Poetry by Mohammad Iqbal

[a_muslimah86]

:salam2:

I came across a poem by the pakistani thinker and poet Mohammad Iqbal..it is about Sayidatina Fatima (ra)..it spoke of her virtues..and so on

It was so beautiful it literally made me tear-up..

So I was wondering...

Does anyone know which poem I'm talking about???...and are there any poems by him translated to English???..at least if I can find the one I spoke in English..I would be happy..it is just sooo beautiful!..the words...are uh!!!...I can't find the words to describe them

I attached the Arabic below..but I'll translate (the best I can!) the beginning lines maybe someone will recognize it...

Glory rises from three kens in the cradle of Fatima, how elevated is she?
She is the daughter of whom? she is the wife of whom? she is the mother of whom?
Who can rival with her father in dignity?
She is a radiance from the eye of Al-Mustafa
The guider of nations should they ardor guidance

I know this is not *the most* urgent thing in the world..but I appreciate poetry very much and I want to read more by Mohammad Iqbal without having to google for hours on end with practically no result

 

[Zafran]

salaam

yeah he was a good thinker - pity Pakistan went the other way.

peace.

 

[a_muslimah86]

salaam

yeah he was a good thinker - pity Pakistan went the other way.

peace.

But..*still*..it makes one proud to know that such thinkers and intellects were part of the ummah..even if they're part of the past..we should pray to have more Iqbals..more Al-Shafe'ees..more of Ibn Al-Qayyims..more of every single intellectual..'Alim..and thinker who passed in Islamic history and influenced it beautifully..in our present and future

And pity is welcome..only if it will be the door opening unto a *betterment*..other than that..let's find the good..even it layed within *one single* person

 

[AlQurtubi]

www.allamaiqbal.com

He is called "poet of the east" and his work has been translated into many languages. He has written a lot in persian. I have the english translation of his urdu work but beleive me it isnt any fun.

He is a person who has brought abrupt change in my thinking and he has written some excellent poems abt muslim renaissance and jihad. All the time he is urging ummah to go out. IF u read him closely, you will find out.

He might look secular at a glance but he isnt. He spent his time with Ata Ullah Shah Bukhari, a person who led the movement Against Qadyanis. Read his poems named "shikwa (complain)" and "javab-e-shikwa (answer to complain)". These 2 of the many famous poems he has written.

REad about him and read him .Im sure u will get crazy like me.

And oh yeha.. this poem..lol.. I think i have it in urdu but i forgot the name. I will check it out and tell u . I wonder where u get its arabic translation from?

 

[a_muslimah86]

www.allamaiqbal.com

He is called "poet of the east" and his work has been translated into many languages. He has written a lot in persian. I have the english translation of his urdu work but beleive me it isnt any fun.

He is a person who has brought abrupt change in my thinking and he has written some excellent poems abt muslim renaissance and jihad. All the time he is urging ummah to go out. IF u read him closely, you will find out.

He might look secular at a glance but he isnt. He spent his time with Ata Ullah Shah Bukhari, a person who led the movement Against Qadyanis. Read his poems named "shikwa (complain)" and "javab-e-shikwa (answer to complain)". These 2 of the many famous poems he has written.

REad about him and read him .Im sure u will get crazy like me.

And oh yeha.. this poem..lol.. I think i have it in urdu but i forgot the name. I will check it out and tell u . I wonder where u get its arabic translation from?

Jazaka Allah Khair for the link brother...

The reason why I made this thread is because this one poem of his that I read provoked my literal interest and my passion for poetry...I came across the Arabic-version of the poem while watching a clip on youtube..a monshed turned a few lines from the poem I attached into a nasheed..to show the *sound* and *aqeedah-acceptable* love of Ahlul Sunnah for Ahlul-Bait..and I was *hooked*..so I looked up the poem on google..

I really wish I can read more of his works..I read a bit on his background..and inshallah I will do more..but I want to satisfy my want of finding his works even if just in Arabic for now...

Thank you again for the information you provided

 

[a_muslimah86]

:salam2:
here is a link of shikwa jawaabe shikwa by mohammad iqbal
http://www.turntoislam.com/forum/showthread.php?t=50584

Baraka Allaho Feeki ukhti..you saved me a lot of time..thank you so much for the link..I really appreciate it!

 

[AlQurtubi]

If you find out any of his work, do let me know as well. I can have plenty of printed material here but scanning it would be a tough task. But only if you could pay me.. lol

 

[BinteShafi]

The Child's Invocation

:salam2:

This short poem contains the ideal wish of a Muslim child. It is frequently taught to and memorized by the Muslim children in the Indo-Pakistan-Bangladesh region. This is the peom we used to say in our morning prayer in the school (from year 1 to year 10). This prayer is one of the most beautiful memories of my life.

