O ZEPHYR! CONVEY MY MESSAGE TO THE ONE WRAPPED IN BLANKET
Introduction
This
ghazal expresses ‘All«mah Iqb«l’s deep concern over the poor condition of
the Muslim Ummah in material as well as spiritual spheres. It starts with
a request to the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) for supplication to God and passes to
the message of activism for the Ummah.
Translation
O
zephyr! Convey my message to the one wrapped in blanket 1
The poor Ummah has lost both dân and material resources
The river bank gave this message to the restless wave
“Union with ocean is still far and you have already lost patience in the river”
O Qais2! Love’s honor is made durable with litter’s
curtain
If litter is lost, glory, honor as well as Lailah 3
is lost!
Though the drop got pearl’s dignity by abandoning struggle
It lost taste for wandering and struggle in the river
Though this voice has emerged from Iqb«l’s lips its source is
unknown
The assembly got hope’s message as well as became restless for
activism
Explanatory
Notes
1. The word in the original is “One
wrapped in a small blanket”. This is the title of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) as a
mark of affection and is based on such affection shown by no less an entity than
God in the opening verses of the Holy Qur’«n, Surahs 73 and 74.