NÿNAK

Introduction
Out of the many differences between Islam and Hinduism the two most important ones in the view of ‘All«mah  Iqb«l are (I) Tawéâd-i-Il«h (Unity of God) and (ii) Tawéâd-i-Ins«niyat (Unity of mankind). These two religions are diametrically opposed to each other in these two respects. In the ‘Allamah’s view the second emanates from the first and is more important. Hinduism is an amalgam of traditions and rituals, of devotional and philosophical systems, built over the past 4500 years, arising from the indigenous Dravidian cults and successive invasions from outside, especially those of Aryans (2000-1500 B.C.). The oldest existing religious book of Hindus is the Vedas (Ca. 500 B.C.). In the context of this poem the Hindu society is traditionally divided into four classes or castes. viz. (i) Brahman (priests) (ii) Khashtrya (noble warriors) (iii) Vaishya (merchants and farmers) and (iv) Shudra (workers). The last mentioned are also untouchables. This abominable system of dividing humanity into four separate and completely immiscible classes is against the teachings of Islam  (The Holy Qur’«n 49:13) and this forms the subject matter of this poem. Its evils are described in the poem. However, the ‘All«mah also pays tribute to two other religious reformers of the Indian sub-continent, viz. Gautam  Buddha and N«nak. The first protest against the caste system came from Siddharta Gautam Buddha (See Appendix I, No. 29). Buddha’s rejection of the caste system and declaration that all humanity is one is dealt with in this poem. The second reform came in the 16^th  century in the form of Sikhism founded by Guru N«nak (See Appendix I, No. 60). This religion was a movement for reformation of Hinduism under the strong influence of Islam. Renunciation of the caste system is among the strongest pillars of the Sikh religion (See the last two verses of the poem).

Translation
The nation did not care for the message of Gautam at all
The value of its own single pearl¹ it did not appreciate at all

Ah! The unfortunate nation remained unaware of the call of the Truth
The tree is unaware of the sweetness of its own fruit

He exhibited whatever the secret of life was
But India proud of its visionary philosophy was

The assembly which could be illuminated by Truth’s light was not this
The rain of mercy did come but the soil was not suitable!

Ah ! India is a place of sorrow for the Shudra
This habitation’s heart is unaware of human sympathy

The Brahman is still intoxicated with the wine of arrogance
Gautam’s candle is alight in the assembly of strangers²

However, the temple again became lighted after eons
The house of ÿzar became lighted with Ibrahâm’s light

                At last the call of Tawéâd  rose from the Punjab again!
                A perfect man roused India from its slumber again!

Explanatory Notes
1. In the Urdu and Persian literary works a belief is expressed that pearls are formed in the oyster shell by the spring rain drops. If the shell is contented with one drop only one pearl is formed. Such a pearl is larger in size and superior in brightness than those of the shells with many pearls.

2. Allusion to the fact that on account of the atrocities perpetrated by Hindus on the Buddhists in the Indian Sub-continent. Buddhism  all but disappeared from that region by about the commencement of the Christian era. However, the Buddhists migrated to the neighboring countries of Ceylon (present day Sri Lanka), Burma, Malaya, China and Japan, where it flourished and still exists.