Translation

My longing comes to my lips as supplication of mine
O God! May like the candle be the life of mine!

May the world's darkness disappear through the life of mine!
May every place light up with the sparkling light of mine!

May my homeland through me attain elegance
As the garden through flowers attains elegance

May my life like that of the moth be, O Lord!
May I love the lamp of knowledge, O Lord!

May supportive of the poor my life's way be
May loving the old, the suffering my way be

O God! Protect me from the evil ways
Show me the path leading to the good ways

 

[Robab]

iqbal is the great poet of east

I know about Muhammand iqbal.his vision is vast.the america call him(As a sir)he spiritually attached with Allah.he is the one poet who is famous all over the world.he is the National poet of Pakistan.his tomb is in lahore.if i say like him poet is not in this world.that will be true.Every muslim should to teach Quran and sunnah also with the poetry of Iqbal.Thus u can understand his poetry.he had deeply attachment with quran.

 

[BinteShafi]

Complaint to Allah -Part 1 (Shikwa by Iqbal)

Why should I be destructive and remain reckless of betterment?
Think not of the future, remain occupied in today’s problems?

Should I hear nightingale’s wails, and remain completely silent?
O companion! Am I some flower so that I may remain silent?

The strength of my poetry is encouraging to me
Woe be to me ! My remonstrance is against God!

It is true that we are famous in the methods of obeisance
But we are relating our story of pain out of compulsion

Though a silent orchestra, we are full of complaint
If the wailing comes to lips we are excusable

O God! Listen to the remonstrance also from the faithful
Listen to some complaint also from the one accustomed to praise you

Though Thy Eternal Essence had existed since eternity
The flower existed in the garden but fragrance had not dispersed

Justice is a condition, O Lord of Universal Benevolence
How could flower’s fragrance spread if zephyr did not exist?


The scene of Thy world was strange before us
Stones were adored somewhere, trees were worshipped somewhere

The eyes of Man were accustomed to tangible forms
How could they be amenable to accept the Unseen God?


Saljuqs were living here and the Turanâs also
The Chinese in China and in Iran the Sasanâs also

The Greeks were also living in the same habitation
In the same world were the Jews and the Christians also

But who raised the sword in Thy name?
Who reclaimed the despoiled world in Thy name?


Some times we were calling adhans in the Europe’s cathedrals
And sometimes in the scorching African deserts

We never cared for the grandeur of monarchs
We recited the Kalimah under the shade of swords

If we lived we lived for the calamities of wars
If we died we died for the grandeur of Thy name

We did not wield the sword for our kingdoms
Did we roam about the world fearlessly for wealth?


Once firmly standing in the battle we were immovable
Even lions in the battle against us would be in flight


We impressed Tawhéed’s picture on every heart
We conveyed this message even under the dagger

Tell us Thou, by whom was uprooted the gate of Khaibar
By whom was conquered the city which was Qaisar’s ?

By whom were the images of created gods destroyed?
By whom were the armies of infidels slaughtered?

By whom was the fire temple of Iran extinguished?
By whom was the story of Yazdan restored to life?

Which nation did become Thy seeker exclusively?
And became embroiled in wars’ calamities for Thee?

Whose world-conquering sword did world-ruler become?
By whose Takbir did Thy world enlightened become?

Through whose fear idols did perpetually alarmed remain?
Falling on their faces saying “Huwa Allah O Aéad did remain?

If the time of prayer right during the battle fell
Hijaz’ nation in prostration facing the Ka’abah fell

Both Mahmud and Ayaz in the same row stood
None as the slave and none as the master stood

The slave and the master, the poor and the rich all became one!
On arrival in Thy Audience all were reduced to one!

 

[BinteShafi]

Complaint to Allah -Part 2 (Shikwa by Iqbal)

We continuously wandered all over the world
We wandered like the wine-cup with Tawhéâd’s wine

We wandered with Thy Message in the mountains, in the deserts
And doth Thou know whether we ever returned unsuccessful?

What of the deserts! We did not spare even oceans!
We galloped our horses in the dark ocean!

We effaced falsehood from the earth’s surface
We freed the human race from bonds of slavery

We filled Thy Ka’bah with our foreheads
We put Thy Qur’an to our hearts

There are other ummahs, among them are sinners also
There are modest people and arrogant ones also

Among them are slothful, indolent as well as clever people
There are also hundreds who are disgusted with Thy name

Thy Graces descend on the other people’s abodes
Lightning strikes only the poor Muslims’ abodes

Infidelity is mocking, hast Thou some feeling or not?
Dost Thou have any regard for Thy own Tawhéed or not?

