WHATSHOULDTHENBEDONE, ONATIONSOFTHEEAST!

&

THETRAVELLER
WHATSHOULDTHENBE DONE, ONATIONSOFTHEEAST!
Tothereaderofthebook
IraiseanewarmyfromtheKingdomofLove; forthereisdangerofrevoltbytheintellect againsttheSanctuary. Theworlddoesnotknowtherealnatureof Madness: itisagarmentthatfitstheintellectperfectly. Donningthisgarment,Iattainedtoastation whereitwouldbehonourfortheintellect towalkaroundmyhouse(likeapilgrim). Dontthinkthattheintellectisexemptfrom thefinalreckoning: onelookfromthebelieverjudgesitasifon JudgmentDay. whoseheartiseffulgentwiththelightofthe Quran, whosemirrorismorerevealingthan Jamshidscup. ThatmusicianofPurebreedhas thrownmybeingintotumultonceagainwith hismusic. Saidhe:Thepeoplehavebecomeawareofthe secrets, theEasthasawokenfromitsdeepslumber; destinyhasgivenitnewaspirations, andlooseneditsageoldchains. Noone,OknowerofthesecretsoftheWest, hasexperiencedthefireoftheWestbetter thanthee. BeGodintoxicatedliketheFriendofGod, andhelpbringdowneveryidoltemple. Itisecstasythatimpartslifetopeoples, thoughtheundiscerningcallitmadness. Nopeopleundertheazuredomeofthesky haseverachievedanythingwithoutthis ingeniousmadness. Thebelieverisstrongthroughhiswillandhis tawakkul; ifhelacksthesetwo,heisanunbeliever. Hecandistinguishbetweengoodandevil; amerelookfromhimcanshakethewhole world;

Introduction
ThePirofRum,theclairvoyantmurshid, theleaderofthecaravanofloveandecstasy, whosestationisfarabovetheMoonandthe Sun, forwhosetenttheMilkyWayservesaspegs,

340CollectedPoeticalWorksofIqbal hisblowcancrushamountaintopieces; andhehasthousandsofresurrectionsathis command. Havingdrunkwinefrommytavern, youhaveremovedalloutmodednessfrom yourvision. Liveinthegardenlikesmell,bothhiddenand manifest, liveamongcolours,butbefreefromcolour. Yourageisnotawareofthesecretsofthe spirit: itscreedisnothingbutlovefortheother thanGod. Littlehasthephilosopherunderstoodthis point: histhoughtrevolvesonlyroundmatter. Hehasnotilluminedhiseyeswiththelantern oftheheart; henceheseesnothingbutblue,redand yellow. Fortunateishewhoneverbowedbeforeany man, andwhofreedhisfeetfromthechainsof servitudetotheotherthanGod. Whatitmeanstobealionisbeyondtheken ofcowsandbuffaloes; neverrevealyoursecretexcepttolions. Oneshouldnotdrinkwineinthecompanyof achurl, thoughhemaybekingofRumorRayy. ItisbetterthatourJosephbetakenawaybya wolf thanbeboughtbyanunworthyperson. Peopleoftheworldlackreasonand imagination: theyareweaversofmatandknownothing aboutsatin. WhatabeautifulverseaPersianpoethas sung, whichsetsthesoulafire: Totheearsofthepeopleoftheworld,the wailingofthelover islikethecryoftheazaninthelandofthe Franks. Revealonceagainthesignificanceofreligion andpolitics, tellthedevoteesoftheTruthwhatyou understandbythem. Suffergrief(patiently)anddonoteatthe breadofthosewhoaugmentgrief; awisemansuffersgriefwhileachildeats sweets. Tothemendicant,evenhispatchedup garmentisaburden. Likebreezeyoushouldcarrynothingexcept thesmellofroses. Areyouanocean?Thenbeconstantlyatwar withyourenvironment. Areyouadewdrop?Thendropyourself gentlyonarosepetal. TheDivinemysteryisnothiddenfromthe manofGod; doyouknowwhatisthetruenatureofa believerssoul? Itisadropofdewwhich,outofdesirefor selfmanifestation, unravelleditsownknotwithitsownhands, whichsatinthedepthofitsbeingbydintof selfhood, whichstartedonitsjourneyfromthestillness oftheheavens; whichdidnotturntowardsthelimitless expanseoftheocean, norhiditselfinanoyster; Itpalpitatedinthelapofthemorningfora moment andthendroppedintothemouthofthenew bornbud.

AddresstotheworldIlluminatingSun
OlordoftheEast,OshiningSun! thouilluminesttheheartofeverymoteof dust. ItisthroughtheethatBeinghasardourand exhilaration; itisthroughtheethateveryhiddenthing desirestomanifestitself. Thygoldencanoeinthesilverywaters movesbrighterthanthehandofMoses. ItisthyrayswhichgivelighttotheMoon,

WhatShouldThenBeDone&TheTraveller341 andprovidesustenancetotherubywithinthe heartofthestone. Theinnerburningofthetulip andthecoursingofbloodinitsveinsarethe resultofthybounty. Thenarcissustearsawayhundredsofveilsto catchaglimpseofthyray. Welcome,withtheecomesthemorningofour heartsdesire, thouhasttransformedeverytreeintothe BurningBushofMountSinai. ThouartthebeginningofthemorningwhileI am attheendofmydays;lightalampinmy heart; illuminemydarkearthfromheadtofoot; covermeupinthyilluminations thatImaybringthelightofthedaytothe nightoftheOrientsthought, brightenuptheheartofthefreemenofthe Orient, givematuritytotheinexperiencedthrough mysongs, andgiveanewturntotheeventsofthe world. ThusmaythethoughtoftheOrientfreeitself fromtheFranks Andgainlustrethroughmysongs. Lifecomesnotbutthroughdhikr (meditation); (true)independencecomesnotbutthrough purityofthought. Whenthethoughtofapeoplebecomes corrupt, thenintheirhandspuresilverturnsintobase metal. Thepureheartdiesintheirbreast, andtotheireyesthecrookedappearsstraight. Fromthebattlefieldoflifetheykeep themselvessafelyaway; forthemliferesidesonlyinthestationary. Seldomdowavesarisefromtheirocean; theirpearlsareasworthlessaspiecesofclay. Itisthereforenecessarythattheirthought should firstbepurified(ofalldross); Reconstructionofthoughtwouldthenbeeasy forthem.

ThewisdomofMoses
AstheprophetestablishesGodsdecrees, herepudiatesCaesarslaw. Inhiseyestheroyalpalaceislikeanoldidol temple; hissenseofhonourmakeshimdisobeythe orderoftheotherthanGod. Theimperfectbecomeperfectthrough associationwithhim. Hegivesanewtumulttotheage. HismessageisthatAllahissufficientandall elseismeaningless, sothatthemanoftruthdoesnotfallinto anybodyssnare. Hismoistureimpartsfiretothevinestwig andhisbreathgiveslifetothishandfulof earth. HeisthemeaningofGabrielandtheQuran, andheisthecustodianofGodsLaw. HiswisdomissuperiortoartfulReason, hisspiritgivesbirthtoapeople(ummah). Heisarulerdisinterestedinthroneand crown: sanscrown,sansarmy,sanstribute. Hislooktransformsautumnintospring, andthroughhimthedregsofeverypitcher becomestrongerthanthewine. Inhismorninglamentationlieslife, andtheuniverseisrenewedbythemorning ofhismanifestation. Theseaandtheeartharedevastatedbythe intensityofhisdeluge, andinhiseyesthereisamessageof revolution. Heteachesthelessonoftheyhavenofear; heputsaheartintothebreastofman. Heteachesmandetermination,submission (tothewillofGod)andwilling acquiescence; andmakeshimradiantintheworldlikea lamp. Idonotknowwhatmagichepractises, buthetotallytransformsthesoulinthebody. Inhissocietyapieceofclaybecomesapearl; andhiswisdomgivesabundancetothe deficient. Hesaystothedowntroddenslave:

342CollectedPoeticalWorksofIqbal Ariseandbreakintopieceseveryancient deity. OmanofGod,breakthespellofthisold world withthesewords:Godisthehighestofall. Ifyouwishtogainfaqr,dontcomplainof poverty; wellbeingdependsononesattitudeandnot onrankandwealth. Truthfulness,sincerity,submissiveness, ardourandsympathy theseareneededandnotgoldorsilver,nor redandyellowcoins. Olivingman,avoidthesekingsandnobles, walkaroundyourownselfandnotaround thepalaces. Thouhastfallenawayfromthytruestation, thouartbornofafalcon,donotfollowthe waysofvultures. Abirdinagardengrovebuildshisnesttohis ownliking. Thouwhohastaheaventraversing imagination shouldnotthinkthyselfinferiortoabird. Rebuildthesenineheavens andrefashionthisworldaccordingtothy owndesire. WhenhegetsannihilatedinGodswill, themanoffaithbecomesGoddecree. Thefourdimensionsalongwiththeblue heavens arebornoutofhispurebosom. AnnihilatethyselfinthewillofGodlikethy forefathers; bringoutthypearloutoftheoyster. Inthedarknessofthisworldofstoneand bricks, illuminethyeyeswiththelightofthynature. Unlessthoutakestthyshareofthemajestyof God, thoucanstnotenjoyDivineBeauty. Thebeginningofloveandecstasyismajesty (qahiri); theendofloveandecstasyisbeauty(dilbari). Themanoffaithisasymbolofperfect existence: healoneisreal;allelseismereappearance. IfhegainsardourandzealfromThereisno deity(butGod), theSunandMoonwillrevolveonlyathis bidding.

ThewisdomofthePharaohs
Ihaveunfoldedthewisdomofthepeopleof faith, nowlearnthewisdomofthepeopleofmalice. Thewisdomofthepeopleofmaliceisdeceit andartifice; whataredeceitandartifice?theydestroy thesoulandbuildthebody. Thisiswisdomthathasfreeditselffrom faithsbonds andhasstrayedfarawayfromthestationof Love. Theschoolfollowsinhis(Pharaohs)ways sothattheservantlearnstothinkinlinewith themastersdesires. Thereligiousleaderofthemillat,ina charmingway, reinterpretsreligiontohis(Pharaohs)liking. Theunityofthepeopleissunderedthrough hismachinations; nothingcanwithstandhimexceptMoses Staff. Woetoapeoplethat,preytoothers stratagems, destroythemselvesandbuildupothers. Theygainknowledgeofscienceandart, butremainunawareoftheirownselfidentity. TheyerasetheLordsimpressfromtheir signet, aspirationsariseintheirheartonlytodie away. Theyarenotblessedwithaprogenyimbued withasenseofhonour, theirchildrenhavesoulsintheirbodieslike corpsesingraves. Theiroldpeoplelackmodesty, theyoungarebusydeckingthemselvesout likewomenfolk. Thedesiresthatspringfromtheirheartsare unstable, theyareborndeadfromthewombsoftheir mothers.

