Martyrdom of IMAM HUSSAIN (RA)

INTRODUCTION

Sir Muhammad Iqbal (1877-1938), was a famous poet and philosopher of the Indian sub-continent. His poetry in Urdu and Persian is considered to be among the greatest of the modern era, and he is commonly known as Allama Iqbal. Two of his poems “Shikwa”, published in 1909, and Jawab-e-Shikwa in 1913 draws attention towards the present state of Muslim community. 

The poem Shikwa is a complaint from the poet, that God has stopped showering his blessings on Muslims, resulting in their decline. Jawab-e Shikwa is written as the answer from God, in which Allama Iqbal argues convincingly, that God has not broken his promise; instead it is the Muslims, who have turned away from the Path of the Prophet (PBUH). There are 31 stanzas in Shikwa and 36 in Jawab e shikwa. 

This is a marvellous piece of literature from Allama Iqbal. I felt there is a need to translate it for the benefit of all, and Alhamdulillah I could complete this work and present it before you. This is not a word to word translation but a free translation which explains the essence of the poem in simple lines, arranged in an order of complaint (Shikwa) and response (Jawab e Shikwa). I have taken 16 stanzas each from the two poems selectively, lest the article becomes very lengthy.

The complaint concludes with a prayer and the response concludes with an advice and solution. The last two lines of this poem are like a jewel in the crown. A picture of the essential teachings of Islam is drawn throughout the poem, the shortcomings and failures of the Muslim community are also discussed. Then at the end, the complete essence of the thought is poured in these two lines which demand true loyalty to the Prophet (PBUH). Here loyalty does not mean mere expression of love but implementing the complete teachings of the prophet in our lives, and transforming our character in all walks of life. I hope this work shall benefit all of us and bring a change in us. Aameen. 

SYED SAJID

Islamandmuslimstoday.blogspot.com                                               23 OCTOBER, 2020

Shikwa - 1

Thi To Moujood Azal Say He Teri Zaat Qadeem

Phool Tha Zaib E Chaman, Par Na Pareshaan Thi Shamim

Shart Insaaf Hai Ay Sahib E Altaf E Ameem

Bu E Gul Phailti kis Tarhe Jo Hoti Na Nasim

Hum Ko Jamiat E Khatir Yeh Pareshaani Thi

Warna Ummat Teray Mehboob Ki, Deewani Thi?

Though you (Allah) existed like a décor of the garden since eternity, without the breeze, the fragrance of the flower had not spread. We the Ummat (followers) of your Prophet (PBUH) were not insane to be distressed, but for the peace of mind we did spread your fragrance like a breeze. (I.e. The Muslims spread the name of Allah and worshiped him throughout the world)

JAWAB E SHIKWA - 1

Ham to mā.il-ba-karam haiñ koī saa.il hī nahīñ

raah dikhlā.eñ kise rah-rav-e-manzil hī nahīñ

tarbiyat aam to hai jauhar-e-qābil hī nahīñ

jis se ta.amīr ho aadam kī ye vo gil hī nahīñ

koī qābil ho to ham shān-e-ka.ī dete haiñ

DhūñDne vāloñ ko duniyā bhī na.ī dete haiñ

We are inclined to Mercy, but there is no one to implore (seek). To whom shall we show the path, when there is no one seeking the destination? My training is for all, but there is no competency in you. This is not the clay used in the making of Adam. We shall not only confer the glory of “KAI” on the deserving but a whole new world to those who search! (Kai is a vast empire of the olden times in the Persian region)

Shikwa - 2

Ham se pahle thā ajab tere jahāñ kā manzar

kahīñ masjūd the patthar kahīñ mābūd shajar

ḳhūgar-e-paikar-e-mahsūs thī insāñ kī nazar

māntā phir koī an-dekhe ḳhudā ko kyūñkar

tujh ko mālūm hai letā thā koī naam terā

quvvat-e-bāzu-e-muslim ne kiyā kaam tirā

The scene of Thy world was strange before us. Stones and trees were being adored and worshipped everywhere. Man was accustomed to worship the tangible forms of God. How an unseen God would then be acceptable to him? Do you know, was anyone even uttering your name? We Muslims alone had glorified your name throughout the world.