We do not complain that their treasures are full
Who are not in possession of even basic social graces

We have been deprived of the former graces and favors
What is the matter, we are deprived of the former honors?

Why is the material wealth rare among Muslims?
Thy omnipotence is boundless and inestimable

Others’ sarcasm, disgrace and poverty is our lot
Is abjection the reward for Loving Thee ?

We live with the object of spreading Thy fame in the world
Can the wine-cup exist if the cup-bearer does not live?


The Love’s heart is the same, the Beauty’s magic is the same
The Ummah of the Holy Prophet is the same, Thou art the same

Why then this displeasure without reason is?
Why then this displeasure for Thy Lovers is?

Did we forsake Thee, did we forsake the Arabian Holy Prophet?
Did we adopt idol sculpture, did we idol breaking forsake?

Did we forsake Love, and did we forsake the madness of Love?
Did we forsake the customs of Salman and Uwais of Qur’un ?

We have the Takbir’s fire suppressed in our hearts!
We are living the life of Bilal tée Negro!

Why are not our breasts filled with Love’s sparks now?
We are the same Lovers, dost Thou not remember now?

O that happy day when Thou with elegance will come back?
When Thou unveiled to our congregation will come back?

Others are sitting at the stream bank in the rose garden
Listening to the cuckoo’s call with wine-cup in their hand

Make easy the difficulties of the blessed Ummah
Place the poor ant shoulder to shoulder to Sulaiman

Make the invaluable produce of Love accessible again
Change the idolatrous Muslims into Muslims again

My alembic may be from `Ajam, but my wine is from Hijaz
The song may be Indian but my tune is from Hijaz

 

[BinteShafi]

Response to the complaint -Part1 (Jawab-Shikwa by Iqbal)

Whatever comes out of the heart is effective
It has no wings but has the power of flight

We are inclined to Mercy, but there is no one to implore
Whom can we show the way ? There is no wayfarer to the destination

Jewel polishing is common, but there is no proper jewel
There is no clay capable of being molded into ÿdam

Arms are feeble, hearts are accustomed to apostasy
The ‘believers’ are a source of disgrace to the Prophet

Idol-breakers have departed, the rest are idol-makers
Though the father was Ibahâm the sons are ÿzar

How difficult for you is waking up at the dawn!
You have no Love for Us, sleep is dear to you

Ramadan’s restriction is irksome to your free nature
You tell us ! Is this the appropriate rule of fidelity?

A nation exists on the din, you cease to exist if the din does not exist
Without mutual attraction the assembly of stars does not exist

You are the ones who do not know any art in the world
You are the nation which does not care for its nest

You are the harvest which harbours the lightning
You are those who sell their ancestors’ graves

As you have earned a good name by selling graves
Will you not sell if idols of stone you get?

Who effaced false worship from the face of the world?
Who rescued the human race from slavery ?

Who adorned my Ka‘bah with their foreheads in Love?
Who put my Qur’an to their breasts in reverence?

They were surely your ancestors, but what are you ?
Sitting in idleness, waiting for tomorrow are you !


The Holy Haram is one, God is one, Qur’an also is one
Would it have been very difficult for Muslims to be one

Sects abound somewhere and somewhere are castes!
Are these the ways to progress in the world?

Who is the denouncer of the laws of the Holy Prophet?
The criterion for whose actions is expediency of time ?

Who is enamoured with the customs of the enemies
Whose thinking is disgusted with ancestors’ ways?

No warmth is in the heart, no feeling is in the soul
There is no respect for the message of Muhammad(SAW) in you!

If some array themselves in mosques, it is the poor
If some endure the discomfort of fasting it is the poor

If some are reverent to Us it is the poor
If some hide your faults it is the poor

The rich in their arrogance of wealth are negligent of Us
The Millat-i-Baiî(Islam) is alive on the strength of the poor

That mature thinking of the nation’s preacher is gone
That natural lightning is gone, fiery speeches are gone

 

[BinteShafi]

Response to the complaint -Part2 (Jawab-Shikwa by Iqbal)

The ritual of adhan has persisted, the spirit of Bilal is gone
Philosophy has persisted, the teaching of Ghazalâ is gone

In fashion you are Christians, in culture you are Hindus
Are these Muslims ! Who put the Jews to embarrassment!

Sure, you are even Saiyyid, Mirza and Afghan also
You are all these, say whether you are Musalmans also?

During speech the candor of the Muslim was fearless
His justice was strong, undefiled by consideration of bias

The tree of Muslim’s nature was watered with modesty
In valor he was an incomprehensible existence

If the art of the father not well-known to the son be
How can the son worthy of the heritage of the father be!