WhatShouldThenBeDone&TheTraveller343 Theirdaughtersarecaughtinthesnaresof theircurlinglocks, boldeyed,fondofdisplayandcarping; welldressed,withexquisitemakeup, coquettish; theireyebrowsliketwounsheathedswords; theirwhitesilveryforearmspleasingtothe eyes; theirbosomsshowinglikefishinwater. Anationwhoseashesaredevoidofanylive spark, whosemornisdarkerthanitseve. Itisalwaysinsearchofmaterialgoods, itsonlypreoccupationisanxietyfor livelihoodandfearofdeath. Itsricharemiserly,pleasureloving, intentuponseekingtheshell,andneglectful ofthekernel. Themightofitsruleristheobjectofits adoration, inlossoffaithandbeliefliesitsgain. Itneverlooksbeyonditstoday andnevercreatesatomorrowforitself. Ithastheannalsofitsancestorsunderits arms, but,alas!itonlydiscoursesonthemwithout actingonthem. Itscreedistoofferloyaltytoothers, tobuildtempleswiththematerialofthe mosque. Alas!foranationwhichhascutitselfadrift fromGod, whichisdead,butdoesnotknowthatitis dead. Unlessthesecretofnegationisgrasped, thebondsoftheotherthanGodcannotbe broken. Thebeginningofeveryworkintheworldis withthewordofnegation: itisthefirststageofthemanofGod. Anationwhichburnsitselfinitsheatfora moment recreatesitselfoutofitsownashes. TosayNototheotherthanGodisLife: theuniverseiseverrenewedbyitstumult. Noteverypersonisaffectedbyitsmadness; noteveryhaystackisfittocatchitsfire. Whenthisecstasyaffectstheheartofaliving person, hemakessluggardssittingontheroadsideto moveonswiftly. Dostthouwishtheservanttofightthemaster (forhisrights)? ThensowtheseedofNoinhishandfulof dust. Whoeverhasthisburningardourinhisheart ismoreaweinspiringthantheDoomsday. Noisasuccessionofviolentblows; itistherumblingofthunder,notthepiping tuneofaflute; itsblowchangeseverybeingintononbeing, Sothatthoucomestoutofthewhirlpoolof Existence. IrelatetotheethehistoryoftheArabs thatthoumayestknowitsgoodandbad aspects. TheirstrokesbrokeLatandManatintopieces; confinedwithindimensions,theyyetlived freeofallbonds. Everyoldgarmentwastornoffbythem; ChosroesandCaesarsmettheirdoomattheir hands. Attimesdesertswereoverrunbytheir thundershowers; atothertimesseaswerechurnedbytheir storms. Thewholeworld,nomorethanastraw,was setafirebythem: itwasallamanifestationofNo. Theywereconstantlyastiruntiloutofthisold world

ThereisnodeityexceptGod
Itelltheeasignificantpointknownonlyto thepeopleofecstasy: fornations,negationexpressespower, affirmationexpressesbeauty. Negationandaffirmationtogethersignify controloftheuniverse: theyarethekeystothedoorsoftheuniverse. Botharethedestinyofthisworldof Becoming. Movementisbornoutofnegation, stationariness,outofaffirmation.

344CollectedPoeticalWorksofIqbal theybroughtforthanewoneintoexistence. Theinvitationtothetruth(thecalltoprayer) is theresultoftheirearlyrising; whateverexistsistheoutcomeoftheirsowing (ofseed). Thelampofthetulipthathasbeenlitup wasbroughtfromthebanksoftheirriver Theyerasedfromthetabletoftheirheartthe impressoftheotherthanGod; hundredsofnewworldsthereforecameinto beingattheirhands. Youwillsimilarlyseethatintheperiodof Westerndominance capitalandlabourhavecometoblows. AstheheartofRussiawassorelyafflicted,the word Nocameoutofthedepthsofherbeing. Shehasupsettheoldorder andappliedasharpscalpeltotheveinsofthe world. Ihavecloselyobservedherpositionwhichis: nokings,nochurch,nodeity. Herthoughthasremainedtiedtothewind stormofnegation, andhasnotmarchedtowardstheaffirmative but. Maybeadaywillcomewhenthroughforceof ecstasy Shemayextricateherselffromthiswhirlwind. LifedoesnotrestatthestationofNegation, theuniversemovesontowardsbut. Negationandaffirmationbotharenecessaryfor thenations: Negationwithoutaffirmationistheirdeath. HowcanKhalil(friend)beripeinlove unlessnegationguideshimtowards affirmation? Oyouwhoindulgeindebateinyourcloset, raisethecryofnegationbeforeaNimrod. Whatyouseearoundyouisnotworthtwo grainsofbarley, beacquaintedwiththemightofthereisno deity. Hewhohastheswordofnegationinhishands istherulerofalltheuniverse.

Faqr
Oslavesofmaterialthings,whatisfaqr? apenetratinginsightandalivingheart. Faqristositinjudgmentoveronesown work, andtoenveloponeselfroundthewordsthere isnodeity. FaqrisconqueringKhyberandlivingon barleymeal, kingsandnoblesaretiedtoitssaddlestraps. Faqrisardour,ecstasyandsubmissiontothe willofGod. ItbelongsreallytoMustafa;weareonlyits trustees. Faqrmakesanightlyassaultontheangelic hosts, andonthehiddenforcesofNature; ittransformsyouintoadifferentman, andturnsyoufromapieceofglasstoa diamond. Itswholeequipmentisderivedfromthe GreatQuran. adervishcannotbecontainedinablanket. Althoughhespeaksverylittleintheassembly ofpeople, yetthislittleenlivensahundredassemblies. Itgivestothewinglesstheambitiontofly, andthemajestyofafalcontoagnat. Whenafakirfallsoutwithkings, thethronetremblesbeforethematsmajesty. Hesetsthewholetownintumultthroughhis madness, andfreesthepeoplefromtyrannyand oppression. Hedoesnotsettlebutinplaces whereafalconrunsawayfrombeforeadove. Hisheartspowerflowsfromecstasyand sobriety. Hissloganbeforethekingisnokings. Itisthroughhisdustthatourfireglowsand burns, theflametremblesbeforethemeanest particlesofhisdust. Nonationsuffersdefeatinthebattleoflife aslongasithasasingledervish. Ourhonourisduetohislordlycontentment, ouryearningisduetohiscarefreezeal.

WhatShouldThenBeDone&TheTraveller345 Lookatyourselfinthismirror, thatGodmaybestowonyouclearauthority. Theessenceoffaithliesinthegraciousnessof faqr; themightoffaithflowsfromits highmindedness. TheKingoftheFaithsaidtotheMuslims: Thewholeearthismymosque. Seekprotectionfromtherevolutionofthe nineheavens, thattheMuslimsmosqueremainsinthe handsofothers. Thepersonofpurefaithtrieshard totakebackthemosqueofhisbelovedLord. Oyouwhotalkofrenunciationofthisworld, donttalkofit, renunciationofthisworldliesinconquering it. Tobeitsrideristofreeoneselffromits bondage: itistoriseabovethestatusofwaterundclay. ThisworldofwaterandclayistheMuslims quarry, wouldyouadviseafalcontogiveupitsprey? Iamunabletounderstand whyafalconshouldfleefromtheskies. Alas!forafalconthatdoesnotfollowits nature, thatrecoilsfrominflictingpainonlittlebirds, thatremainsconfinedtoitsnest,afflictedand depressed, anddoesnotwingtheazureexpanseofthe skies. TheQuranicfaqrisacriticalexaminationof Existence: itisnotmererebeckplaying,intoxication, dancingandsinging. Whatisabelieversfaqr?Itisconqueringof dimensions, theslaveacquiresattributesoftheLord throughit. Thefaqrofanunbelieverisflighttothe wilderness, thefaqrofabelievermakeslandandsea tremble; lifefortheformerissolitudeincavesand mountains, lifeforthelatterflowsfromagloriousdeath; theformerisseekingGodthrough renunciationofflesh, thelatteriswhettingoneskhudionthestone ofGod; theformeriskillingandburningoutofkhudi, thelatteristoilluminethekhudilikealamp. WhenfaqrbecomesnakedundertheSun, theSunandtheMoontremblethroughits fear. NakedfaqristhewarmthofBadrandHunain, itisthesoundofHusainstakbir. Whenfaqrlostitszestfornakedness, theMuslimslosttheirmight(jalal). Alas!forusandforthisancientworld! neitheryounorIpossesstheswordof negation. Oyoungman,freeyourheartoftheother thanGod, andbarterawaythisancientworld. Howlongcanyoulivecarelessoftheplight ofyourfaith? OMuslim,thiskindoflifeisasgoodasdeath. Themanoffaithrenewshimself; hedoesnotlookathimselfexceptinthelight ofGod; hemeasureshimselfbythestandardsetby Mustafa, andthussucceedsincreatinganewworld. Woetoanationthathasfallensolow thatitgivesbirthtokingsandlordsbutnotto asingledervish. Donotaskmetotellyouitsstory,forhow canIdescribewhatisindescribable? Tearschokemythroat; itisbetterifthiscommotionremainswithin theheart. TheMuslimofthislandhaslostallhopein himself, foralongtimehehasnotseenatruemanof God, hencehehasgrownscepticalaboutthe strengthofhisfaith, andhasstartedwaylayinghisowncaravan. ForthreecenturiestheUmmahhasbeen wretchedandhelpless,