JAWAB E SHIKWA - 2

Jin ko aatā nahīñ duniyā meñ koī fan tum ho

nahīñ jis qaum ko parvā-e-nasheman tum ho

bijliyāñ jis meñ hoñ āsūda vo ḳhirman tum ho

bech khāte haiñ jo aslāf ke madfan tum ho

ho niko naam jo qabroñ kī tijārat kar ke

kyā na bechoge jo mil jaa.eñ sanam patthar ke

You are the most incompetent in knowledge and worth; who are least concerned of their own garden (dwelling). You are such a barn (heap of stock of grass) where even the lightning loses its sheen. You sell off even the coffins of your elders. In converting the graves to centres of profit, you have proved yourselves adept; should idol‐trading fetch a benefit, of course you would not hesitate to do even that.

Shikwa - 3

The hamīñ ek tere mārka-ārāoñ meñ

ḳhushkiyoñ meñ kabhī laḌte kabhī dariyāoñ meñ

diiñ azāneñ kabhī europe ke kalīsāoñ meñ

kabhī africa ke tapte hue sahrāoñ meñ

shaan āñkhoñ meñ na jachtī thī jahāñ-dāroñ kī

kalma paḌhte the hamīñ chhāñv meñ talvāroñ kī

We alone were the marshals of Thy troops! We struggled on land, on water; we called the humanity towards the path of success, from the scorching deserts of Africa and from the cathedrals of Europe. We never cared for the grandeur of monarchs. We remained steadfast on the path of monotheism and submission to your will, even in the most hostile circumstances. 

JAWAB E SHIKWA - 3

Har musalmāñ rag-e-bātil ke liye nashtar thā

us ke ā.īna-e-hastī meñ amal jauhar thā

jo bharosā thā use quvvat-e-bāzū par thā

hai tumheñ maut kā Dar us ko ḳhudā kā Dar thā

baap kā ilm na beTe ko agar azbar ho

phir pisar qābil-e-mīrās-e-pidar kyūñkar ho

Every Muslim of the past, proved to be a knife on the vein of falsehood. His life mirrored the shine of a jewel with his deeds and righteousness. He believed in his own efforts and actions rather than mere rituals. Today you fear the death, but he feared nothing except Allah and his anger. When the offspring are not even aware of such virtues of their forefathers, how do they qualify for that heritage?

Shikwa - 4

Ham jo jiite the to jañgoñ kī musībat ke liye

aur marte the tire naam kī azmat ke liye

thī na kuchh teġhzanī apnī hukūmat ke liye

sar-ba-kaf phirte the kyā dahr meñ daulat ke liye

qaum apnī jo zar-o-māl-e-jahāñ par martī

but-faroshī ke evaz but-shikanī kyuuñ kartī

Our lives and deaths were for the grandeur of thy name. Our sword was not for the lust of power and kingship. Did we travel on the land endangering our lives, for wealth and possessions? Nay, had our community desired the riches of this world, we would have traded the idols and deities, instead of confronting the demigods and masters of the material world.

JAWAB E SHIKWA - 4

Haath be-zor haiñ ilhād se dil ḳhūgar haiñ

ummatī bā.is-e-rusvā.i-e-paiġhambar haiñ

but-shikan uTh ga.e baaqī jo rahe but-gar haiñ

thā brāhīm pidar aur pisar aazar haiñ

bāda-āshām na.e baada nayā ḳhum bhī na.e

haram-e-kāba nayā but bhī na.e tum bhī na.e

The arms are feeble now, and hearts accustomed to atheism. Today with their actions, the ‘believers’ themselves have brought disgrace to their beloved Prophet. Those who confronted the demigods and masters of the material world have departed; the left-over are the advocators of idol-trade (materialism). Though the father was Ibrahim the progeny are Aazar. Now the wine is new, the tavern, the decanters and even the boozers are new. Now your Kaaba is different, the idols are different and even you are different. 

(A parable is drawn to Prophet Abraham, whose father was an idol sculptor. The progenitors of present day Muslims were like Abraham who opposed the idol worship and today Muslims are worshiping various newer forms of idols such as materialism etc.)