Everyone is intoxicated with the wine of indulgence
Are you Muslims? To you is this the way of Islam?

You have neither the faqr of Haidar nor the wealth of Uthman
What spiritual relation between you and your ancestors exists?

They were respected in the world by being Muslims
And you became disgraced by abandoning the Qur’an

You are indignant to each other, beneficent they were
You are guilty and prying into guilts, forgiving and merciful they were

You are self-destructive, zealous and self-respecting they were
You flee from brotherhood, lovers and brotherhood they were

Let there be no wailing against ‘tyranny’ or complaint of ‘injustice’
Love is free, why should not the Beauty be free also?

The new age is a lightning, consuming every barn is
Safe from this no wilderness and no rose-garden is

If the Ieman of Ibrahim is acquired even now
Fire can create the garden’s norm even now

The gardener should not be upset by seeing the garden’s state
Branches are about to appear from the bunches of buds

The garden will be cleared soon of the waste and trash
The red of the martyrs’ blood will be producing rose buds

Look a little the color of the sky somewhat red is
This the glowing of the horizon by the rising sun is!

Some nations in the existence’s garden benefited from their labors are
And some deprived of fruits and even destroyed by autumn are

Hundreds of trees deteriorated and hundreds flourishing are
Hundreds still even concealed in the bosom of the garden are


You are the support of the boat of God in the world
The present age is night, you are a glimmering star

This tumult of Bulgaria’s invasion which is afoot
Is the message of awakening for the negligent

You think this is the plan for hurting your sentiments
This is a test of your sacrifice and your self respect

Why are you afraid of the hooves of the enemies’ horses ?
The enemies’ blows will be unable to extinguish the light of the Truth

Your potential is still hidden from the world’s nations
The assembly of existence still has need for you

There is no time for leisure, there is work to be done
Completion of the light of Tawhéed is still to be done


With the Love’s power elevate every low to elegance
With Muhammad’s (SAW) name illuminate the whole world


In China’s city, in Morocco’s desert it is
And concealed in the Ieman of the Muslim it is

The world’s eyes should witness this sight till eternity
The Elegance of the grandeur of “Rafa‘n« Laka Zikrak” should see

Intellect is your shield, Love is your sword
My dervish !Your vicegerency is world-conquering

Your Takbir like fire for Godlessness is
If you are Muslim your prudence your destiny is

If you are loyal to Muhammad (SAW) we are yours
This universe is nothing the Tablet and the Pen are yours

 

[Mohsin]

:salam2:

Truly Iqbal was an inspirational poet. A lot is said about him but there are few others that are forgotten or at least not given due importance. Sorry for being off topic but has anyone heard of Hali ?

I find him equally inspiring. One of his famous written work was Musaddas. It is a very very long poem written on the condition of the Muslim Ummah. Amazing stuff, I recommend if you get a hand on it do read it. Here is an example.

ghaTa sar pai adbar ki cha rahi hai
falakat samaan apna dikhla rahi hai
nahoosat pas wa paish manDla rahi hai
chap aur ast sai yeh sada rahi hai
kai kal kaun thai aaj kia ho gaye tum
abhi jaagtay thai abhi so gaye tum

^ Transl:
The raincloud of adversity is spreading over their heads
Calamity is showing itself
Inauspiciousness is hovering behind and in front
From left and right is coming the cry,
Who were you yesterday, and what have you become today
Just now you were awake, and now you have gone to sleep

par uss qaum ghafil ki ghaflat wohi hai
tanazzal pai apnay qanayat wohi hai
milay khak mai par raoonat wohi hai
hui subah aur khawb-e rahat wohi hai
na afsos inhain apni zallat pai hai kuch
na rashk aur qaumon ki izzat pai hai kuch

^Transl:
But the obliviousness of that heedless community is still the same
Their contentment with their decline is still the same
They have been reduced to dust, but their arrogance is still the same
Morning has come, and their comfortable sleep is still the same
They feel not the slightest sorrow at their degradation
nor envy of the prestige of other communities

 

[AlQurtubi]

Mohsin, Hali might be one of the gr8 ones but Iqbal is called Ghalib of his time. LEts start another thread on it.

Sister BinteShafi, Very nice translations indeed MashALLAH. Specially that Lub pay ati hay dua ban kay tamanna meri. The second one is shikwa im sure

 

[a_muslimah86]

:salam2:

Wow!..mashallah!

Didn't realize I'll get this much feedback!...sister binteshafi and brother mohsin..jazakoma allah every khair for finding materials for me!

And I must say again and again..Mohammad Iqbal sure makes a Muslim proud!!!...his works really make me want to go back to journaling and poetry writing (in my humble skills of course)