BILÿL

Introduction
This is the second poem in this book paying tribute to S. Bil«l Ibn Rab«é R.A. for whom see Appendix I, No. 17. The poem has a comparison of the feebleness of materialistic power represented by Sikandar (Alexander) and the strength of spiritual and moral power represented by S. Bil«l R.A. “Alexander” is shown to be Roman. Firstly, “Alexander” is a Greek name and no Roman emperor by this name is known. Secondly, reference to Porus and D«r« in the third verse shows that Alexander of Greece is meant. The word “Rëmâ” has been used because Alexander was also the ruler of Asia Minor, which was later a part of the Eastern or the Byzantine wing of the Roman Empire. Also, both Rome and Greece were formidable powers in ancient history of Europe. See Explanatory Notes.

Translation
A righteous Western writer has written
Who was highly respected among the literateur

“Asia was the marshaling place of Sikandar 1 of Rome
His status was More elegant than even the sky

History attests that in combat with the Romans
The claims of Porus2 and D«r«3 were vain

At this emperor with the myriad-man army
The blue sky was looking with amazement

                Today nobody knows him in Asia4
                Even the historian does not recognize him

But Bil«l, that humble person with Negroid origin
Whose nature had been brightened by the Prophethood’s Light

The call whose custodian the breast of Bil«l since eternity 5 became
Subservient to which call emperors as well as the indigent became!

Which brings amity between the black and the red
By which the poor and the rich are placed together

That heart-melting song is fresh till the present age
Which the old sky’s ear has been hearing for centuries”

                Iqb«l ! This general blessing is due to whose love?
                The Roman has perished, the Negro is immortal!


Explanatory Notes
1. Sikandar or Alexander “The Great”- See Appendix I, No. 6.

2. Porus - See the above reference..

3. D«r« See the Appendix I, No. 22..

4. Though Alexander is a hero to Europeans and the Western world he is remembered in Asia as a cruel and ravaging conqueror. ‘All«mah  Iqb«l himself has equated him with a pirate in his short poem titled “Aik Baéry Qazz«q Awr Sikandar” (A Pirate and Alexander). This poem is so succinct and explicit that the whole may be read and is cited below:

 

Alexander

 

(206)    Your reward is chains of imprisonment or my sword!

            As from your piracy is in distress the ocean’s world

 

The Pirate

(207)    Alexander! Alas! you think this is bravery!

            To you is it acceptable to tolerate disgrace of equals?

(208)    Your profession is butchery, my profession is butchery

            Both are piracies, yours on the land mine in the ocean!

(Appendix III, No. 32. p. 157)

5.Allusion to adh«n.