346CollectedPoeticalWorksofIqbal itlivesonwithoutaninner(spiritual)fireand ecstasy. Lowlyinthought,meanofnature,vulgarin taste, itsteachersandreligiouspreceptorsare devoidoffervour; itslowthoughtshavemadeitwretched, andlackofunityhasmadeitsickofitself. Ashe(theMuslim)isnotawareofhistrue station, thezealforrevolutionhasdiedinhisheart. Forlackofcontactwithamanofknowledge, hehasbecome feebleanddejected,andincapableof acceptingtruth. Heisaslavewhohasbeenrejectedbyhis Lord, whohasgrownpoor,indigentandabsolutely careless. Hehasnowealthwhichmaybesnatched awaybyaking, norhasheany(spiritual)lightthatmaybe takenawaybyaSatan. Hisreligiousleaderisadiscipleofthe Frankishlord, thoughheboastsofthestationofBayazid. Hesays:Bondagegivessplendourtoreligion, andlifeconsistsinbeingdevoidofkhudi. Helookedupontheenemyspoliticalcontrol asamercy; dancedinadorationroundtheChurchand died. Oyouwhoaredevoidofspiritualzestand anguish, doyouknowwhatthisageofourshasdone tous? Thisagehasestrangedusfromourselves andcutusasunderfromthebeautyof Mustafa. SinceloveforMustafadepartedfromthe breast, themirrorlostitsnaturallustre. Youdidnotunderstandtherealcharacterof thisage, andhavelostthewagerintheveryfirst move. Sinceyourmindgotinvolvedinitsvortex, nolivedesireappearedinyourheart. Subjectyourselftoexaminationanddonot forgetyourself; beforgetfuloftheotherthanyourselffora while. Whydoyougiveintofear,doubtand melancholy? Realiseyourpositioninthiscountry. Thisgarden(country)hasmanytalltrees, thereforedonotmakeyournestonalow branch. Omanunawareofyourselfyouhaveasong inyourthroat, recogniseyourtruestockanddonotflywith crows. Giveyourselfthekeennessofasword, andthenhandyourselfovertoDestiny. Youhavewithinyouanirresistiblestorm, beforewhichaloftymountainisbutstraw. Thegrandeurofthestormliesinrestlessness; forittorestforamomentistodie. Iamneitheratheologiannorajuristwithan analyticalmind, noramIacquaintedwiththeintricaciesof faqr. Forallmykeeninsightintothewaysoffaith, Iamslowfooted; allmyworkisincompleteandwhattome appearsmatureisunripe, butGodhasgivenmeaheartfullofliving passion andthusenabledmetounraveloneknotout ofahundred. Takeyourshareofmyfireandardour, theremaynotcomeaftermeafakirlikeme.

Thefreeman
Thefreemanisstrongthroughrepetitionof Fearnot; inthebattlefieldwearehesitantwhileheis daring; thefreemanisclairvoyantthroughThereisno deity, hedoesnotfallintothesnareofkingsand lords; likethecamel,thefreemancarriesburdens: hecarriesburdensbutlivesonthornybushes.

WhatShouldThenBeDone&TheTraveller347 Hesetshisfootsofirmlyontheground thatthepulseofthepathwaybeginstothrob withhisardour; hissoulbecomesmoreeverlastingthrough death, hiscalloftakbirisbeyondwordsandsounds. Thedervishgetstributefromkings, whoregardsthestonesofthepathwayas mereglass. Thewarmthofyournatureisduetohisred wine; yourstreamiswateredbyhisriver. Kingsintheirsilkenrobes arepallidfromfearofthatnakedfakir. Theessenceoffaithforusisreport,forhimit isvision heiswithinthehousewhileweareoutside thedoor; wearefriendsoftheChurch,wesell mosques, hequaffscupsfromthehandsofMustafa himself; Heisnotindebtedtothewineseller,norhas hethecupinhishand; wehaveemptycups,whileheisintoxicated sinceeternity. Thefaceoftheroseisredthroughhisgrace, hissmokeisbrighterthanourfire. Hehasinhisbosomaclarioncalltonations, theirdestinyisinscribedonhisforehead. WeturninworshipsometimestotheChurch andsometimestothetemple, hedoesnotseekhissustenancefromothers hands; weareallslavesoftheFranks,heisHisslave, hecannotbecontainedinthisworldofcolour andsmell. Ourdaysandnightsarespentinanxietyfor livelihood; butwhatisourend?painsofdeath. Healonehasstabilityamidstthisworldof instability; deathforhimisoneofthestationsoflife. Thepeopleoftheheartfeelfrustratedinour company, butthegraceofhiscompanyputsaheart evenintodust. Ourlifeissubjecttodoubtsandmisgivings, heisallactivityandlittletalk; wearebeggarsroamingthestreetsand destitute, hisfaqrisequippedwiththeswordofThereis nodeity; Wearemerestrawcaughtinawhirlwind, hisstrokeonthemountainbringsoutsprings ofwater. Getacquaintedwithhimandavoidus, destroyyourpresenthouseandacquireanew one. Complainnotoftherevolvingsky reviveyourselfthroughassociatingwiththat livingperson. Associationisbetterthanknowledgeof books, companionshipoffreemeniscreativeofmen. Afreemanisadeepandshorelesssea, getyourwaterfromanoceanandnotfroma canal. Hisbreastisinfermentlikeaboilingkettle, forhimasolidmountainislikeaheapof sand. Inpeace,heistheornamentoftheassembly, likespringwindtothegarden; onthedayofbattle,he,theknowerofhis destiny, digshisowngravewithhisownsword; flyfromuslikeanarrow, andcatchholdofhisskirtwithafrenzy. Theseedoftheheartdoesnotdevelopoutof waterandclay, withoutthelookofthepeopleoftheheart. Inthisworldyoudonotcountmorethana pieceofstraw unlessyouattachyourselftotheskirtof somebody.

TheessenceoftheShariah
IhavelearntmanythingsfromtheMasterof Rum, especiallyhaveIburntmyselfin(thefireof) thesewordsofhis: IfyoucarrymoneyforthesakeoftheFaith, thatmoneyisablessing,saystheProphet. Ifyoudontkeepthispointinmind, youareaslaveandmoneyisyourlord.

348CollectedPoeticalWorksofIqbal Thewelfareofthenationsisinthehandsof thepoor, whiletherichmancausesdisruptiontothe nations. Inhiseyes,noveltyissomethingmean, hebuysonlyoldthings; whatiswrongheregardsasright andisafraidoftheupheavalsofrevolution. Thecapitalistusurpstheportionofthe labourer, androbsthehonourofhisdaughter. Thelabourerbewailsbeforehimlikeareed, withconstantcriesissuingfromhislips. Hiscuplackswine; hebuildspalacesbutishimselfahomeless wanderer. Praisebetotherichpersonwholiveslikea dervish andisGodorientedinanagelikeours. Unlesspeopleunderstandthesignificanceof alawfullyearnedfood, lifeofsocietybecomesmiserable. Alas!Europeisnotawareofthisprinciple, hereyesdonotseethroughGodslight; shedoesnotknowlawfulfromunlawful, herwisdomisimmatureandallheractivities defective Onenationpreysonanother, onesowstheseed,anothertakesawaythe harvest. Itiswisdomtosnatchfoodfromtheweak andtorobtheirbodyofthesoul. Thewayofthenewcultureistomurder people; andthiskillingisdoneunderthegarbof commerce. Thesebanks,theresultofcleverJews thinking, havetakenawayGodslightfromtheheartof man. Unlessthissystemisdestroyedcompletely, knowledge,religionandculturearemere emptynames. Inthisworldofgoodandevil,manseldom knows whatisprofitabletohimandwhatisharmful; nobodyknowstherightandwrongofanact, whichpathisstraightandwhichcrooked. TheShariahgrowsoutoflifesbosom; itslightilluminesthedarknessofthe universe. Iftheworldweretoacceptitsjudgment regardingwhatisforbidden, thissystemwouldendureforever. Itisnotforthejuriststoevaluateit,Oson, lookatitinanotherway; itslegalformulationsarebasedonjusticeand submissiontoDivineWill, itsrootslieinthebosomofMustafa. itisthroughseparation(fromGod)that desireswarmthehearts. WhenHemanifestsHimself,youwillcease toexist. Thisseparationisnodoubthardtobear, trynottoseekunionwithHim,rathersubmit toHiswill. MustafacommunicatedHiswilltous; theinjunctionsofreligionconsistofnothing else. ThethroneofJamshidishidunderthemat(of afakir), Faqrandpoliticalauthorityarebothstations of(submissiontoGods)Will; accepttheinjunctionsoftheShariahanddo notcomplain, thefieldofbattleisnottheplacetoargue why. Sofarasyoucanhelp,donotdisobeyitslaw, sothatnobodymaydisobeyyourorders. BeofthebestmakethroughtheShariah, andinheritorofAbrahamsfaith. Omanofloftyattributes,whatisTariqah? toseetheShariahintherecessesoflifes heart. Ifyouwishtoseetheessenceofreligion clearly, lookbutintothedepthofyourheart; ifyoudonotenjoyvision,yourfaithisonly compulsion; suchareligionisaveilbetweenyouandGod. IfmandoesnotseeGodfullymanifest, hecannotrisehigherthan(thepolarityof) freewillanddeterminism. Diveintoyourinnernatureforamoment,

WhatShouldThenBeDone&TheTraveller349 becomeamanoftruth,dontrelyonmere conjecture thatyoumayseetherightandwrongof things, andknowwhatsecretsliebehindthesenine veils. Hewhosharesintheexperiencesofthe Prophet getsclosetothefaithfulGabriel. Oyouwhoareproudofhavingthegreat Quran, howlongwillyousit(inactive)incell? Revealtotheworldtheessenceofreligion, andthesignificanceoftheclearShariah; noneneedbedependentonanother(forones primaryneeds), thisisthesumandsubstanceoftheclear Shariah; thejuristsandthetheologianshavespunlong tales; thefaithfulhavefailedtograspthispoint. Alivingnationmetitsdeathdueto misinterpretations, herheartlostfire(oflife). IhaveseenSufisofpureheart andtakengoodstockoftheteacherinschool, myageproducedaprophettoo, whocouldseeintheQurannothingbut himself; everyoneofthemisfullyconversantwiththe Quranandthetraditions; buttheyaretotallyunawareofthetrue significanceoftheShariah. Reasonandtraditionbothhavefallenpreyto lust, theirpulpitisacounterforthedisplayoftheir wares. Thereisnohopeofsalvationfromthese reformers. Whatistheuseofthesleevewhenitlacksthe WhiteHand? Theproblemsofthenationscannotbeset rightbyyou, Unlessyouprovebyactionthatyouarethe beareroftruth.

