Allama Iqbal's Poem Translated by Brother Mastam
Woh Harf-e-Raaz Ke Mujh Ko Sikha Gya Hai Junoon
Khuda Mujhe Nafs-e-Jibraeel De To Kahon
The breath of Gabriel if God on me bestow,
I may in words express what Love has made me know
Sitara Kya Meri Taqdeer Ki Khabar Dey Ga
Woh Khud Farakhi-e-Aflaak Mein Hai Khwaar-o-Zaboon
How can the stars foretell what future holds in store?
They roam perplex’d and mean in skies that have no shore
Hayat Kya Hai, Khiyal-o-Nazar Ki Majzoobi
Khudi Ki Mout Hai Andesha Ha’ay Goonagoon
o fix one’s mind and gaze on goal is life, in fact:
To ego’s death to lead the thoughts that mind distract
Ajab Maza Hai, Mujhe Lazzat-e-Khudi De Kar
Woh Chahte Hain Ke Main Apne App Mein Na Rahon
How strange! The bliss of self having bestowed on me,
God mighty will that I beside myself should be
Zameer-e-Paak-o-Nigah-e-Buland-o-Masti-e-Shauq
Na Maal-o-Doulat-e-Qaroon, Na Fikar-e-Aflatoon
Clean conscience, lofty gaze and zeal is all I hold.
I neither like nor claim Plato’s thought or Croesus’ gold
Sabaq Mila Hai Ye Miraaj-E-Mustafa (SAW) Se Mujhe
Ke Alam-e-Bashriat Ki Zadd Mein Hai Gardoon
By Holy Prophet (SAW) Ascent this truth to me was taught,
Within the reach of man high heavens can be brought
Ye Kainat Abhi Na-Tamam Hai Shaid
Ke Aa Rahi Hai Damadam Sada’ay ‘Kun Fayakoon’
The Life perhaps is still raw and incomplete:
Be and it becomes e’er doth a voice repeat
Elaj Atish-E-Rumi Ke Soz Mein Hai Tera
Teri Khirad Pe Hai Ghalib Farangion Ka Fasoon
The West hath cast a spell on thine heart and mind:
In Rumi’s burning flame a cure for thyself find
Ussi Ke Faiz Se Meri Nigah Hai Roshan
Ussi Ke Faiz Se Mere Saboo Mein Hai Jehoon
Through his bounty great my vision shines and glows,
And mighty Oxus too in my pitcher flows
Woh Harf-e-Raaz Ke Mujh Ko Sikha Gya Hai Junoon
Khuda Mujhe Nafs-e-Jibraeel De To Kahon
The breath of Gabriel if God on me bestow,
I may in words express what Love has made me know
Sitara Kya Meri Taqdeer Ki Khabar Dey Ga
Woh Khud Farakhi-e-Aflaak Mein Hai Khwaar-o-Zaboon
How can the stars foretell what future holds in store?
They roam perplex’d and mean in skies that have no shore
Hayat Kya Hai, Khiyal-o-Nazar Ki Majzoobi
Khudi Ki Mout Hai Andesha Ha’ay Goonagoon
o fix one’s mind and gaze on goal is life, in fact:
To ego’s death to lead the thoughts that mind distract
Ajab Maza Hai, Mujhe Lazzat-e-Khudi De Kar
Woh Chahte Hain Ke Main Apne App Mein Na Rahon
How strange! The bliss of self having bestowed on me,
God mighty will that I beside myself should be
Zameer-e-Paak-o-Nigah-e-Buland-o-Masti-e-Shauq
Na Maal-o-Doulat-e-Qaroon, Na Fikar-e-Aflatoon
Clean conscience, lofty gaze and zeal is all I hold.
I neither like nor claim Plato’s thought or Croesus’ gold
Sabaq Mila Hai Ye Miraaj-E-Mustafa (SAW) Se Mujhe
Ke Alam-e-Bashriat Ki Zadd Mein Hai Gardoon
By Holy Prophet (SAW) Ascent this truth to me was taught,
Within the reach of man high heavens can be brought
Ye Kainat Abhi Na-Tamam Hai Shaid
Ke Aa Rahi Hai Damadam Sada’ay ‘Kun Fayakoon’
The Life perhaps is still raw and incomplete:
Be and it becomes e’er doth a voice repeat
Elaj Atish-E-Rumi Ke Soz Mein Hai Tera
Teri Khirad Pe Hai Ghalib Farangion Ka Fasoon
The West hath cast a spell on thine heart and mind:
In Rumi’s burning flame a cure for thyself find
Ussi Ke Faiz Se Meri Nigah Hai Roshan
Ussi Ke Faiz Se Mere Saboo Mein Hai Jehoon
Through his bounty great my vision shines and glows,
And mighty Oxus too in my pitcher flows