Shikwa - 5

Tal na sakte the agar jañg meñ aḌ jaate the

paañv sheroñ ke bhī maidāñ se ukhaḌ jaate the

tujh se sarkash huā koī to bigaḌ jaate the

teġh kyā chiiz hai ham top se laḌ jaate the

naqsh-e-tauhīd kā har dil pe biThāyā ham ne

zer-e-ḳhanjar bhī ye paiġhām sunāyā ham ne

We fought the battles so firmly that even the great warriors were subdued. Anyone who raised or rebelled against you faced our ire. We faced the sword and canons, put up a firm defense with all valor and bravery. We engraved the image of monotheism on every heart, conveyed the same message even under the dagger.

JAWAB E SHIKWA - 5

Har koī mast-e-mai-e-zauq-e-tan-āsānī hai

Tum musalmāñ ho ye andāz-e-musalmānī hai

haidarī faqr hai ne daulat-e-usmānī hai

Tum ko aslāf se kyā nisbat-e-rūhānī hai

vo zamāne meñ muazziz the musalmāñ ho kar

aur tum ḳhvār hue tārik-e-qur.āñ ho kar

All of you are in euphoria of indulgence and craving for the comforts of life. Are you a Muslim? Is this a characteristic of a true Muslim? Is this a virtue of those who submit themselves to their creator? Is this a teaching of Islam? Neither the wealthy have the generosity of Usman (RA) nor do the poor and destitute have the piety of Ali (RA). You do not have any bonding with the companions of your prophet. They were honored and respected for being true Muslims, whereas you are humiliated for abandoning the teachings of Quran. 

Shikwa - 6

Tū hī kah de ki ukhāḌā dar-e-ḳhaibar kis ne

shahr qaisar kā jo thā us ko kiyā sar kis ne

toḌe maḳhlūq ḳhudāvandoñ ke paikar kis ne

kaaT kar rakh diye kuffār ke lashkar kis ne

kis ne ThanDā kiyā ātish-kada-e-īrāñ ko

kis ne phir zinda kiyā tazkira-e-yazdāñ ko

Tell us Thou, who uprooted the gate of Khaibar? Who conquered the city of Qaisar? Who broke the charisma of imperialistic lords and demigods? Who annihilated the groups of oppressors and tyrants, who extinguished the fire temple of Iran? And who gave life to the thought of oneness of God once again?

JAWAB E SHIKWA - 6

Khud-kushī sheva tumhārā vo ġhayūr o ḳhuddār

Tum uḳhuvvat se gurezāñ vo uḳhuvvat pe nisār

Tum ho guftār sarāpā vo sarāpā kirdār

Tum taraste ho kalī ko vo gulistāñ ba-kanār

Ab talak yaad hai qaumoñ ko hikāyat un kī

Naqsh hai safha-e-hastī pe sadāqat un kī

You are self-destructive, they possessed self-respect and were of highest standards. You are men of mere words and they were men of character. They sacrificed themselves for humanity and brotherhood, and you run away from such virtues. To this day their legends are fresh in the memories, as their honesty and truthfulness has been engraved on the pages of life. 

Shikwa - 7

Kaun sī qaum faqat terī talabgār huī

aur tere liye zahmat-kash-e-paikār huī

kis kī shamshīr jahāñgīr jahāñ-dār huī

kis kī takbīr se duniyā tirī bedār huī

kis kī haibat se sanam sahme hue rahte the

muñh ke bal gir ke hū-allahu-ahad kahte the

Which community among the nations desired exclusively thyself, facing every hardship? Whose success had encompassed the entire world? By whose clarion call of equality, humanity, and monotheism was the world enlightened? With whose fear did the idols of falsehood, oppression and tyranny were frightened, fell down in submission, accepting the oneness and sovereignty of God?