LamentontheDifferencesamongIndians
OHimalayas!OAttock!OGanges! howlongshallwegoonlivingsordidlylike this? Theoldlackinsight, theyoungaredevoidoflove; EastandWestarefree,butweareslavesof others; ourbricksgotothebuildingofothers mansions. Toliveaccordingtothewishofothers isnotdeepslumber;itiseternaldeath; thisisnotadeaththatcomesfromthesky; itsseedgrowsoutofthedepthsofonessoul. Itspreywaitsneitherfortheundertakernor forthegrave, norforfriendsfromfarandnear; noclothesaretorningriefoverhisdeath, hishellisnotontheothersideoftheskies. DonotseekhimamongthecrowdontheDay ofJudgment, histomorrowliesinhistoday. WhatuseistheretoproducebeforeGod onewhohasbothsowntheseedandreaped thefruitinthisworld? Anationthatdoesnotrelishtheproddingof desire iswipedoffthefaceoftheearthbyNature. Itisthroughmagicthatthecrownandthe throneacquireauthority; whatisfrailasglassbecomesthroughmagic hardasstone. Undertheinfluenceofthisclear enchantment, Muslimsabjuredtheirfaithandunbelievers, theirunbelief. TheIndiansquarrelwithoneanother havingrevivedtheirolddifferences, untilaFrankishnationfromthelandofthe West assumedtheroleofamediatorbetweenIslam andkufr. Nobodyknowswaterfrommirage, Revolution,Orevolution,Orevolution! Oyouwhoarealwaysanxiousformaterial sustenance, askofGodalivingheart;

350CollectedPoeticalWorksofIqbal althoughitsseatisinwaterandclay yetthenineheavensareunderitsauthority. Donotthinkitbelongstotheearth, itreallycomesfromthehighestheavens. TheworldisforittheFriendsabode andgetstheFriendssmellfromthetulips tunic. Itisconstantlyatwarwiththeworld, thestonesonthepatharebrokentopiecesby itsstrokes; itisfamiliarwiththepulpitandthegibbet, andkeepsastrictwatchoveritsownfire; itisonlyastreamletbuthasoceansinitslap, itsripplesbringtidingsofstorms; itisnotbybreadthatitlives, itdiesassoonasitlosesitsvisionofthe Truth; itislikealampinthedarkchamberofthe body: itilluminesbothmultitudeandsolitude. Suchaheart,everwatchfulofitselfandGod intoxicated, isnotachievedexceptthroughfaqr. Oyoungman,catchholdofitsskirtfirmly, youhavebeenborninslavery,nowlivefree. Ifyoudesire(real)freedom,donotgetcaught initscoils, remainthirstyratherthanpineformoisture fromitsvine. MayGodprotectyoufromitsspeechandits equivocalword! Theeyes(ofthepeople),throughits collyrium,becomemoreblind, andthehelplessarerenderedmorehelpless throughitssubterfuges; mayGodprotectusfromthewineofitscup, andfromitsgamesterstricks. Thefreemandoesnotneglecthisego; protectyourself,donottakeitsopiumpill. Speakthewordof(truthlike)Mosesbefore Pharaohs sothatyourstrokemaysplittheriverinto two. Myheartisgrievedatthedishonoursuffered bythecaravan, Idonotseethelightofsoulinitsleader; heisaworshipperofthebody,ambitiousof worldlyhonourandshortsighted: hisheartdevoidofthelightoflailah, hewasbornaMuslimbutisadiscipleofthe church, herentasundertheveilofourhonour; tocatchholdofhisskirtistheheightof foolishness, hisbreastisdevoidofashiningheart. Inthispathrelyonyourself,fornobody goeshuntingdeerwiththehelpofblinddogs. Alas!forthenationthatshutsitseyesfrom itself, givesitshearttotheotherthanGod,and breaksloosefromitself. Whenkhudidiedinthebreastofthemillat, themountainbecameastrawandwasblown awaybythewind. Althoughithaslailahinitsveryconstitution, yetitgavebirthtonotrueMuslim. Onewhogivesfaithtothefaithless, whoseselfprostrationmakestheearth tremble, whouttersthereisnogodattheriskofhislife, fromwhosebloodgrows(theflowerof)there isnogod;

Presentdaypolitics
Itstrengthensthechainsoftheslaves; theinexperiencedcallitfreedom. Whenitsawthepeoplesagitation, itdrewacurtainoverthefaceofimperialism. ItcharacterisedStateasmultinational, andthuscovereditstrickeryunderthisnave phrase. Onecanhardlymoveaboutfreelyinits environment, nodoorcanbeopenedbyitskeys. Itsaidtothebirdincage,Osorrowstricken bird, buildthynestinthehouseofthehunter; hewhobuildshisnestinmeadowsand gardens cannotbesecurefromfalconandhawk. Underitsspell,theselfdeludingbird, enamouredofgrain, chokeditswailingsinitsthroat.

WhatShouldThenBeDone&TheTraveller351 thatecstasy,thatardouroflonging,has disappeared, nolongeristheresuchamanofheartinthe sanctuary. OMuslim,inthisancienttavern, howlongwillyouremaininthesnaresof Satan? Ask(ofGod)Hisblessinginyourstrivingand delighttherein, nothingisattainedwithoutmidnight supplications. Howlongtoliveintheoceanlikeafloating straw? Becomehardlikeamountainthroughself control. Althoughthewisedonotrevealthestateof theirhearttoanybody, Icannothidefromyoumyheartsgrief. Beingaslaveandborninslavery, Ihavewanderedawayfromthethresholdof theKabah. WhenIrecitesalutationsinthenameof Mustafa, mywholebeingsuffersacutelythrough shame. Lovesays:Oslaveofothers, yourbreastislikeatemplefullofidols; solongasyoudonothavethecolourof Muhammad donotpollutehisnamebyyoursalutations. Donotaskmeaboutmyinattentivestanding inprayer andaboutmyprostrationlackinginecstasy. Godsmanifestation,althoughitmaylastbut foramoment, isenjoyedbyfreepeoplealone. Whenafreemanfallsdowninprostration beforeGod, theblueskyrevolvesroundhimecstatically; weslavesareunawareofhismight andofhisbeautyandgrace. Donotseektheecstasyoffaithinaslave, evenifhebeahafizoftheQuran. HeisaMuslimbutbehaveslikeanAzar, hisreligionandgnosisareallkufr(unbelief). Ifyouhavelifesardourinyourbody, youwillknowthattheascensionofaMuslim isinhisprayer. Ifyouhavenowarmbloodinyourbody, yourprostrationisbutconformitytoan ancientcustom; theIdofthefreepeopleisthegloryofState andreligion, theIdoftheslavesisbutacongregationof Muslims.

AfewwordstotheArabpeople
Mayyourlandprospertilleternity! whoraisedthecry:noCaesarsandChosroes? Inthisworldofnearandfar,fastandslow, whowasthefirsttoreadtheQuran? whowastaughtthesecretoflailah? wherewasthislamp(ofknowledge)lighted? Fromwhomdidtheworldgainknowledge? forwhomisthe(Quranic)verserevealed:You became? Itwasduetothebountyoftheonecalled Ummi thattulipsgrewoutofthesandydesertof Arabia. Freedom(asaconcept)developedunderhis care, thatis,thetodayofthepeoplesisfromhis yesterday; heputaheartintothebodyofAdam andremovedtheveilfromhisface, hebrokealltheancientgods; everyoldtwig,throughhisbreath,grewa flower. TheexcitementofthebattlesofBadrand Hunain, Hyder,Siddiq,FaruqandHusain, thegrandeurofthecalltoprayer, therecitationoftheQuranicSuratalSaffat,in thebattlefield, theswordofAyyubiandthelookofBayazid, thekeystothetreasuresofboththeworlds, reasonandheartintoxicatedwithonecupof wine, amixtureofdhikrandfikrofRumandRayy; knowledgeandscience,Shariahandreligion, administrationofState; everdissatisfiedheartswithinthebreast,

352CollectedPoeticalWorksofIqbal alHamraandtheTaj,ofworldconsuming beauty, thatwintributesfromthecelestialbeings allthesearemomentsofhistime, asinglelustreofhismanifoldmanifestations. Alltheseheartpleasingphenomenaarehis outwardaspects, hisinwardaspectisstillhiddenfromthe gnostics. LimitlesspraisebetotheHolyProphet, whogavetothishandfulofdusttruebeliefin God. 1 Godmadeyousharperthanthesword: Hemadethecameldrivertheriderof destiny. Yourtakbir,yourprayerandyourwar: onthesedependthefateofEastandWest. Howgoodthisdedicationandselfless devotion. Alas!forthisgrievousafflictionand melancholy! Thenationsoftheworldarepromotingtheir interests, youareunawareofthevalueofyourdesert; youwereasinglenation,youhavebecome nowseveralnations, youhavebrokenupyoursocietyyourself. Hewholoosenedhimselffromthebondsof khudi, andmergedhimselfinothers,metcertain death. Nobodyelseeverdidwhatyouhavedoneto yourself. ThesoulofMustafawasgrievedbyit. OyouwhoareunawareoftheFrankish magic, seethemischiefshiddeninhissleeves! Ifyouwishtoescapehisdeceits, turnawayhiscamelsfromyourponds. Hisdiplomacyhasweakenedeverynation andbrokentheunityoftheArabs. EversincetheArabsfellintoitssnares, notforonemomenthavetheyenjoyedpeace. Omanofinsight,lookatyourtimes,
Iqbalsnote[From]KhwajaAttarwithverbal alteration.
1

recreateinyourbodythesoulofUmar. Powerliesintheunityofthetruereligion,. religionisstrongwill,sincerityandfaith. AshisheartknowsthesecretsofNature, themanofthedesertisNaturesprotector. Heissimple,andhisnatureisthetouchstone ofrightandwrong, hisrisemeanssettingofahundredthousand stars. Leaveasidethesedeserts,mountainsand valleys, pitchyourtentinyourownbeing. Whettingyournatureonthedesertwind setyourdromedaryontothebattlefield. Themodernagewasbornoutofyour achievements; itsintoxicationistheresultofyourrosered wine. Youhavebeentheexpositorofitssecrets, andthefirstbuilderofitsedifice. SincetheWestadopteditasitsown, ithasgrownintoacoquette,withnosenseof honour. Althoughsheissweetandpleasant, yetsheiscrooked,saucyandirreligious. Omanofthedesert,makewhatisunripe mature andrefashiontheworldaccordingtoyour touchstone

WhatshouldthenbedoneONations 2 of theEast?
TheWesthasputmankindingrievouspain, and,throughit,lifehaslostallcharm. Whatshouldthenbedone,Opeopleofthe East? thatthelifeoftheEastmayonceagain brightenup. ArevolutionhasoccurredintheEastsheart, nighthaspassedaway,andthesunhasrisen. Europehasfallenpreytoitsownsword; ithaslaidthefoundationofsecularisminthe world; itisawolfinthegarbofalamb,
WehavechangedthetrasnlatorsPeopleofthe Easttothemorewellknowntitle.
2

