TA¿M¥N ON A VERSE OF AN¥S¥ SHÿMLú

Introduction
See Appendix I, No. 71 for Anâsâ Sh«mlë. Though he was only an official in the Accounts Department of the Mughal Army in India during the times of Mirz« `Abd al-Rahâm Kh«n-i-Kh«n«n and Emperor Jal«l al-Dân Akbar (reigned 1560-1605) he was an eminent poet also. This is proved by his elegy written by Naïârâ Nish«përâ. The present poem is based on the opening verse of one of Sh«mlë’s ghazals. That verse appears as the last verse of this poem. This poem allegorically describes ‘All«mah Iqb«l’s  disappointment at the backsliding of Muslims and their failure to measure up to the standards of being the vice-gerents of God on earth. The climax is reached in the last verse.

Translation
I always remain roaming like the morning breeze
Roaming is more pleasant in Love than destination ¹

The restless heart reached the land of the Saint of Sanjar ²
Where the cure for the malady of impatience is available

The longing of my heart had not yet  reached the lips
The tongue was about to be obligated to the power of speech

A voice came from the tomb,  “The £aram’s inhabitants have
A complaint against you, O renouncer of ancestors’ ways!

O Qais ³! How has your  internal warmth cooled down?
Because Lailah ⁴ still has the same ways of her old self

The seed of  “L« Il«ha” ⁵  did not sprout in your barren soil
The sterility of your nature is universally disgraced

O imprudent one! Do you know what your life is?
It is the builder of synagogues, full of church music

Though your training has been in the House of God
Your rebellious heart is the lover of temple

                “You learnt fidelity from us but used it on others
                You snatched a pearl from us but sacrificed it on others”

Explanatory Notes
1. This concept is common in ‘All«mah Iqb«l’s works. Cf.

 (198) Though the caravan is enamored by the rest at the stage
            Greater than the stage’s comfort is the journey’s pleasure

(Appendix III, No. 29.)

2. this is another name of  Khawajah Mu`ân al-Dân Chishtâ R.A. for whom see Appendix I, No. 56 .

3,4. Qais or Majnën and Lailah- They are the hero and heroine respectively of the famous epic of love, known as “Lailah O Majnën” by Ily«s Ibn Yësuf Niï«mâ (d. 1209).

5. L« Il«ha- This is the abbreviation for “L« Il«ha Il All«h, Muéammad al-Rasël All«h”, which is the creed of Islam.