JAWAB E SHIKWA - 7

Jā ke hote haiñ masājid meñ saf-ārā to ġharīb

zahmat-e-roza jo karte haiñ gavārā to ġharīb

naam letā hai agar koī hamārā to ġharīb

parda rakhtā hai agar koī tumhārā to ġharīb

umarā nashsha-e-daulat meñ haiñ ġhāfil ham se

zinda hai millat-e-baizā ġhorabā ke dam se

It is the poor who stand in the parades of prayers; it is the poor who endure the discomforts of fasting. If anyone glorifies our name, it is the have-nots, if anyone hides your faults it is the same poverty-stricken destitute. The prosperous have neglected God in their pomposity, vanity and arrogance, whereas the sheen and glory of the community is alive through the penniless indigent.

SHIKWA - 8

Aa gayā ain laḌā.ī meñ agar vaqt-e-namāz

qibla-rū ho ke zamīñ-bos huī qaum-e-hijāz

ek hī saf meñ khaḌe ho ga.e mahmūd o ayaaz

na koī banda rahā aur na koī banda-navāz

banda o sāhab o mohtāj o ġhanī ek hue

terī sarkār meñ pahuñche to sabhī ek hue

The essence of the ritualistic worship was followed even in the most hostile circumstances. The haves and have-nots stood in unity, for prayers towards the Kaaba. The slave and the master stood in the same row, neither the servant remained a slave nor the ruler remained a master. Reaching upon your noble court, the haves and have-nots, all became equal! O lord!

JAWAB E SHIKWA - 8

Kis qadar tum pe girāñ sub.h kī bedārī hai

ham se kab pyaar hai haañ niiñd tumheñ pyārī hai

tab-e-āzād pe qaid-e-ramazāñ bhārī hai

tumhīñ kah do yahī ā.īn-e-vafādārī hai

qaum maz.hab se hai maz.hab jo nahīñ tum bhī nahīñ

jazb-e-bāham jo nahīñ mahfil-e-anjum bhī nahīñ

Waking up for the dawn prayer has become arduous (tough) for you now. Sleep has become dearer to you than the love of God. The bindings and restrictions of fasting during Ramadan are a burden on your liberal nature now. Tell me, is this a commitment of your faith? Unto a nation faith is vital, without which you will fade away. When the reciprocal commitment is lost, even the gratification shall cease.

SHIKWA - 9

Safha-e-dahr se bātil ko miTāyā ham ne

nau-e-insāñ ko ġhulāmī se chhuḌāyā ham ne

tere ka.abe ko jabīnoñ se basāyā ham ne

tere qur.ān ko sīnoñ se lagāyā ham ne

phir bhī ham se ye gila hai ki vafādār nahīñ

Ham vafādār nahīñ tū bhī to dildār nahīñ

We effaced (erased) falsehood from the pages of time (from earth). We liberated the human race from the bonds of slavery. We decorated your Kaaba with our foreheads. We followed the teaching of your Qur’an with all our heart and spirit. Yet, we are being accused of unfaithfulness. If we are unfaithful then you too are not generous.

JAWAB E SHIKWA - 9

Safha-e-dahr se bātil ko miTāyā kis ne

nau-e-insāñ ko ġhulāmī se chhuḌāyā kis ne

mere ka.abe ko jabīnoñ se basāyā kis ne

mere qur.ān ko sīnoñ se lagāyā kis ne

the to aabā vo tumhāre hī magar tum kyā ho

haath par haath dhare muntazir-e-fardā ho

Who effaced (erased) falsehood from the pages of time (from earth)? Who liberated the human race from the bonds of slavery? Who decorated my Kaaba with their foreheads? Who followed the teaching of my Qur’an with all their heart and spirit? Were they not your own progenitors (forefathers)? But are you the same? Nay! You sit and wait in slothful ease for every morrow’s dawn. 

SHIKWA - 10

Ummateñ aur bhī haiñ un meñ gunahgār bhī haiñ

ijz vaale bhī haiñ mast-e-mai-e-pindār bhī haiñ

un meñ kāhil bhī haiñ ġhāfil bhī haiñ hushyār bhī haiñ

saikḌoñ haiñ ki tire naam se be-zār bhī haiñ

rahmateñ haiñ tirī aġhyār ke kāshānoñ par

barq girtī hai to bechāre musalmānoñ par

There are other nations as well, who have sinners among them. Not only the intellectual, but also the modest, the arrogant, the indolent, as well as the ignorant present among them. Also there are hundreds who are disgusted with your name among them. But, Thy Graces descend on their abodes and the calamities strike only on the poor Muslims.

