THE ANSWER TO THE COMPLAINT
Stanza (1)
Par Nahin, Taaqat-e-Parwaaz Magar Rakhti Hai
When passion streaming from the heart turns human lips to lyres,
Some magic wings man’s music then, his song with soul inspires;
Khaak Se Uthti Hai, Gardoon Pe Guzar Rakhti Hai
Man’s words are sacred then, they soar, The ears of heaven they seek,
From dust those mortal accents rise, Immortals hear them speak;
Aasman Cheer Gaya Nala-e-Bebaak Mera
So wild and wayward was my Love, such tumult raised its sighs,
Before its daring swiftly fell the ramparts of the skies.
Stanza (2)
Bole Sayyaare, Sar-e-Arsh-e-Bareen Hai Koi!
The skies exclaimed in wonderment, “Some one is hiding here,”
The wheeling Planets paused to say, “Seek on the highest sphere.”
Kehkashaan Kehti Thi, Poshida Yahin Hai Koi!
The silver Moon said, “You are wrong, Some mortal it must be,”
The Milky Way too joined converse, “Here in our midst is he.’’
Mujhe Jannat Se Nikala Huwa Insan Samjha
Rizwan alone, my plaintive voice began to recognise,
He knew me for a human who had lost his Paradise.
Stanza (3)
Arsh Walon Pe Bhi Khulta Nahin Yeh Raaz Hai Kya!
And even the Angels could not tell what was that voice so strange,
Whose secret seemed to lie beyond Celestial wisdom’s range.
Aa Gyi Khak Ki Chutki Ko Bhi Parwaaz Hai Kya?
They said, “Can Man now roving come and reach these regions high?
That tiny speck of mortal clay, has it now learnt to fly?
Shokh-o-Gustakh Yeh Pasti Ke Makeen Kaise Hain!
How little do these beings of earth the laws of conduct know;
How coarse and insolent they are, these men who live below.
Stanza (4)
Tha Jo Masjood-e-Malaeek Yeh Wohi Aadam Hai?
So great their insolence indeed, they dare even God upbraid!
Is this the Man to whom their bow the Angels once had made?
Haan, Magar Ijz Ke Asrar Se Namehram Hai
Of Quality and Quantity He knows the secrets, true—
The ways of humbleness as well If he a little knew!
Baat Karne Ka Saliqa Nahin Nadanon Ko!
That they alone are blest with speech how proud these humans be,
Yet, ignorant, they lack the art to use it gracefully.”
Stanza (5)
Ashk-e-Betaab Se Labraiz Hai Paimana Tera
Then spake a Voice Compassionate: “Your tale enkindles pain,
Your cup is brimming full with tears which you could not contain
Kis Qadar Shokh Zuban Hai Dil-e-Diwana Tera
Even High Heaven itself is moved by these impassioned cries;
How wild the heart which taught your lips such savage melodies!
Hum Sukhan Kar Diya Bandon Ko Khuda Se Tu Ne
Its grace yet makes this song of yours a song of eulogy;
A bridge of converse you have formed ‘Twixt mortal man and Me!
Stanza (6)
Rah Dikhlaen Kise Rahraw-e-Manzil Hi Nahin
Behold, my hands arc full of gifts, but who comes seeking here?
And how shall I the right road shew when there’s no traveller?
Jis Se Taamir Ho Aadam Ki Yeh Woh Gil Hi Nahin
My loving care is there for all, If deserved but by few!
Not this the clay from which I can an Adam’s shape renew!
Dhoondne Walon Ko Dunya Bhi Nai Dete Hain!
On him who merits well I set the brightest diadem,
And those who truly questing come, a new world waits for them.
Stanza (7)
Ummati Baais-e-Ruswai-e-Paighamber (S.A.W) Hain
Apostate hearts and palsied hands Your earthly lives debase,
You all, to your great Prophet (PBUH), are Bringers of deep disgrace;
Tha Braheem Pidar, Aur Pisar Aazar Hain
Those idol‐breakers all have gone, You idolaters are,
Abraham was the father, you His sons, are but Azar;
Harm-e-Kaaba Naya, But Bhi Naye, Tum Bhi Naye
Now stranger bands carousal hold, Strange are both cup and wine,
A strange new Kaʹba you have reared, Strange idols oh its shrine!
Stanza (8)
Nazish-e-Mousam-e-Gul Lala-e-Sahrai Tha!
The tulip of the wilds once reigned the queen of blossom‐time:
In this once lay the quintessence of loveliness sublime.
