THESE SONGS OF TURTLE DOVES  AND NIGHTINGALES ARE MERELY EAR�S ILLUSION

Introduction
This ghazal  is very mystical and, as is usual with ghazals it deals with different subjects.

Translation
These songs of turtle doves  and nightingales are merely ear�s illusion
Behind this  uproar the world of the garden is silent¹

O Western wine the effect of your goblets is only this
That cup-bearer is laughing and the entire assembly is unconscious²

In the world�s sorrowful house you are not traceable
Was creation also a crime so Your nature is concealed³?

Ah! What the world considers heart is not heart
In the human breast this is a silent tumult⁴

Walk on the path of life but walk carefully
Understand that some glass work is on your shoulders ⁵

                Through whom Delhi and Lahore were drawn together
                Ah! Iqb�l that nightingale is silent now ⁶

Explanatory Notes
1,4. These two verses mean that the universe has no real existence and is only a figment of human imagination. This concept is based on Plato�s philosophy of idealism, according  to which the universe is only something in human thought and as such is only an idea and not a reality. This is also believed in a modified form of sufism according to which the real existence is that of God only and the universe is only a figment of human mind. The casual mention of this thought in this ghazal does not mean that �All�mah Iqb�l believed in Plato�s philosophy. It has been shown earlier that he was very much opposed to Plato and his philosophy, which distracts Man from deeds and engulfs him in mere thought. The second hemstitch of the verse  contradicts Plato�s  thought. For more details see Chapter 3 paragraph �Controversy of �Wa�dat al-Wuj�d and Wa�dat al-Shuh�d �.

2. This verse  metaphorically expresses the thought that Western  wisdom is only outwardly idealistic and has no reality in its  heart. The same thought has been expressed earlier in the fourth  part of Poem 144. (Khi�ar-i-R�h).

3. This verse is addressed to God which means that all human  Intellect is helpless in understanding His Nature.

5. This verse emphasizes the Islamic concept that Man should live a life of full involvement in the world but in such a manner that the world and its material benefits should be used for  Man�s betterment but should not become  part of Man�s ideal or purpose of his life. This delicate thought is presented in the second hemstitch.

6. This verse  refers to the famous Urdu poet Khwajah Al�f �usain ��l� for whom �All�mah Iqb�l had much respect. Also see Appendix I, No. 36 for ��l�.