BASED ON A VERSE OF Öÿ’IB
Introduction
For
Ö«’ib Tabrâzâ Isfah«nâ see Appendix I, No. 67. This poem is the expression of
‘All«mah Iqb«l’s extreme frustration with the Muslim society the world over,
and particularly in the Indian sub-continent. He has expressed his
disappointment in many poems in B«ng-i-Dar« as well as other books. One
of the important ones in this book is No. 103. Jaw«b-i-Shakwah (The
Response to the Complaint), which has appeared earlier. The poem ends on a verse
of Ö«ib and forms its climax.
Translation
O
Iqb«l! In what a place you have constructed your nest
In this garden song is the prelude to nightingale’s disgrace!
Though you are planting the sparks of the Valley of Aiman
Sprouting of seed of Sinai is not possible in this soil
The bud cannot be a flower even with the force of breath
Where everything is devoid of the exigency of self-development
Outrageous that the nature of garden’s denizens is asleep
Neither old age’s heart is awake nor the youth is courageous
When the intelligent hearts fall asleep in breasts
For the singer sweet music is changed to poison
Fly away from this garden if music’s restraint is impossible
As better than this assembly is the seclusion of some wilderness
“Manifestation of Lailah is much better in wilderness
City’s strait is unable to contain wilderness’ beauty”