Kabhi Mehboob Tumhara Yehi Harjai Tha
Once every true‐born Mussalman by Allah set his store,
This fickle‐hearted courtesan even you did once adore!
Millat-e-Ahmad (S.A.W.) Ko Maqami Kar Lo!
Go, seek some constant mistress now, to her a new bond sign,
Muhammad’s universal creed to narrow bounds confine!
Stanza (9)
Hum Se Kab Pyar Hai! Haan Neend Tumhain Pyari Hai
To pray to me at break of day You now an ordeal deem,
Your morning slumber sweeter far— Yet you would faithful seem!
Tumhi Keh Do, Yehi Aaeen-e-Wafadari Hai?
The hardships of the fast oppress your natures—now grown free;
Such are your ways and you still would protest your love for me!
Jazb-e-Baham Jo Nahin, Mehfil-e-Anjum Bhi Nahin
Unto a nation faith is life, You lost your faith and fell,
When gravitation fails, must cease concourse celestial.
Stanza (10)
Nahin Jis Qoum Ko Parwaye Nasheman, Tum Ho
You love your homes the least among the nations of the earth,
You are the most incompetent in knowledge and in worth;
Baich Khate Hain Jo Aslaaf Ke Madfan, Tum Ho
You are a barn where lightning stays, where ruin idle lies,
Ancestral coffins long entombed your only merchandise;
Kya Na Baicho Ge Jo Mil Jaen Sanam Pathar Ke
In turning graves to profit, you have proved yourselves adept;
Should idol‐trading offer gain of course you would accept.
Stanza (11)
Nau-e-Insan Ko Ghulami Se Chhuraya Kis Ne?
Whose striving, from this world of mine, Its falsehoods did efface?
Whose toil, from age‐old ignorance set free the human race?
Mere Quran Ko Seenon Se Lagaya Kis Ne?
And whose the brows whose worship filled My Kaʹba’s hallowed shrine?
Or whose the breasts which fondly held My ‘Glorious Book Divine’?
Hath Par Hath Dhare Muntazir-e-Farda Ho!
These were your great progenitors; You lack their brain and brawn;
You sit and wait in slothful ease for every morrow’s dawn.
Stanza (12)
Shikwa Be-Ja Bhi Kare Koi Tau Lazim Hai Shaoor!
And did you say, for Muslims I mere promises dispense?
Unjust laments at least should show some spark of commonsense.
Muslim Aaeen Huwa Kafir Tau Mile Hoor-o-Qasoor
Eternal is the Law of God and Justice is its name,
Should infidels like Muslims live the meed shall be the same.
Jalwa-e-Toor Tau Maujood Hai, Moosa Hi Nahin
Not a single one among you is longing for houris
The Effulgence of 'Tur' exists but there is no Moses
Stanza (13)
Ek Hi Sab Ka Nabi (S.A.W), Din Bhi, Iman Bhi Aik
Your nation’s weal, your nation’s woe, In common you all share,
Your Prophet (PBUH) and your creed the same, the same Truth you declare;
Kuch Bari Baat Thi Hote Jo Musalmaan Bhi Aik!
And one your Kaʹba, One your God, and one your great Quran;
Yet, still, divided each from each, Lives every Mussalman.
Kya Zamane Mein Panapne Ki Yehi Baatain Hain?
You split yourselves in countless sects, In classes high and low;
Think you the world its gifts will still on such as you bestow?
Stanza (14)
Maslihat Waqt Ki Hai Kis Ke Amal Ka Maayaar?
Who now forgetfully neglect My Rasool’s Law sublime?
And whose lives write them clearly down As servers of the time?
Ho Gyi Kis Ki Nigah Tarz-e-Salaf Se Baizar?
To whom now other customs seem far nobler than their own?
By whom your great forefathers’ ways once followed, are forsworn?
Kuch Bhi Paigham-e-Muhammad (S.A.W.) Ka Tumhain Paas Nahin
Your hearts are now of longing void, Your souls now know no zeal,
You heed no more that message great which Ahmad (PBUH) did reveal.
Stanza (15)
Zehmat-e-Roza Jo Karte Hain Gawara, Tau Ghareeb
If worship’s echoes ring in mosques, It is the poor who pray;
If any fasting’s hardship bear, It is the poor, today;
Pardah Rakhta Hai Agar Koi Tumhara, Tau Ghareeb
It is the humble and the poor who still my name esteem,
Theirs is the word, theirs is the deed, Yours the shame they redeem.