JAWAB E SHIKWA - 10

Ummateñ gulshan-e-hastī meñ samar-chīda bhī haiñ

aur mahrūm-e-samar bhī haiñ ḳhizāñ-dīda bhī haiñ

saikḌoñ naḳhl haiñ kāhīda bhī bālīda bhī haiñ

saikḌoñ batn-e-chaman meñ abhī poshīda bhī haiñ

naḳhl-e-islām namūna hai birau-mandī kā

phal hai ye saikḌoñ sadiyoñ kī chaman-bandī kā

In this garden of life, (i.e. in the world, throughout the history) you will find many nations who arose and enjoyed the fruits of prosperity, and also you will find many nations who longed in vain for success and fame. And many are yet, hidden in the womb of this garden, awaiting their birth. The sanctuary (meaning the prosperity) of Islam was an example of success, which bore the fruits as a result of the hard work of centuries. (Here the poet is saying that the success and fame favours only those who put real efforts, and it cannot be awarded merely through prayers).

SHIKWA - 11

But sanam-ḳhānoñ meñ kahte haiñ musalmān ga.e

haiḳhushī un ko ki ka.abe ke nigahbān ga.e

manzil-e-dahr se ūñToñ ke hudī-ḳhvān ga.e

apnī baġhloñ meñ dabā.e hue qur.ān ga.e

ḳhanda-zan kufr hai ehsās tujhe hai ki nahīñ

apnī tauhīd kā kuchh paas tujhe hai ki nahīñ

The demigods of falsehood are saying that ‘The Muslims are gone’. They are glad that the Kaaba’s sentinels who advocate the sovereignty of creator are gone. From the world’s stage the torch bearers of monotheism have gone. The apostles of Quran, upon their failure, have packed up and gone. Oppression and tyranny is mocking at the human race. Do you have any feeling or not? Don’t you have any regard for your own oneness and sovereignty?

JAWAB E SHIKWA - 11

Kaun hai tārik-e-ā.īn-e-rasūl-e-muḳhtār

maslahat vaqt kī hai kis ke amal kā me.aar

kis kī āñkhoñ meñ samāyā hai shi.ār-e-aġhyār

ho ga.ī kis kī nigah tarz-e-salaf se be-zār

qalb meñ soz nahīñ ruuh meñ ehsās nahīñ

kuchh bhī paiġhām-e-mohammad kā tumheñ paas nahīñ

Who has abandoned the law and teachings brought by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)? Who base their actions today on a measuring scale of suitability of time and pragmatism, rather than following the command of Allah? Who is mesmerized with the glitter of falsehood? Who have turned a blind eye on the path followed by the early disciples of the Prophet? Your hearts lack the passion, souls lack the zeal, and you do not care anymore for the message of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

 SHIKWA - 12

Ye shikāyat nahīñ haiñ un ke ḳhazāne māmūr

nahīñ mahfil meñ jinheñ baat bhī karne kā shu.ūr

qahr to ye hai ki kāfir ko mileñ huur o qusūr

aur bechāre musalmāñ ko faqat vāda-e-hūr

ab vo altāf nahīñ ham pe ināyāt nahīñ

baat ye kyā hai ki pahlī sī mudārāt nahīñ

We do not complain that the unbelievers and even the undeserving are bestowed with the riches of the world. But the irony is, they are given all luxuries, wealth and women, whereas the Muslims get, mere the promises of enjoyment. The favors and graces are not being bestowed up on us anymore. Alas! Why the favors are absent like before. 

JAWAB E SHIKWA - 12

Kyā kahā bahr-e-musalmāñ hai faqat vāda-e-hūr

shikva bejā bhī kare koī to lāzim hai shu.ūr

adl hai fātir-e-hastī kā azal se dastūr

muslim aa.iiñ huā kāfir to mile huur o qusūr

tum meñ hūroñ kā koī chāhne vaalā hī nahīñ

jalva-e-tūr to maujūd hai muusā hī nahīñ

What did you say? The Muslims get mere the promise of gratification? Your objection lacks even the basic sense and reason. Our law is based on justice ab initio. When the ‘way of life’ of the believers has become oppression, tyranny and falsehood, how can they expect the bounties? None among you is a deserving and longing for our bounties. The Glory (effulgence) of Mount Sinai is present but Moses himself is absent.