WhatShouldThenBeDone&TheTraveller353 everymomentinambushforaprey. Thedifficultiesofmankindareduetoit, itisthesourceofallthehiddenanguishof man. Initseyesmanisnothingbutwaterandclay, andthecaravanofLifehasnogoal. Whateveryouseeisthemanifestationof Godslight; theknowledgeofthingsisapartofGods secrets. HewhoseesGodssignsisafreeman, thebasisofthiswisdomisGodsorder:Look. Throughitthebelieverismoresuccessfulin lifethanthenonbeliever andmoresympathetictowardsothers. Whenknowledgeillumineshismind, hisheartgrowsmoreandmoreGodoriented. Knowledgeofthingsislikeelixirtoourdust, alas!itseffectintheWestisdifferent. Its(theWests)reasonandthoughthaveno standardsofrightandwrong, itseyesknownotear,itsheartishardas stone. Knowledge,throughit,hasbecomeadisgrace forall, Gabriel,initssociety,hasbecomeIblis. ThewisdomoftheFranksisanunsheathed sword, everreadytodestroythehumanspecies. Inthisworldofgoodandevil,intoxicationof knowledge doesnotsuitmeannatures. MayGodprotectusfromtheWestandits ways, andfromitssecularthinking; theWesternershavechangedtrueknowledge intomagic, nay,ratherintounbelief. Ahundredmischiefshaveraisedtheirhead onallsides, snatchawaytheswordfromthehandsofthis highwayman. Oyouwhoknowthedistinctionbetween bodyandsoul, breakthespellofthisgodlesscivilisation. BreathethesouloftheEastintotheWests body, thatitmayaffordthekeytothedoorof Reality. Reasonunderheartsguidanceisgodlike; Whenitfreesitselffromtheheart,itbecomes Satanic. Ateverymomentlifeisastruggle, thesituationinAbyssiniaaffordsawarning; thelawofEurope,withoutanydoubt, allowswolvestokillsheep. Weshouldsetupaneworderintheworld, thereisnohopeofrelieffromthese plunderersofthedead. ThereisnothinginGenevaexceptdeceitand fraud: thissheepismyshare,thatisyours. TherearemanysubtleideasoftheWest whichcannotbeexpressedinwords, aworldofmischiefanddisorderslieshidden inthem. Oyouwhoareenamouredofcolour,rise abovecolour; havefaithinyourself,denytheFranks. Thestringsofgainandlossareinyourhands, thehonouroftheEastdependsonyou. Bringalltheancientnationstogether; raisetheflagofsincerityandrectitude. Thelifeofthevotariesoftruthdependsupon theirpossessingpower, andthepowerofeverynationdependsupon unity. Wisdomwithoutpowerisdeceitand enchantment, powerwithoutwisdomisignoranceand madness. Ardour,harmony,sympathyand compassionallcomefromAsia, boththewineandthecupareAsias. Wetaughtlovethewayofravishinghearts andtheartofcreatingman. Artaswellasreligioncamefromthelandof theEast whosesacreddustistheenvyoftheheavens. Werevealedtotheworldallthatlayhidden, thesunisfromusandweareofthesun. Everyoysterhasitspearlthroughourspring rains,

354CollectedPoeticalWorksofIqbal themajestyofeveryoceanisduetoour storms. Wehavediscernedoursoulsinthesongsof thenightingale andthebloodofAdamintheveinsof flowers. Ourthought,seekerofthesecretsof Existence, wasthefirsttostrikethenoteoflife Wehadinourbreastawoundofpassion, madebyusintoalamptoilluminethe pathwayoflife. Youarethetrusteeofreligionandculture, bringouttheWhiteHandfromunderyour sleeve. Riseandsolvetheproblemsofthenations, putoutofyourheadtheintoxicationofthe West. SetthepatternfortheunityofAsia, snatchyourselfawayfromthehandof Ahriman. YouknowtheWestanditsdeeds, howlongwillyouremaintiedtoitsstrings? Thewound,thelancetandtheneedleareall Wests, oursisthepoolofbloodandtheexpectation thatincisionwillbestitchedup. Youknowthatkingshipispowertorule, butpower,inourtimes,ismerecommerce. Theshopkeeperisapartnerinpolitical power, tradebringsinprofitandpoliticalpower bringsintribute. Ifarulerisalsoashopkeeper, youwillfindgoodonhistongue,butevilin hisheart. Ifyoucanassesshimproperly, youwillfindyourcoarseclothfinerthanhis silk. Passoffhisworkshopunmindfulof everything, donotbuyhisfurinwinter. Hisprincipleis:tokillwithoutstriking; deathlurksinthemovementofhismachines; donotexchangeyourmatforhisrugs andyourpawnforhisqueen; hispearlisblemished,hisrubyimpure, themuskofthismerchantisfromthenavelof adog. Sleepingonhisvelvetwillrobyouofyour eyes, anditsbeautywillrobyouofyourself. Youhavemadeamuddleofyouraffairs, donotbuildupyourprestigeonhisbasis; awisepersonwouldnotdrinkwinefromhis pitcher, andanyonewhodidwoulddropdeadinthe tavern; whilenegotiatingabusinessdeal,heisall smilesandsweetword, wearelikechildrenandheisasweetmeat seller. Hefullyknowstheheartandlookofthe buyer, OGod!isthiscommerceormagic? Thosedealersinmerchandisetakeawayall theprofit, webuyersareallblind. Ofreeman,sell,wearandeat onlythatwhichgrowsoutofyourownsoil. Thosepureofheart,whoareawareof themselves, havethemselvessewntheirsimplegarments. Oyouunawareofthedeedsofthepresent age, seetheskilfulnessofthepeopleofEurope. Theyweaveoutofyourwoolandsilk, andthenofferthemtoyouforsale. Youreyesaretakeninbytheirappearances; theircolourandglamourturnyourhead. Alasfortheriverwhosewavesdidnotfret, andwhichboughtitsownpearlsfromthe divers!

ToTheHolyProphet
On the night of 3 April 1936, while I was staying in Dar alIqbal, Bhopal I saw in a dream Sayyid Ahmad Khan (on whom be Godsmercy).Headvisedmetoplacebefore theHolyProphetthestateofmyhealth. Oyouwhoarehelperofhelplesspeoplelike us, freethisnationfromthefearofdeath. Youburntdownancientidols

WhatShouldThenBeDone&TheTraveller355 andrenewedtheolduniverse. Inthisworldwheremenandgeniiare engagedinmeditationanddevotion, youarethemorningprayerandthecallto prayer. Lailahistheessenceofardourandecstasy, itshedslightinthedarknightofdoubts. Wedidnotmakegodsofcowsandasses, nordidwebowourheadsbeforesoothsayers; wedidnotprostrateourselvesbeforeancient gods, nordidwewalkinadorationroundthe palacesofkingsandnobles; thisisalltheresultofyourbenevolence, ourthoughthasbeennourishedbyyour kindness. Ourremembranceofyouisthesourceof delightandrapture, andkeepsthenationjealousofitshonour eveninpoverty. Youarethegoalofeverywayfarer, theidealthateveryoneaspirestoattain. Weareadefunctmusicalinstrument whosechordsdonotrespondtotheplectrum anylonger. Ihavewanderedthroughlands,Araband nonArab, BuLahabiseverywhere,Mustafanowhere. ThesocalledenlightenedMuslim hasnolamptoilluminethedarknessofhis heart. Eveninhisyouthheissoftlikesilk, thedesiresinhisheartareshortlived. Heisaslave,sonofaslave,sonofaslave, whodarenotthinkoffreedom; theschoolhasdrainedhimoflovefor religion; allIcansayabouthimisthatheexistedat onetime; forgetfulofhimselfandenamouredofthe West, hebegsbreadofbarleyfromthehandsofthe Franks. Thishungrymanbarteredawayhissoulfora pieceofbread andcausedusgreatgriefthereby. Hepicksupgrainfromthegroundlike domesticbirds andisunawareoftheblueexpanseofspace. Theteacher,lackingintellectualequipment andinsight, didnotinformhimofhisrealstature. ThefireoftheFrankshasmeltedhim: thishellhastotallytransformedhim. Heisabelieverandyetunawareofthesecret ofDeath. Hisheartdoesnotbelieveinthetruththat NoneissupremeexceptAllah. Ashishearthasdiedinhisbreast, Hedoesnotthinkofanythingexceptfood andsleep. Foronepieceofbread,hebearsthestingof yesandno, foradaysmealhebegsfavoursfroma hundredpersons. HebuysfalsegodsfromtheFrank, thoughheisabeliever,hismindisanidol temple. Say:Getupatmyorderandquicken, reviveinhisheartthecry:AllahisHe, WeareallunderthespellofWesternculture, andaremartyrsatthealtaroftheFranks. Fromthatnationwhosecupisnowbroken, produceasinglemanwhoisGodintoxicated, sothattheMuslimshouldlearntoseehimself again andlookuponhimselfasthecreamofthewhole world. Orider,reininyourhorseforamoment; Icannoteasilyfindwordstoexpressmy mind. ShouldIgiveexpressiontomydesireornot? Loveisnotrestrainedbyetiquette; Lovesays:Ogrievedone,openyourlips; etiquettesays:Openyoureyesandkeepyour mouthshut. Thewholeuniverserevolvesroundyou. Ientreatalookofmercyfromyou. Youaremydhikrandfikr,myknowledgeand gnosis; youaremyboat,riverandstorm. Notevenalean,frailandweakdeer couldanybodytietomysaddlestrap. Myshelteristhesanctuaryofyourstreet: Iturntowardsyouwithahopefulheart.

