Allama Iqbal: Zauq-o-Shauq (Ecstasy)

  Muhammad Iqbal
Sir Muhammad Iqbal, also known as Allama Iqbal, was a philosopher, poet and politician in British India who is widely regarded as having inspired the Pakistan Movement.

(Bal-e-Jibril-132) Zauq-o-Shauq (Ecstasy)

Zauq-o-Shauq
(In Asha'ar Mein Se Aksar Palestine Mein Likhe Gaye)

Ecstasy
(Most of these verses were written in Palestine)

(1)

'Daraig Amdam Zaan Hama Bostan
Tahi Dast Raftan Suay Dostan'

—Saadi

I could not go to my friends empty handed
From an orchard!
—Saadi

(2)

Qalb-o-Nazar Ki Zindagi Dast Mein Subah Ka Saman
Chasma'ay Aftab Se Noor Ki Nadiyan Rawan

Life to passion and ecstasy—sunrise in the desert:
Luminous brooks are flowing from the fountain of the rising sun

(3)

Husn-e-Azal Ki Hai Namood, Chaak Hai Parda'ay Wajood
Dil Ke Liye Hazar Sood, Aik Nigah Ka Ziyan

The veil of being is torn, Eternal Beauty reveals itself:
The eye is dazzled but the soul is richly endowed.

(4)

Surkh-o-Kabood Badaliyan Chor (Chodh) Gaya Sihab-e-Shab
Koh-e-Idm Ko De Gaya Rand Barang Teelsiyan

The heavy night‐cloud has left behind it red and blue cloud-lets:
It has given a head‐dress of various hues to the Mount Idam to wear.

(5)

Gard Se Pak Hai Hawa, Barg-e-Nakheel Dhul Gaye
Raig-e-Nawah-e-Kazimah Naram Hai Misl-e-Parniyan

Air is clean of dust particles; leaves of datepalms have been washed;
The sand around Kazimah is soft like velvet.

(6)

Aag Bujhi Hui Idhar, Tooti Hui Tanab Udhar
Kya Khabar Iss Maqam Se Guzaray Hain Kitne Karwan

The remains of burnt‐out fire are observable here and a piece of tent‐rope there:
Who knows how many caravans have passed through this tract.

(7)

Ayi Sada'ay Jibreel, Tera Maqam Hai Yehi
Ahl-e-Faraak Ke Liye Ayesh-e-Dawam Hai Yehi

I heard the angel Gabriel saying to me: This indeed is your station—

For those acquainted with the pleasure of separation, this is the everlasting comfort.

(8)

Kis Se Kahon Ke Zehar Hai Mere Liye May'ay Hiyat
Kuhna HAi Bazm-e-Kainat, Taza Hain Mere Wardaat

To whom should I say that the wine of life is poison to me:
I have new experiences while the universe is decadent entire.

(9)

Kiya Nahin Aur Ghaznavi Kargah-e-Hiyat Mein
Baithe Hain Kab Se Muntazir Ahl-e-Harm Ke Soumanaat

Is there not another Ghaznavi in the factory of Life?—
The Somnaths of the People of the Harem have been awaiting a blow for long.

(10)

Zikr-e-Arab Ke Souz Mein, Fikr-e-Ajam Ke Saaz Mein
Nay Arabi Mushahidaat, Nay Arbi Takhayyulaat

The Arabian fervour and the Persian comfort
Have both lost the Arabian acuteness and the Persian imagination.

(11)

Kafla'ay Hijaz Mein Aik Hussain(R.A.) Bhi Nahin

Garcha Hai Tabdaar Abhi Gaisu'ay Dajla-o-Firat

The Caravan of Hijaz has not another Husain amongst it—

Although the tresses of the Tigris and the Euphrates are still as bright as ever.

(12)

Aqal-o-Dil-o-Nigah Ka Murshid-e-Awaleen Hai Ishq

Ishq Na Ho Tou Sharaa-o-Deen, Bott Khudda'ay Tasawwarat

Intellect, heart and vision, all must take their first lessons from Love—

Religion and the religious law breed idols of illusion if there is no Love.

(13)

Sidq-e-Khalil(A.S.) Bhi Hai Ishq, Sabr-e-Hussain(R.A.) Bhi Hai Ishq

Maarka'ay Wajood Mein Badar-o-Hunain Bhi Hai Ishq

The truthfulness of Abraham is but a form of Love, and so is the patience of Husain—

And so are Badr and Hunayn in the battle of existence.

(14)

Aaya'ay Kainat Ka Ma'ani-e-Deeryaab tu

Nikle Teri Talash Mein Kafla Ha'ay Rang-o-Bu

The universe is a verse of God and you are the meaning to be grasped at last;

Colour and scent are the caravans that set forth to seek you.