(Prophet Moses had desired to see Allah, and Allah has shown a reflection of his glory on the Mount Sinai. A metaphor of Prophet Moses is drawn here, to tell that even today Allah can bestow his bounties to the deserving and desiring.)

SHIKWA - 13

Kyuuñ musalmānoñ meñ hai daulat-e-duniyā nāyāb

terī qudrat to hai vo jis kī na had hai na hisāb

tū jo chāhe to uThe sīna-e-sahrā se habāb

rah-rav-e-dasht ho sailī-zada-e-mauj-e-sarāb

tān-e-aġhyār hai rusvā.ī hai nādārī hai

kyā tire naam pe marne kā evaz ḳhvārī hai

Why that the wealth and prosperity is rare among Muslims now? Your resources and generosity does not have any limits and bounds. If you wish, streams can gush out from the centers of a barren lands. The paths of deserts could be flooded with waves of mirages. We have been facing sarcasm, disgrace and are engulfed in poverty. Is the reward for sacrificing our lives on your name is humility?

JAWAB E SHIKWA - 13

dam-e-taqrīr thī muslim kī sadāqat bebāk

adl us kā thā qavī laus-e-marā.āt se paak

shajar-e-fitrat-e-muslim thā hayā se namnāk

thā shujā.at meñ vo ik hasti-e-fauq-ul-idrāk

ḳhud-gudāzī nam-e-kaifiyat-e-sahbā-yash buud

ḳhālī-az-ḳhesh shudan sūrat-e-mīnā-yash buud

The speech of a Muslim had the strength of truth and was fearless. His justice was impeccable; it was not contaminated by any greed or undue benefits. The tree of his character was moist and fresh with modesty. His bravery was beyond comparison. As the alembic (a vessel containing wine), empties itself pouring the wine to the drinking men, for their pleasure, the earlier Muslims use to sacrifice themselves, for the benefit of others. 

SHIKWA - 14

Terī mahfil bhī ga.ī chāhne vaale bhī ga.e

shab kī aaheñ bhī ga.iiñ sub.h ke naale bhī ga.e

dil tujhe de bhī ga.e apnā sila le bhī ga.e

aa ke baiThe bhī na the aur nikāle bhī ga.e

aa.e ushshāq ga.e vāda-e-fardā le kar

ab unheñ DhūñD charāġh-e-ruḳh-e-zebā le kar

Thy assemblage (gathering) has disappeared now and your followers have perished. Those who spent nights in sincere worship, and those who got up during dawns for repentance, are gone. They gave their hearts to you, and took away the rewards as well. Hardly had they settled, after achieving the success, but soon were evacuated away as well. Your admirers had appeared and vanished soon with the promise of tomorrow (promise of life after death). Now search for them everywhere with your beautiful lamp. 

JAWAB E SHIKWA - 14

Shor hai ho ga.e duniyā se musalmāñ nābūd

ham ye kahte haiñ ki the bhī kahīñ muslim maujūd

vaz.a meñ tum ho nasārā to tamaddun meñ hunūd

ye musalmāñ haiñ jinheñ dekh ke sharmā.eñ yahūd

yuuñ to sayyad bhī ho mirzā bhī ho afġhān bhī ho

tum sabhī kuchh ho batāo to musalmān bhī ho

There is a hue and cry that the believers (Muslims) have vanished from the earth. But the point is, was there any believer remaining? In appearance you resemble a Christian, in culture a polytheist. Even the Jews are better than you in obedience. You identify yourselves as Syed, Mirza and Pathans; you are everything, but tell me are you even a Muslim?

(A true Muslim never identifies himself on the basis of cast, creed, race, status, wealth, sect, group, or school of thought. But he submits himself to the creator and follows his word in all spirit. Unfortunately today; we are divided into groups like Deobandi, Barelivi, Ahle-Hadeeth, Shia, Sunni etc. But the ground reality is that a substantial portion of the community does not even know the names of these sects and their beliefs. Further, out of those who know, again the majority are not aware of the core issues that form the basis of division. Yet we are sticking on to these irrelevant and many a time imaginary issues, and are divided. It’s high time we had put all our energies in understanding the Quran and implementing the teachings in our lives.)

