Introduction
This ghazal is very highly
mystical and difficult to understand . However , the explanatory notes will , hopefully ,
help in understanding it.
Translation
The one I was searching for on the
earth and in heaven
Appeared residing in the recesses of my own heart
When the reality of the self became evident to my eyes
The house appeared among residents of my own heart 1
If it were somewhat familiar with taste of rubbing foreheads
The stone of Kabahs threshold would have joined the foreheads2
O Majnun! Have you ever glanced at yourself
That like Lailah 3 you are also sitting in the litter
The months of the union continue flying like moments
But the moments of separation linger for months!
O seaman, how will you protect me from being drowned
As those destined to drowning get drowned in the boats also
The one who concealed His Beauty from Kal�m Allah
The same Beloved is manifest among beloveds 4
The breath of Lovers can light up the extinguished candle
O God! What is kept concealed in the breast of the Lovers? 5
Serve the faq�rs if you have the longing for Love
This pearl is not available in the treasures of kings
Do not ask of these Devotees, if you have faith, you should look at them
They have the illuminated palm up their sleeves6
The unsightful eye for whose spectacle is tantalized
That elegance of congregation is in these very recluses
Burn the produce of your heart with some such spark
That the Last Days sun may also be among your gleaners7
For Love search for some heart which would become mortified
This is the wine which is not kept in delicate wine glasses
The Beauty itself becomes the Lover of whose Beauty
O Heart! Does someone among the beautiful has that beauty?8
Someone became highly excited at your grace of M�arafn�
Your rank remained among the most elegant of all the Lovers9
Manifest Thyself and show them Thy Beauty some time
Talks have continued among the sagacious since long time
Silent, O Heart! Crying in the full assembly is not good
Decorum is the most important etiquette among the ways of Love
It is not possible for me to deem my critics bad
Because Iqb�l, I am myself among my critics
Explanatory
Notes
1. The word
"house" represents the abode of God and it really exists in the human heart of
His true Lover. The human heart is so represented in ta�awwuf literature.
2. The pleasure of earnest beseeching before God in prostration is so great that if the stone of the threshold of the Kabah was aware of that pleasure it would have preferred to be the forehead itself, and participate in such a prostration than be merely the stone towards which such prostrations are performed.
3. If the Lover realizes his own self, i.e. develops his own Khud� or self, the difference between the Lover and the Beloved would disappear. This amounts to the concept of Fan� Fi Allah of Wa�dat al-Wuj�d. This verse is one of the verses which indicate All�mah Iqb�ls inclination towards Wa�dat al-Wuj�d in early life.
4. God exists everywhere if His Lover has developed his insight enough to see Him.
5. The power of God is Supreme.
6. This and the following verse describe the unlimited power of the Lover of God.
7. The sun of the Last Day is proverbial for its torturing heat. However, the power of the true Love of God is such that even that sun will come down to collect flowers from the Lovers heap.
8. The universal Beauty of God itself becomes the Lover of a true Lover of God.
9. Allusion to the Holy Qur�n 5:83 (with slight change), the perusal of which will clarify the meaning of this verse.