(15)

Jalwatiyan-e-Madrasah Kour Nigah-o-Murda Zauq

Khalwatiyan May Kuda Kam Talab-o-Tahi Kadu

The disciples in the schools are insipid and purblind;

The esoteric of the monastery have low aims with empty bowls;

(16)

Main Ke Meri Ghazal Mein Hain Aatish-e-Rafta Ka Suragh

Meri Tamam Sarguzhast, Khuay Huwon Ki Justajoo

I—whose ghazal reflects the flame that has been lost,

All my life I pined after the type of men that exists no more.

(17)

Baad-e-Saba Ki Mouj Se Nashonuma'ay Khar-o-Khs

Mere Nafs Ki Mouj Se Nashonuma'ay Arzoo

The zephyr nurtures thorn and straw,

While my breath nurtures passion in hearts;

(18)

Khoon-e-Dil-o-Jigar Se Hai Meri Nawa Ki Parwarish

Hai Rag-e-Saaz Mein Rawan Sahib-e-Saaz Ka Lahoo

My song thrives upon my lifeblood:

The strings of the instrument become alive with the blood of the musician.

(19)

'Fursat-e-Kashmakash Madah Ayen Dil-e-Beqarar Ra

Yak Do Shikan Ziada Kun Ghaisu'ay Tabdaar Ra'

Give not occasion for conturbation to this restless heart;

Bright are your tresses, brighten them even more.

(20)

Loh Bhi Tu Qalam Bhi Tu, Tera Wajood Al-Kitab

Gunbad-e-Abgina Rang tere Muheet Mein Habab

You are the Sacred Tablet, You are the Pen and the Book;

This blue‐colored dome is a bubble in the sea that you are.

(21)

Alim-e-Aab-o-Khak Mein Tere Zahoor Se Faroug

Zarra'ay Raig Ko Diya Tu Ne Tulu-e-Aftab

You are the lifeblood of the universe:

You bestowed the illumination of a sun upon the particles of desert dust.

(22)

Shoukat-e-Sanjar-o-Saleem Tere Jalal Ki Namood

Faqr-e-Junaid(R.A.)-o-Bayazeed(R.A.), Tera Jamal-e-Be-Naqab

The splendour of Sanjar and Selim: a mere hint of your majesty;

The faqr of Junaid and Bayazid: your beauty unveiled.

(23)

Shauq Tera Agar Na Ho Meri Namaz Ka Imam

Mera Qiyam Bhi Hijab, Mera Sajood Bhi Hijab

If my prayers are not led by my passion for you,

My ovation as well as my prostrations would be nothing but veils upon my soul.

(24)

Teri Nigah-e-Naaz Se Dono Murad Pa Gaye

Aqal Ghiyab-o-Justajoo, Ishq Huzoor-o-Iztarab

A meaningful glance from you redeemed both of them:

Reason—the seeker in separation; and Love—the restless one in Presence.

(25)

Teerah-o-Taar Hai Jahan Gardish-e-Aftab Se

Taba-e-Zamana Taza Kar Jalwa'ay Behijab Se

The world has become dark since the sun has set down;

Unveil your beauty to dawn upon this age.

(26)

Teri Nazar Mein Hain Tamam Mere Guzishta Roz-o-Shab

Mujh Ko Khabar Na Thi Ke Hai Ilm-e-Nakheel-e-Be-Rutab

You are a witness on my life so far:

I did not know that Knowledge is a tree that bears no fruit.

(27)

Taza Mere Zameer Mein Ma'arka'ay Kuhan Huwa

Ishq Tamam Mustafavi(S.A.W.), Aqal Tamam Bu-Lahab

The old battle was then revived in my conscience:

Love, all Mustafa; Reason, all Abu Lahab.

(28)

Gah Bahila Mee Burad, Gah Bazor Mee Kusah

Ishq Ki Ibtada Ajab, Ishq Ki Intaha Ajab

It persuaded me with art, it pulled me by force:

Strange is Love at the beginning, strange in its perfection!

(29)

Alim-e-Souz-o-Saaz Mein Wasal Se Barh Ke Hai Firaaq

Wasal Mein Marg-e-Arzoo, Hijar Mein Lazzat-e-Talab

Separation is greater than union in the state of ecstasy;

For union is death to desire while separation brings the pleasure of longing.

(30)

Ayen-e-Wisal Mein Mujhay Hosla'ay Nazar Na Tha

Gharcha Bahana Joo Rahi Meri Nigah-e-BeAdab

In the midst of the union I dared not cast a glance;

Though my audacious eye was looking for a pretence (pretend).

(31)

Garmi-e-Arzoo Firaaq, Shorish-e-Ha'ay-o-Hu Firaaq
Mouj Ki Justajoo Firaaq, Qatre Ki Abroo Firaaq !

Separation is the warmth of hot‐pursuit; it is at the heart of fond lamentation—
It is why the wave is in search; it is why the pearl is precious.