356CollectedPoeticalWorksofIqbal NolongeramIabletonourishsonginthe breast andopenahundredbudswithasinglebreath. Mysonghasbrokeninmythroat; theflamenolongercomesoutofmybreast. Mywordshavelosttheirfervour andIhaveceasedtoenjoymymorning recitationoftheQuran. Howcouldsongsremainconfinedwithinmy breast songsthatcouldhardlybecontainedinthe mind. Theyneedalimitlessexpanse thewholebreadthofnineheavens. Ah!thepainthatafflictsmybodyandsoul, alookfromyoureyesismyremedy. Thesemedicinesnolongeragreewiththis weaksoulofmine: theirbittertasteandsmellareunbearable. Myconditioncannotbeimprovedbythese medicines: attheverysightofthemIcrylikeachild. Ideceivemyselfbysugarcoatingthem, thephysicianslaughatmeintheirsleeves. IseekrelieffromyouasdidBusairi 3 , andpraythatolddaysmaycomebackagain. Yourkindnesstosinnersisgreat: itisforgivinglikeamotherslove. Iambattlingagainsttheworshippersof darkness, replenishmylampwithoil. Yourexistencelendslustretotheworld, donotdenymysoulareflectionfromit. Youknowthatvalueofthebodyisduetosoul, andthevalueofthesoulisduetothereflectionof theBeloved! 4 IhavenohopefromotherthanGod, makeofmeeitheraswordorakey. Iamquickinunderstandingthesignificance ofreligion; theseedofaction,however,hasnever sproutedoutofmydust.
IqbalsnoteBusairi,theauthorofthefamous QasidahBurdah,apoeminpraiseoftheHoly Prophet.Itisrelatedthathispoemfound acceptanceandthepoetwasrelievedofparalysis. 4Iqbalsnote[theitalicisedversesarefrom]Rumi.
3

Sharpenmyaxeallthemore, forIhaveataskgreaterthanthatofFarhad. IamabelieverandIdonotdenymyself; testmeonthetouchstone,youwillnotfind mefalsemetal. Althoughthefieldofmylifehasremained barren, yetIpossessatinythingcalledheart. Ikeepithiddenfromtheeyeofthepeople, foritbearsthemarksofyourhorseshoof. Foraslavewhodoesnotseekmaterialmeans lifewithoutyouisasgoodasdeath. YoublessedaKurdwithfluencyintheArabic tongue, callyourslaveintoyourpresence aslavewhobearslikethetulipamarkonhis heart, whichhisfriendsareunawareof, aslavewhoweepslikeareed, hissoulalmostburntthroughconstantsongs. Iamlikeahalfburntpieceofwoodinthe desert, thecaravanhaspassedon,andIamstill burning. Inthisvastworld perhapsanothercaravanonedayappear. Mysoul,afflictedwithseparation,cries withinme: Omylament!Ahme!Ahme!

THETRAVELLER
BEINGANACCOUNTOFABRIEFVISITTO AFGHANISTAN OCTOBER1933

IntheNameofAllahAlmighty,theMost BeneficentandtheMostMerciful Nadir,theAfghanmonarch,meekinthespirit likeadervish, blessingsofGodonhisnoblesoul; affairsofthenationsoundbyhissagacity,

WhatShouldThenBeDone&TheTraveller357 hisswordprotectoroftheluminousFaith; likeAbuDharmeltinghimselfinprayer, hisblowinfightshatteringrocks. ThetimeofSiddiqwasrenewedbyhisgrace. thedaysofFarooqmadeafreshbyhisglory. BearerofanguishfortheFaithlikeatulip, inthenightoftheEasthispersonalamp; inhissighttheecstasyofinspiredmen, theessenceofhislifechargedwithfervour. Kingship,asword,anddervishhood,the innersight, boththesearepearlsfromtheseaoflaIlah! Faqrandkingshiparetwinincidencesofthe Prophet. thesearebuteffulgencesofhischarismatic self. Boththesepowersspringfromabelievers self, oneistheQayamandtheotherprostration. Faqrisallfeeling,pain,scaldsandaspiration; itsgloryliesinrollinginblood, Felicitationswithoutendtothefaqrofthis martyr. Obreeze,Otravellerwithhighspeed;my wingedHermes, blowsoftlyingoingroundhisgrave; theKingisasleep,layyourfeetsoftly, opentheknotofthebudevenmoregently. Ireceivedamessagefromhisgloriousself, whichinfusednewlifeinme.Itran: IwasburntsereO!byyourfierylay, howhappythenationwhichknowsyour intent. Ournationknowswellyourheartache, weknowfromwherethesenotesarise. Oyoulikelightninginthelapofour clouds, theEastaglowandbrightwithyourlight, Shineawhileonourmountains, grantonceagainthesameburningfever. Howlongwillyouremainboundin chains? YouareaMoses,taketothepathofSinai. Ipassedovergardensandvillas,plainsand terrains,barrenanddry, stoppingoverhillsandmountainslikethe breeze. Khayharisnotunfamiliarwithgodlymen; Itsbreastisfullofthousandstories. Ihaveseldomseenpathsmoreintricateand crisscross, thesightgetslostintheirwindingcourses. Seeknotgrassinitsbarrencrags, colourandscentarisenotfromitscore. Itisalandwhosepartridgeshavethetemper ofahawk; initsclimewhitefiercefalconswithsharp talons, theleopardstartstremblingbytheirfear. Butonaccountoflackofcentrality,itisina badplight. Lackingorder,itisimperfectandhalfbaked. Nomajestyoffalconsinitspeoplesflight, Whichislesseventhanthatofpheasants. Alas!thisnationwithouttheglowoflife! Itstimeisdevoidofhappenings; oneislyingprostrateandtheotherstanding up, itsconditionisjustlikeaprayerwithoutan imam. Itsflaskshatteredtopiecesbyitsownstone; Alas!thisparlousstateatodaywithoutthe morrow.

AddresstopeopleoftheFrontier
Oyouwhoarehiddentoyourownself, discoveryourself. IntheIslamicFaithconcealmentistaboo. KnowyouthesecretoftheProphetsDeen? Seeingonesselfexplicitlyisbeingrightroyal. WhatistheDeen?Findingoutyourselfs secrets. Lifeissheerdeathwithoutbeholdingyour self. ThatMuslimwhokeenshisself selectshimselfonlyoutofthewholeworld. Heknowstheverynatureoftheuniverse. Heistheswordyclept:ThereisnaughtExistent exceptGod. Bothspaceandhyperspacearefullofthis tumult; thenineskiesarestragglinginitsexpanse. Solongashisheartisasecretoutofthe secretsofGod,

358CollectedPoeticalWorksofIqbal alackifheseesnothisownself! ThevotaryofGodisheirtoprophets, heisnotcontainedintheworldofobjects. Inorderthatheshouldcreateanotherworld, heshattersthisold,weatherbeatenone. Alivepersonisfreefromfealtytoothersthan God, Thereisalamplightedinhimbytheego. Hisfootisfirminthesrifebetweengoodand bad; hisremembranceofGodisthescimitarand hiscontemplationtheshield. Hismorningisbyacallwhicharisesfromthe depthofhissoul,notbythelightofthe orientsun. Hisnatureissansdirectionsinthemidstof dimensions; hisisthesanctuaryroundwhichtheworld revolves; Aparticlefromhispathisthesun; theBookbearstestimonytohisloftystatus. Hisnaturefindsexpositionbythemillat makinghiseyebrighttherewith. Hiseyeislustrousbythiscorporatebody. BelostabitintheQuranandTraditions, Oignorantone!Thenplungeintoyourown covertself. Lostyouareintheworldbewilderedand confounded, Losingyourunityyouareblownintobits. ThemanacleofotherthanGodbindsyour feet. Alas,thismarkofbondageonyourforehead! Leaderofthepeople,beafraidofthisinner mischief; beafraidofthedeteriorationoftheAfghan spirit. Letmekindleyouwiththefireofgodlyfolk teachingyoubythepreceptofthemaster saintRumi. SeeklivelihoodfromtheLord,notthis andthat, seekstimulationfromHim,notfrom hemlockandwine. Seeknotmud,eatitnotandseekitnot; forthemireisfoulandalwayspaleinhue. Seektheheartsothatyoualwaysremain young, yourfacecrimsonwithrefulgencedivine. Beamanandmoveabouttheearthlikea steed, notlikeadeadcorpsecarriedonthe shoulders. Complainlittleoftheceruleansky, revolvenotroundanythingexceptyoursun. Becomeawareoftheloftystationofspiritual ardour. Ifameremote,becomethehunterofthesun andmoon. Takemeasureofthepresentworld andraisealoftyourvoicetherein. Thecoherenceofthisworldisbyunityalone, lifehereinmeansunityinthissubterranean world. Leaveoffthesescentsandhuesold, purgeyourselfofantiquatedaspirations. Allthisstuffisnotworthevenabarleygrain. Deviseanewliveaspiration,forlifehasits basetherein. Developyouridentitybythisaspiratinof yours. Theeye,earsandsensesareallsharpenedby it. Apinchofdustgivesrisetotulipsthereby. Hewhodoesnotsowtheseedofaspirationin hisheart becomesdowntroddenbyotherslikerocks andstones. Aspirationisthewherewithalofkingsand lords; itisthediscerningcupofamendicant. Itisthisturnswaterandclaythephysical selfintoahumanbeing. Itisthatwhichacquaintsuswithourselves. Whenasparkleapsupfromourbodysdust, itgrantsamotethevastexpanseofthesky. ThesonofAzar,Abraham,constructedthe Kabah, therebyconvertingtheearthtoalchemywith justaglance. Youtoobuildaselfinyourcorporealframe andconvertapinchofdustofyourselfinto alchemy.

WhatShouldThenBeDone&TheTraveller359

ThetravellerentersKabulandvisitsthe lateMartyrKing
ThecityofKabul,itsclimeresembling paradise; YougettheWaterofLifefromtheveinofits grapes, theeyeofpoetacquirescollyriumfromits precincts. Observeitsjesaminebedsinthedarknessof night: youwouldsayasifthedawnlollsonthe carpetofitsgrass. Thatcitywiththelovelyclimesinthat hallowedland, itsbreezeisbetterfarthanthatofSyriaand Rum. Itswatersoglitteringandearthradiant, thedeadearthspringsintolifewithits pleasantdraughts. Itsexcellencecannotfallintothegraspof wordsexpressions, sunsuponsunslappedinsleepinits mountains; itsinhabitantscomplacentandgenial, unwareoftheirmettlelikeasword. TheroyalpalacenamedDilkusha(Heart Ease),thedustonitsway islikealchemyforthosewhocometoit. Imetthekinginhisloftypalace apoorfakirinthepresenceofamonarch. Hiscourteousnatureopenedwidethepartals ofhearts, nothinginthewayofwaysandformalitiesof kings. Thishumbleoneinthepresenceofthatnoble king waslikeaninsignificantpersoninthecourtof Umarthegreatcaliph. Myheartmeltwiththewarmthofhishand, Ikissedhishandoutofhumility. Akingpleasantofspeechandplainlyclad, hardinstriving,mildofnatureandwarm hearted. Sincerityandfranknessapparentfromhis looks. BothFaithandrealmfirminhisperson.