Zinda Hai Millat-e-Baiza Ghurba Ke Dam Se
The rich are drunk with wine of wealth, their God they hardly know,
It is because the poor yet live That wells of Faith still flow.
Stanza (16)
Barq Taba’ee Na Rahi, Shaola Maqali Na Rahi
That judgment ripe is no more theirs who play your preachers’ role,
Nor kindling accents from their lips, reveal the flaming soul.
Falsafa Reh Gya, Talqeen-e-Ghazali Na Rahi
Azan yet sounds, but never now Like Bilal’s, soulfully;
Philosophy, conviction-less, Now mourns its Ghazzali,
Masjidain Marsiya Khawan Hain Ke Namazi Na Rahe
Yani Woh Sahib-e-Ausaf-e-Hijazi Na Rahe
Untrod by praying feet, the mosques lament their emptiness,
For gone are those exemplars great of Arab godliness
Stanza (17)
Hum Ye Kehte Hain Ke The Bhi Kahin Muslim Maujood!
It is said: “ The Muslims quit this world, Their days are on the wane
The Muslims died out long ago; Such a lament is vain.
Yeh Musalman Hain! Jinhain Dekh Ke Sharmaen Yahood?
From Christians you have learnt your style, your culture from Hindus;
How can a race as Muslims pass who shame even the Jews?
Tum Sabhi Kuch Ho, Batao To Musalman Bhi Ho!
You are known as Syed, and Mughal, you call yourselves Pathan;
But can you truly claim as well the name of Mussalman?
Stanza (18)
Adal Uss Ka Tha Qawi, Loos-e-Mara’at Se Pak
The Muslim was sincere of speech, of fear his voice was free;
Just, staunch, he scorned the slightest breath of partiality.
Tha Shujaat Mein Woh Ek Hasti-e-Fouq-Ul-Idraak
In nature, like a tree, kept fresh by modesty most rare,
Yet braver than the bravest he, intrepid past compare.
Khali Az Khawaish Shudan Soorat-e-Meenayesh Bood
Like wine, upon the drinker’s lips, his joy, in losing, lay;
As the cup pours its liquor out, he poured his ‘self’ away.
Stanza (19)
Uss Ke Aaeena-e-Hasti Mein Amal Jouhar Tha
What the knife is to cankerous growths, to all untruth was he,
His actions, in life’s mirror shone like light, vibratingly.
Hai Tumhain Mout Ka Dar, Uss Ko Khuda Ka Dar Tha
If he was confident of aught, It was his right arm’s might,
He feared but God, while thoughts of death your craven souls affright.
Phir Pisar Qabil-e-Miraas-e-Pidar Kyunkar Ho!
When sons, lacking their fathers’ worth, are neither skilled nor sage,
With what deserving can they claim their fathers’ heritage?
Stanza (20)
Tum Musalman Ho? Ye Andaaz-e-Musalmani Hai?
he love of ease, like fumes of wine makes sots of you today,
How dare you pass as Mussalmans? That is not Islam’s way?
Tum Ko Aslaaf Se Kya Nisbat-e-Rohani Hai?
Nor Usman’s treasure‐chest you own, Nor Ali’s empty bowl,
With spirits of such great forbears, What kinship has your soul?
Aur Tum Khawar Huwe Taarik-e-Quran Ho Kar
The honoured of their times, they lived, For theirs was true iman,
You live disgraced, as having left the paths of Al‐Quran.
Stanza (21)
Tum Khatakaar-o-Khatabeen, Woh Khata Posh-o-Kareem
You roll the eye of mutual wrath, Their eye was ever kind;
You err, for errors look, while they were generously blind.
Pehle Waisa Koi Paida Tau Kare Qalb-e-Salim!
Aspiring for the Pleiades, How simple it all seems!
But let there first be hearts like theirs, To justify such dreams.
Yunhi Baatain Hain Ke Tum Mein Woh Hameeyyat Hai Bhi?
They reigned upon the Chinese throne, They wore the Persian crown:
Where is that honour that they knew—Words are your whole renown.
Stanza (22)
Tum Akhuwat Se Gurezan, Woh Akhuwat Pe Nisar
They fought for honour, self‐respect, Yours the self‐slayer’s knife,
You shun the ties of brotherhood, They cherished more than life.
Tum Taraste Ho Kali Ko, Woh Gulistan Bah Kinar
You can but weave the web of words, They did their deeds of might:
You pine after a bud: they basked In gardens flower‐bright.
