O you whose life is confined in the material world
O you whose soul is imprisoned in the cage
Look at the freedom of this garden's warblers
Look at the prosperity of those once desolate
This is the congregation with which I was concerned
This is the reward of patience and perseverance
My tomb-stone is ardently desirous of speech, look !
At this tomb-stone's inscription with insight look !
If your aim in the world is dân's education
Never teach your nation world's abdication
Do not use your tongue for sectarianism
Resurrection Day's tumult for booty is stalking
Your writings should pave the way for unity
Beware! No heart should be hurt by your speech
In the new congregation do not start old tales
Do not start again what are now unacceptable tales
Listen to my advice if you are any statesman
Courage is your support if you are a leader of men
Hesitation in expressing your purpose does not behoove you
If your intentions are good you should not fear anything
The Mu’min's heart is clear of fear and hypocrisy
The Mu’min's heart is fearless against the ruler's power
If your hands do hold the miraculous pen
If your heart's cup is clear like the cup of Jam
You are a Divine pupil! Keep your tongue immaculate!
Beware, Lest your prayer's call remains unanswered!
With the miracle of your verse awaken those sleeping
Burn down falsehood's produce with the flame of your call
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Comments
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Thank you, Seraph, for your elaboration on this piece, it helps Western readers such as myself who only seem to read safe Eurocentric poetry understand pieces such as this one much better.
- Giovanni -
"Saiyyid" or "Sir Saiyyid" is the popular name of Sir Saiyyid Aémad Kh«n. This poem is the spontaneous expression of the sentiments which must have been created in the heart of ‘Allamah Iqbal when he visited the grave of Sir Saiyyid Aémad Khan in the yard of the Central Mosque of the Muslim University, Aligarh. The poem contains the advice which the deceased would have given to the poet if both had met in actual life. The poem is an indication of the reverence of ‘Allamah Iqbal for Sir Saiyyid Aémad Khan. The advice contained in this poem applies to any sincere leader.
4th and the following verse allude to the beginning of the renaissance of the Indian Muslims resulting from the efforts of Sir Saiyyid Aémad Khan and his cooperators.
Jam is the legendary wine-cup of a pre-Islamic Persian emperor, Jamshâd, in which he could see the world.
Edited on Feb 17, 9:11 p.m. because ''.
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