Ofearthearthlybutpurerthanangels luminous; cognizantofbothmodestyandkingship. InhissighttheaffairsofbothEastandWest; hissagacityknowingtheirsecretsalike. Akingknowingsubtlematterswelllikea sage knowingthecausesofriseandfallofnations. Hesaid,withthefirethatyouhaveinmind, Iholdyouasdearasmyownson. Anyonewhobearsscentandhueoflove islikeHashimandMahmudinmyeyes. IpresentedacopyofthegloriousQuran tothisnobleMuslimasagift. Isaidthisisthewholeandsolesubstanceof menandGod; itcontainstheveryessenceoflifeinallits absoluteness. Thereinistheendpointofallbeginnings. Byvirtueofit,Hyderthrewopenthegateof Khyber. Theintensityofmywordsranintohisblood. andtearsupontearstrickledfromhiseyesin serriedtrain. Hesaid,I,Nadir,wasahelplessone, bewilderedbecauseofthesadplightofthe Faithandhomeland; hillsaridtractswereunawareofmy perturbation, ignorantofmyboundlesssorrows. Iraisedcrieswiththenoteofthenightingale mixingmytearswiththestreamaflowin spring. IhadnosolaceexceptthatoftheQuran; itspowersopenedalldoorstome. Thewordsofthatkingofhighlineage causedagainanupsurgeinme. Thecallofnoonprayeraroseawhile whichridsabelieverofalllimits. Theclimaxofardentloveisnothingbut intensefeeling, soIperformedtheprayerinhislead. Thesecretofthatstandingandprostrating cannotbetoldexcepttothosewhoareclose associates.

360CollectedPoeticalWorksofIqbal

Atthetomboftheheavenrestingemperor Babur
Come,fortheharpoftheWesthasfallenout oftune. Thereisnonoteinitschordsbutonlyawail. Timehasathousandtimesadornedoldidols; IhavenotswervedfromtheHarembecauseit hasafirmfoundation. ThebanneroftheOttomanshasrisenhigh again, IknownotwhathasbefallentheTimurids. Howhappythatyourbodyhasfoundrest here. Forthislandisfreefromthewitchcraftofthe West. KabulisathousandtimesbetterthanDelhi whichhasbeenthebrideofsomany bridegrooms. Ipreservethebloodytearsinmyeyes becauseIamapoorfakirandthisisGod givenwealth. AlthoughtheHighPriestoftheHaremkeeps recitinglailah, Whereistheglancesharperthanasteel blade?

VisitingGhaznaandofferingreverenceto thesageSanai
BythefavourofthemartyredKing, mymorningsandeveningswereaspleasant asthoseofEid. BardoftheEast,theIndianfakir, wasguestuntothatmonarchwithsaturnas throne. EversinceImovedfromtheroyalcity, travellingbecamelighterformethansojourn. Iopenedmybreasttothebreezebywhich tulipshadsprungupthepastyearinthe mountains. Alas!Ghazni,thehomeoflearningandart, thehuntinggroundoflionhuntersofyore, abeautifulbrideofMahmudsrealm, ofwhosehennadyedadornersonewasthe SageofTus. InitrestingineternalsleeptheGhaznavid sagetoo

bywhosevoicetheheartsofmengrew strong. Thatseeroftheunseen,manofhighstation bywhoseiterationRumispassionrosetoa climax. IexultedinthePresent,heexultedinthe Hidden, bothhavingtheirwheewithal fromzestforthesightofsights. HeraisedtheveilfromthefaceofFaith andmythoughtindicatedthedestinyofa believer. BothlearnttheirlessonfromQuranic Wisdom. HespeaksofGodwhileIspeakofgodlyfolk. Ifeltafireinthetombsatmosphere tosuchanextentthatIbecameapprizedofa cry. Isaidtohim,Oyouseerofthesecretsoflife, boththisworldandtheotherluminousto you, ourageisinfatuatedbymaterialthings symbolisedbywaterandclay, whichraisesproblemswithoutendforthose godly. Leaveasidewhatthebelieverssuffered atthehandsofWesternnations, therehassprungupsomuchmischiefinthe Haremeven. Sincethebelieverssightwasnotdisciplined bytheheart, theglamouroftheWestbewitchedhiseyes. Oyouseerofthehidden,leaderofthe knowingonce, bywhosebeneficencetherawnessoftheseers becamemature, whateveristherehiddenbehindtheveil,let meknow; maybethewaveoncepastshouldcomeback inthestream.

SanaisSpiritSpeaksfromHeaven
Icametoknowtheknowerofgoodandbad bycontinence, Ibecamealiveanddeepofsightby sublimation. Imeanthatausteritywhichknowstheway

WhatShouldThenBeDone&TheTraveller361 andbeholdsGodwiththelightoftheself. Itseekslailahwithinitself,utteringitbeneath thesword. Thinkoftheinsideandspinnotaroundyour bodylikewomen. Flingtheballonthegroundlikemen. Rulershipinthisworldofwaterandclay, isboughtbyonedropofbloodoftheheart. Believersunderthisazureskylive byardourandregaling. Knowyounotwherefromardourandecstasy arise? Thesearebutraysshotfromthesunofthe Prophet. Youarealivesolongasthereisspiritinyou. Itisthisthatsafeguardsyourfaith. Becomeawareofthesecretsofyourwater andclay andthenapplythealchemyoftheheartto bothcomprisingyourphysicalsystem. Theartisthefountainheadofallpowerbythe faith andfaithisamiracleofmiraclesofespiritde corps. Seeknotfaithinbooks,Oyouignorantone! Knowledgeandwisdomcomefrombooks butfaitharisesfromtheheart. BuAliSinaknowsonlymereelementsofthe body; heknowsnottheailmentsoftheheart. CastawaythesweetandbitterofBuAli, thecureoftheheartlieswiththemenof heart. TheProphetisanoceanwithsurgingwaves, ariseandenclosethisriverinyourchannel. Youhaveforyearstwinedarounditsshore, butnotseenthebuffetsofitslashingwaves. Flingyourselfintheriverforawhile sothatthedepartedspiritshouldcomeback tothebody. OMuslims,treadnotanypathsavethatof God anddespairnotofHisgeneralmercy. Leaveoffseclusionandseekmanifestation. sothattheearthshouldquakebyyour prostration. IsawrestlessNaturetheotherday, thatmovingspiritofallthathappens; hereyesrivetedonthegoodandbadofthe universe, thehiddenthingsunfoldedtohersight. Iaskedherwhatareyousearching? insearchofwhosewarpandwoof? Shesaid:BytheorderofthegraciousLord, IamfashioningoutanewAdamfromtheold earth. Sheexaminedapinchofdustinahundred ways, turningoverandoveragain,weighedand addedtoit. Atlastsheimpartedthehueandlustreofa tulip andcastlailahinitscore. Waittillyouseeanotherspringarise, moreiridescentthantheonebygone. Everytimeyourantagonistresortsto machinations sothatyoushouldnotcomebythis vegetatingseason. Ikeepmyeyesontheinsideoftherose branch, andhaveseenastirtherein. Wecannotpreventthetulipsfromblooming inthemeadows,vales,mountains. Amanofsensitivetypecanhear thenotethatisstillinthethroat.

AttheTombofSultanMahmud
Criesarisefrommyheartinspiteofall restraint, Alas!thatcitywehadinthetimespast. Thatcity,thosepalaces,streetsareallinruin, Thatglory,splendour,magnificenceamere talenow. Thecupola,circumambulatedbythelofty sky, thisisthegraveofSultanMahmud. Hewhosenameababewhenweanedof mothersmilk, firstpronouncedinthecradle. Aconsuminglightninghisunsparingsword; landsandclimesaquiveronhisonslaught. UndertheskyhisflagasignofGod, angelsrecitingtheQuranonhisgrave. Mynimblefancytookmeofffrommyself

362CollectedPoeticalWorksofIqbal sothatIdidnotremaininthisworldoflate andsoon. Thatsunaroseinmybreastbytheeffulgence ofwhich thehiddenbecamemanifest. Thesunonhighprostratesbeforewhose splendour; fromhisraysthepastrisesup. Iwasridofthisworldofeyesandears sothatIclearlysawthepastmorninglike today. ThecityofGhazna,aparadiseofcolourand hue, withstreamstoaflowtrillingoutsongs inthepalacesandcommonstreets. Itspalacesrangedrowuponrow, theskygrazingwithitscupolas. IsawthebardofTusintheroyalassembly andthearmyofMahmudinthebattlefield. Myspiritstrolledintheworldofsecrets tillafrenziedonewokemeup. Thatfervour,thatintensityandpoignancyof his, speakinglikeanaudaciousvoluptuary. Hesowedtheseedofatearinthat wilderness. HewashavingacolloquywithGod. SinceIwasnotunawareofthissecret, Iwasallafirewithhisvoicesheat. Isawmischiefinthisoldabode; therearemischiefstherewithinandwithout. DidthisworldcomeintoexistencewithYour device, orsomeotherdeitycreatedit? Itsinsideallpeacebuttheoutsideallstrife. Theheartsofsentientonesallshatteredto pieces. Thereisnotraceofsincerityandpurity! Brokenisthejar,andthesakinomore! Youreyeisonthetulipfacedonesofthe West; manisbereftoffreshnessbywhosesorcery? Bywhatdoesthisuniverseacquireorder? Oyouinfatuatedbythecharmofidols, thegodlymanwithluminousspirit, wasaloneYourvicegerentinthisworld. Heisboundfastintheloveofsilver,kithand kin. Shatterthisidolhouseifyoucan. ThisMuslimwhomdoesheworship?Theres nottheleasttumultinhissoul. Hisbreastwithoutfeelingandspiritwithout anyclamour. HeisanIsrafilwhosetrumpetisdumb. Hisheartisunstableandsoulpalsied; hisstuffisofnoworthinthisworld. Infirminthebattleoflife, bearingidolsinhissleeves. Liketheinfidelsheregardsdeathasmortal. Hisfireisoflittleworthlikedust. Raiseagainaflamefromhisinertclay, thatveryurgetosearchandsearchonce more. Granthimagainthatinnerverve, thatverymanifoldzestandzeal. MaketheEastfirmbyhisself, bringoutanewmornfromhiscellar; splittheRedSeawithhisstaff, letCaucasiaQuakewithhisglory.