Naqsh Hai Safah-e-Hasti Pe Sadaqat Un Ki
The world remembers still the tales which hymn their bravery,
And in their storied book of life shines their sincerity.
Stanza (23)
But-e-Hindi Ki Mohabbat Mein Barhman Bhi Huwe
Upon your nation’s sky you rose like stars of brilliant hue,
The lure of India’s idols made even Brahmans out of you;
Be-Amal The Hi Jawan, Deen-e-Se Badzan Bhi Huwe
Drawn by the wander‐lust, you went a‐roving ‘from your nests:
Slothful in good, your youth next learnt to doubt their faith’s behests;
La Ke Kaabe Se Sanamkhane Mein Abad Kiya
‘Enlightenment’ ensnared you all, and all your ‘fetters’ fell,
The land of Kaʹba you forsook, In idol‐land to dwell!
Stanza (24)
Shehr Ki Khaye Huwa, Bad Ye Pema Na Rahe!
If longing Qais roams no more, but seeks the town again,
Leaving the lonely desert wastes to share tile life 0f men,
Ye Zaroori Hai Hijab-e-Rukh-e-Laila Na Rahe!
Qais is mad: what if he dwells in town or wilderness?
Yet from him Layla must not veil her face in bashfulness!
Ishq Azad Hai, Kyun Husn Bhi Azad Na Ho!
Complain ye not of heart unkind nor speak of tyranny!
When Love no bondage knows, then why should Beauty not be free?
Stanza (25)
Ayman Is Se Koi Sehra No Koi Gulshan Hai
Each stack and barn it sets on fire, This lightning‐like New Age,
Nor bowling wild nor garden gay escapes its flaming rage;
Millat-e-Khatam-e-Rusal (S.A.W.) Shaola Ba Perahan Hai
This new fire feeds on fuel old,—The nations of the past,
And they too burn to whom was sent God’s Messenger, the last.
Aag Kar Sakti Hai Andaz-e-Gulistan Paida
But if the faith of Abraham there, once again, is born,
Where leaps this flame, flowers will bloom, and laugh its blaze to scorn.
Stanza (26)
Koukab-e-Ghuncha Se Shakhain Hain Chamakne Wali
Yet, let the gardener not be sad to see the garden’s plight,
For soon its branches will be gay with buds, like stars of light;
Gul Bar Andaaz Hai Khoon-e-Shuhada Ki Laali
The withered leaves and weeds will pass, and all its sweepings old;
For there, again, will martyr‐blood in roses red unfold.
Yeh Nikalte Huwe Suraj Ki Ufaq Taabi Hai
But look! a hint of russet hue, Brightening the eastern skies,
The glow on yon horizon’s brow, Heralds a new sunrise.
Stanza (27)
Aur Mehroom-e-Samar Bhi Hain, Khazan Didah Bhi Hain
In Life’s old garden nations lived who all its fruits enjoyed,
While others longed in vain, while some the winter blasts destroyed;
Saikron Batan-e-Chaman Mein Abhi Poshida Bhi Hain
Its trees are legion; some decay, While others flush with bloom,
And thousands still their birth await, Hid in the garden’s womb;
Phal Hai Ye Saikron Saalon Ki Chaman Bandi Ka
A symbol of luxuriance, The Tree of Islam reigns,
Its fruits achieved with centuries of garden‐tending pains.
Stanza (28)
Pak Hai Gard-e-Watan Se Sirr-e-Daman Tera
Tu Woh Yousaf Hai Ke Har Misr Hai Kinaan Tera
Your robe is free from dust of home, Not yours such narrow ties,
That Yousuf you, who Canaan sweet, In every Egypt lies;
Ghair Yak Bang-e-Dara Kuch Nahin Saman Tera
The qafila can ne’er disperse You holdest the starting bells9
Nothing else is needed, if your will Your onward march impels.
Aaqbat Soz Bawad Saya-e-Andesha-e-Tu
You candle‐tree! your wick‐like root, Its top with flame illumes,
Your thought is fire, its very breath all future care consumes.
Stanza (29)
Nasha-e-Mai Ko Ta’aluq Nahin Pemane Se
And you will suffer no surcease should Iran’s star decline,
It is not the vessel which decides the potency of wine;
Pasban Mil Gaye Kaabe Ko Sanam Khane Se
It is proved to all the world, from tales of Tartar conquerors,
The Kaʹba brave defenders found in temple‐worshippers.