SHIKWA - 15

Tujh ko chhoḌā ki rasūl-e-arabī ko chhoḌā

but-garī pesha kiyā but-shikanī ko chhoḌā

ishq ko ishq kī āshufta-sarī ko chhoḌā

rasm-e-salmān o uvais-e-qaranī ko chhoḌā

aag takbīr kī sīnoñ meñ dabī rakhte haiñ

zindagī misl-e-bilāl-e-habashī rakhte haiñ

Did we forsake you, or turned away from the teachings of Holy Prophet? Did indulge in idol making or quit the fight against it? Did we forsake your Love, or the affliction of love? Did we forsake the customs of SALMAN and OWAIS? We still have the flame of monotheism inside our hearts (though with a less glitter); our living still mirrors the style of BILAL the Negro!

The special mention of the three companions above needs a little elaboration. SALMAN FARSI (RA) was a Persian, in search of truth he travelled to Mecca from the far off Persia, and intellectually he passed through the stages of Judaism, Christianity and finally accepted Islam. OWAIS QARNI (RA) was another companion who accepted Islam during life time of prophet, but could not meet him personally as he had to take care of his old aged mother. His love for prophet was exemplary. BILAL (RA) was a Negro slave, who upon accepting Islam had faced the difficult tortures from his master, yet remained steadfast. By giving the examples of these three companions, Allama Iqbal is trying to say, that even today we did not leave the intellectual quest for the truth, even today we did not abandon the love of prophet, and even today we are facing similar difficulties as BILAL (RA).

JAWAB E SHIKWA - 15

Tum ho aapas meñ ġhazabnāk vo aapas meñ rahīm

tumḳhatā-kār o ḳhatā-bīñ vo ḳhatā-posh o karīm

chāhte sab haiñ ki hoñ auj-e-surayyā pe muqīm

pahle vaisā koī paidā to kare qalb-e-salīm

taḳht-e-faġhfūr bhī un kā thā sarīr-e-ka.e bhī

yuuñ hī bāteñ haiñ ki tum meñ vo hamiyat hai bhī

You are hostile among yourselves, and they were compassionate, you are the wrongdoers, critical of each other, scathing and they were tolerant and forgiving. First develop such virtues in you, then aspire for the highest positions. They reigned upon the Chinese throne, they wore the Persian crown: are you men of mere words or do you really possess any qualities and unity like them.

SHIKWA - 16

Chaak is bulbul-e-tanhā kī navā se dil hoñ

jāgne vaale isī bāñg-e-dirā se dil hoñ

yaanī phir zinda na.e ahd-e-vafā se dil hoñ

phir isī bāda-e-dairīna ke pyāse dil hoñ

ajamīḳhum hai to kyā mai to hijāzī hai mirī

naġhma hindī hai to kyā lai to hijāzī hai mirī

May hearts open up with the song of this lonely nightingale! May the sleeping hearts wake up with this clarion call! May the hearts come to life again with a new covenant! May the hearts be thirsty again for this same old wine! My alembic may not be Arabian, but my wine of course is. The song may be Indian but the tune is Arabian. 

JAWAB E SHIKWA - 16

Aql hai terī sipar ishq hai shamshīr tirī

mire darvesh ḳhilāfat hai jahāñgīr tirī

mā-sivā-allāh ke liye aag hai takbīr tirī

tū musalmāñ ho to taqdīr hai tadbīr tirī

kī mohammad se vafā tū ne to ham tere haiñ

ye jahāñ chiiz hai kyā lauh-o-qalam tere haiñ

Wisdom is the shield, and devotion your sword, O my Saint, your dominion shall encompass the entire world. Your call of pristine monotheism is a fire. If you become a true Muslim (Total submission to the creator), then success shall become your destiny. If you become truly loyal and declare allegiance to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), then we shall be pleased with you; the world and its success are nothing: you shall be rewarded with the success of  the life after.