam Ho Gyi
Urh Gya Dunya Se Tu Manind-E-Khak-E-Reh Guzar

The country slipped from its hands, and the eyes of the community were opened;
God has blessed you with sight; look forward, my negligent one! 

Moumiyai Ki Gadai Se To Behter Hai Shikast
Moor-e-Be Par! Hajatay Paish-e-Sulimanay Mabar

Defeat is better than begging for balm;
Wingless ant! Do not bring your request before Solomon.  

Rabt-o-Zabt-e-Millat-e-Baiza Hai Mashriq Ki Nijaat
Asia Wale Hain Iss Nukte Se Ab Tak Be-Khabar

The cohesion of the Radiant Community is the salvation of the East,
But the people of Asia are so far ignorant of this principle.  

Phir Siasat Chorh Kar Dakhil Hisar-e-Deen Mein Ho
Mulk-o-Doulat Hai Faqat Hifz-e-Haram Ka Ek Samar

Again abandon politics and enter the ramparts of the faith;
Polity and dominion are only a fruit of the protection of the Shrine.  

Aik Hon Muslim Haram Ki Pasbani Ke Liye
Neel Ke Sahil Se Le Kar Ta Bakhak-e-Kashghar

May the Muslims unite in watching over the Shrine,
From the banks of the Nile to the deserts of Kashghar.  

Jo Kare Ga Imtiaz-e-Rang-o-Khoon, Mit Jaye Ga
Turk-e-Khargahi Ho Ya Araabi Wala Guhar

Whoever practises discrimination of color and blood will be erased,
Whether he be a tent‐dwelling Turk or an Arab of noble family!  

Nasal Agar Muslim Ki Mazhab Par Muqadam Ho Gyi
Urh Gya Dunya Se Tu Manind-E-Khak-E-Reh Guzar

If race takes precedence over the religion of the Muslim,
You have flown from the world like the dust of the highway. 

Ta Khilafat Ki Bina Dunya Mein Ho Phir Ustawar
La Kahin Se Dhoond Kar Aslaaf Ka Qalb-O-Jigar

So that the foundation of the Caliphate may be once again firm in the world,
Search for and bring from somewhere the heart and spirit of your ancestors.  

Ae Ke Nashna See Khafi Ra Az Jali Hushyar Bash
Ae Giraftar-E-Abubakr (R.A.)-O-Ali (R.A.)  Hushyar Bash

Ah you who cannot distinguish the hidden from the revealed, become aware!
You, caught up in Abu Bakr and Ali, become aware!  

Ishq Ko Faryad Lazim Thi So Woh Bhi Ho Chuki
Ab Zara Dil Thaam Kar Faryad Ki Taseer Dekh

Lamentation was necessary, but now that is over.
Now control your heart a little and see the effect of the lament.  

Tu Ne Dekha Satwat-E-Raftar-E-Darya Ka Urooj
Mouj-E-Muztar Kis Tarah Banti Hai Ab Zanjeer Dekh

You have seen the heights of the power of the river’s current;
Now see how the agitated wave forms a chain.  

Aam Huriyat Ka Jo Dekha Tha Khawab Islam Ne
Ae Musalman Aaj Tu Uss Khawab Ki Tabeer Dekh

The dream which Islam saw of general freedom—
Oh Muslim, see the interpretation of that dream. 

Apni Khakstar Samundar Ko Hai Saman-E-Wujood
Mar Ke Phir Hota Hai Ye Jahan-E-Peer, Dekh

Its own bed of ashes is the means of existence for the salamander;
See this old world dies and is born again.

Khol Kar Ankhain Mere Ayna-E-Guftar Mein
Ane Wale Dour Ki Dhundli Si Ek Tasveer Dekh

Open your eyes and look at the mirror of my words;  
See a hazy picture of the age to come.

Azmudah Fitna Hai Ek Aur Bhi Gardoon Ke Pas
Samne Taqdeer Ke Ruswayi-E-Tadbeer Dekh

The sky has another well‐tried plague to bring;
See the disgrace of scheming before fate.

Muslim Asti Seena Ra Az Arzoo Abad Dar
Har Zaman Paish-E-Nazar ‘La Yukhalif Ul Meead’ Dar

You are a Muslim; fill your heart with desire;
At every time keep before your eyes the words My promise is never broken.