Asr-e-Nau Raat Hai, Dhundla Sa Sitara Tu Hai
In you relies the bark of God, Adrift beyond the bar,
The new‐born age is dark as night, And you its dim pole‐star.
Stanza (30)
Ghafilon Ke Liye Pegham Hai Baidari Ka
The Bulgars march! the fiend of war in fearful fury breathes;
The message comes: “Sleepers, awake! The Balkan cauldron seethes.”
Imtihan Hai Tere Isaar Ka, Khud-Dari Ka
You deem this a cause of grief,Your heart is mortified;
But no, your pride, your sacrifice, Thus, once again, are tried.
Noor-e-Haq Bujh Na Sake Ga Nafs-e-Aada Se
Beneath your foes if chargers neigh? Why tremble you in fright?
For never, never, shall their breath extinguish Heaven’s light.
Stanza (31)
Hai Abhi Mehfil-e-Hasti Ko Zaroorat Teri
Not yet have other nations seen what you are truly worth,
The realm of Being has need of you for perfecting this earth.
Koukab-e-Qismat-e-Imkan Hai Khilafat Teri
If anything yet keeps world alive, ‘It is yours impetuous zeal,
And you will rise its ruling star, And you will shape its weal.
Noor-e-Touheed Ka Itmam Abhi Baqi Hai
This is no time for idle rest, Much yet remains undone;
The lamp of tawhid needs your touch to make it shame the sun!
Stanza (32)
Rakht Bar Dosh Hawaye Chamanistan Ho Ja
You are like fragrance in the bud, Diffuse yourself: be free.
Perfume the garden breeze, and fill the earth with scent of you..
Naghma-e-Mouj Se Hangama-e-Toofan Ho Ja!
From dusty speck, do you increase to trackless desert‐main.
From a faint breeze, a tempest grow, Become a hurricane!
Dehr Mein Ism-e-Muhammad (S.A.W.) Se Ujala Kar De
Raise you, through Love, all humble to greatness and to fame;
Enlighten you the groping world with dear Muhammad’s Name.
Stanza (33)
Chaman-e-Dehr Mein Kaliyon Ka Tabassum Bhi Na Ho
If this fair flower blossom not, The bulbul will not sing,
Nor rose‐buds make the garden smile welcoming in the spring;
Bazm-e-Touheed Bhi Dunya Mein Na Ho, Tum Bhi Na Ho
If he is not the saki, then nor jar nor wine will be,
Nor in this world will tawhid shine, Nor your heart beat in you;
Nabz-e-Hasti Tapish Aamadah Issi Naam Se Hai
Yonder ethereal skyey tent, This great name still sustains,
And dancing to its music, flows the blood in Life’s own veins.
Stanza (34)
Behr Mein, Mouj Ki Aghosh Mein, Toofan Mein Hai
It is in the forests and the hills, And on the tranquil plains,
On the seas, in the arms of waves, In roar of hurricanes;
Aur Poshida Musalman Ke Iman Mein Hai
A music heard in China’s towns, Morocco’s desert‐song,
And hid within each Muslim’s heart, It makes his faith grow strong.
Riffat-e-Shan-e-‘Rafaana La Ka Zikrak’ Dekhe
Let all the peoples of the world see till the end of time,
How I have made this glorious name beyond all thought sublime!
Stanza (35)
Woh Tumhare Shuhada Palne Wali Dunya
That pupil of the eye of Earth, Soil only dark men tread,
That region where have always been your martyrs born and bred,
Ishq Wale Jise Kehte Hain Bilali Dunya
That land upon the hot sun’s lap, That land of al‐hilal,
Which lovers fondly love to call The land of their Bilal,‐‐
Ghouta Zan Noor Mein Hai Aankh Ke Tare Ki Tarah
Is all a‐quiver with this Name, Like trembling mercury,
Like pupils dark, in pools of light, It swims perpetually!
Stanza (36)
Mere Darvaish! Khilafat Hai Jahangeer Teri
Your shield be wisdom, be your sword the flaming Love Divine,
My fond dervish! do you not know that all the world is yours?
Tu Musalman Ho To Taqdeer Hai Tadbeer Teri
All else but God is at your feet, If sounds your Takbeer great;
If you a Muslim truly are, Your effort is your fate.
Yeh Jahan Cheez Hai Kya, Loh-o-Qalam Tere Hain
To my Muhammad be but true, And you have conquered me;
The world is nothing you will command My Pen of Destiny.