Supplicationofafrenziedone
Thetulipforgettingjustrayofthesun, hassuchcurvetingwithinabranch! Whenthespringbringsitoutintheopen, ittellsittostayherefornotmorethana moment. Bothlifeanddeathfurnishgeartoeachother, Iknownotwhetheroneisbetterthanthe other. Lifeisaperpetualstrifebetweenthe unpleasantandpleasant. Todayshueandfreshnessspringfrom yesterdaysblood. Alackthismachinationofmornandeve, alack! OGod,thecontriverofbodyandsoul, thisfrenziedonehastosayawordtoYou.

SeeingtheProphetsgarbatQandhar
Qandhar,thatplaceofparadisiaccharm, Itsdusttheheartsdesireofmenofheart. Thesehues,scents,waters! Thesewatersglitteringlikemercury! Tulipsinthecoignofthemountains.

WhatShouldThenBeDone&TheTraveller363 firesfrozenwithinpomegranates. Itsstreetsthestreetsofthefriendforus, Ocameldriver,setthelitterforthebeautiful one. IsingagainofthematesofNajd andbringthedromedaryintoecstasywith mychant. Ghazal IcomefromthetempleofMagians intoxicatedwiththepassingofwine. Iwasinebriatewiththewineofillainthe stateofla. Iknowhiseyesperceivethecapacityofevery person, thesakihasmademeecstaticbyhis blandishmentandbeckoning. ItistimeIshouldagainopenthetavernof Rumi: IhaveseenthecustodianoftheHarem intoxicatedinthechurchyard. Itisnottheworkofaphilosopher,catchhold ofthehemofaMoses,whoconversedwith God. Ahundredpersonsenraptwiththeshoreand butonetipsywiththeriver. Itookmyhearttothegardenwhereitbecame numbwiththebreeze Itdiesinapark,thistulipstimulatedbythe desert! Fromhisdelightfulwords,thesecretsofthe Haremshineout: Isawaminiinfidelyesterdayintoxicatedin thevalleyofBatha. IsthisSinaiorFaran?OGod,whatisthis place? Eachparticleofmydustisaneyelostin beholdingthegarmentofthatIntersticethat cannotbecrossed. IbeholdinhissayingFormetwogarbs ContinenceandJihad; BothhisFaithandsystemexpositionsofthe whole; onhisforeheadinscribedthedestinyofall. Intellectmadehimknowerofsecrets, andloveamatchlesssword. Heisthedestinationofthecaravanofardour, wearebutapinchofdustandhetheheart thereof. Toseehisoutsideisourasra, andinhisinnerselfisourAqsa. FromhisgarmentIsensedhisperfume; hegaveustheshoutofAllahhu. Whatdidmyrecklesslovedotomyheart? Whatevertempestuouswinetotheflask. Itleaptinthebreastbecauseofwildrapture tillitrushedoutoftheeyes. Itsaid:IamGabrielandradiantlight; Ineversawhimlikethisbefore. ItrecitedlinesfromRumi,laughedandwept, OGod!whoisthissagegonewild? Ittalkedtomesovolublyinthesanctuary, talkingofwine,Magianpagesandwinecups. Iaskeditwhataudaciouswordsthesebe; closeyourlipsforthisisasolemnoccasion. Ihavenurturedyouwithmybloodandmade youfit forraisingamorningsigh. Noteagainthispointyouwhounderstand, theloveofdisciplinedloversisnaughtbut restraint. Itsaid:Reasonandrestraintareablightfor theheart, ecstasyandfrenzyareitsnature. Itraisedshoutsuponshoutstillitfellinto prostration; therewasonlytheflameofitsvoicebutitself nomore!

AttheMausoleumofAhmadShahBaba FounderoftheAfghanNation
Thegraveofthatenlightenedking fromwhoseselfanationarose; itsdomeisregardedasasanctuarybythe sky, likeFateh,conquererofConstantinople, thisstalwartfighterstruckcoinsintherealm ofpoetryeven; angelsinvokeblessingsonhisgrave. Bythemunificentheartandpearlscattering handhehad, heacquiredrealmsandgavethemaway

364CollectedPoeticalWorksofIqbal withouttakinganythought.Aconnoisseur,a seerandwielder ofthesword,hissoulfellintotalkwithme. Hesaid:Iknowwhereyoustand, yourhighstation;yoursongisalchemyfor denizensoftheearth. Stocksandstonesacquireaheartfromyour bounty, theSinaioftheheartisbrightwithyour speech. OyouknoweroftheFriendsstreet,cometo me, andstayawhile,foryouhearthesmellofthe beloved. Happyhewhomadetheselfhismirror andinthatrecognisedtheworld. Thisearthandtheskyhavegrownold, themoonhasbecomeblindbecauseofthe indifferenceofthesun. Thereisneedoftheheatofcommotionnow sothatthepristinehueandscentshouldcome back. AtruebelieveractslikeIsrafil whosetrumpetshatterseverythingold. OyouwhomGodhasgrantedarestless spirit, youknowthesecretsofrulershipandFaith, tell,OtellthesonofNadirpatently; disclosewhatisinyourmindtoZahir unreservedly. IknowwellthisrareswordisthatofNadir, whatshallIsay,itsnatureisevident. Ihavebroughtawordoflove,acceptitfrom me. learnfromafakirthesecretofkingship. Oyouwhosesightissharperthanthatofa falcon, lookattheGodgivenland. Whatweseeisbywhosedispensation? Whatisitthatoughttobebutisnot? Daysandnightsareareflectionofour endeavours; thesearethemirrorofourdestiny. Itellyou,Ostubbornyoungman, whatisthefuturebutachildoftoday theskyfolduponfoldrevolvesaroundhim? Heisthegloryoftheworldofhueandscent, thedaygoneby,todayandmorrow,allare his. AvotaryofGodisthesoulandsubstanceof dayandnight becauseheisthestargoverninghisdestiny. Adiscerningperson,chiefofthenation, noswordissharperthanhissight; weareallquarriesbutheisnot. Bythethoughtofthisseasonedone eventsquakeinthewomboftime. Accomplishedmenbefriendlikeyourfather, andthosewhohaveadeepinsight. Likethatdepartedonebewideawake, strivinghard,spiritedandintrepid. DoyouknowwhatismeantbyKarrar(knight veteran)? ItisoneofthehighstationsofAli. Fornationsinthisephemeralworld,lifeisnot possible withoutthisindispensablesterlingquality. LookattheannalsoftheOttomans wholappedatthebledhandsofthe Europeans. Sincetheypossessedmaterialspirit, theyflewtheirbannerintheworldonce more. WhydidtheMussulmansofIndialose ground? Theirmettlelackedthestimulusoffighting spirit.

AddresstotheKingofIslam, ZahirShah mayGodblesshimwithhelp

Oyouonwhomtherobeofkingshipfitswell, yourshadowislikealchemyforourdust. Yourselfastandardforrulership; yourmajestyafortressfortherealmand state. Throughyou,OthewherewithalofVictory, AhmadShahsthronehasacquirednew glory. Letthebreastswithoutyourlovebebarren; bereftofheartandaspiration. Thebrightswordyouwearroundyourwaist, evenmidnightturnsintomorningwithits sheen.

WhatShouldThenBeDone&TheTraveller365 Theirpinchofdustwaxedsocoldthatmy fierymuseborenoeffectonthem. ThespiritandthoughtofNadirareinyour blood. Sternnesswithgenialitypervadesyou. Oyouthelustreoftheeyesofyoungandold, learntheknackofhandlingthingsfrom HashimandMahmud, asalsofromthatmanwithwhomthevoiceof truth rangaloudinhillsandplainsWali. Wecanberestlessdayandnightandcreatea newage. ThereareahundredworldsstillintheQuran, burnyourselfalittleintheflamesofits verses. GiveagaintheAfghansanewfieryspirit, givetheirtimeaNewYearsday. Anationlostinhillsandcliffs. Ihaveobservedanewthinginitsforehead. Sincetherewasanintensefeelinginme, Godhasmademeawareofitsdestiny. Ihavecarefullyscanneditsaffairs andperceivedclearlywhatishidden. Amanoutinthefieldremainsalivewith Allahhu, underhisfeetliestheworldoffour directions. Apersonwhodoesnotbindhimselftoother thanGod, canbreakastonewithhisglass. Hecannotbecontainedinthislimitedworld ofwhatandhowmuch. Brandnotthisriverbycallingitabank. Whenthismasterlypersonremovestheveil fromhisface, heishimselfthereckoning,thereward,the chastisement. OurwholeandsoleistheBookandits wisdom; boththesepowersformthegloryofthemillat. TheBookspellsthevictoriesoftheworldof ardentinspiration, this,thewisdom,determinesthesuccessof thisworldofaboveandbelow. BotharethebountiesoftheeternalGod; forbelieversoneisallgraceandtheother majesty. TheknowledgeofthingsisnotEuropeanin origin, itsrootisthezestforinvention. Ifyouseewell,itowesitsexistencetothe Muslims, thispearlhasfallenfromourhands. WhentheArabsspreadtheirwingsinthe West, theylaidanewfoundationforlearningand knowledge. Theseedwassownbythesedwellersofthe desert, buttheharvestwasreapedbytheEuropeans. Thisfairysprangfromtheglassofour ancestors; winheragainbecauseshehailedfromour Caucasia. Butgetawayfromafaithlesscivilisation becauseitisatwarwithmenofGod. Thismischiefmongerbringsforthmischief, bringingbacktheidolsLatandUzzatothe Kabah. Byitssorcerytheeyeoftheheartismade blind; thespiritdiesofthirstforlackofwater. Ittakesawaythejoyofrestlessnessofthe heart, nay,theheartitselffromthebody! Anoldthief,itlootswithopenhands,the tulipwailswhereismydot? LetGodgrantyouthezestforthePresence ItellyouagainwhatIsaidinthePersian Psalms: 5 Livinganddying,Odiscerningone,are butarbitrarycategories; Adeafpersonisdeadinrespectofsound, knowingnotwhatitmeans. Heissenselesstosound. Ablindmangoesintoecstasyonhearinga harp, butheisasgoodasdeadbeforecolour. ThespiritisaliveandendureswithGod;
WehavechangedthetranslatorsZaburtothe expressionmorewellknowninEnglish.
5

366CollectedPoeticalWorksofIqbal otherwiseitisdeadforthisandlivingfor that. HewhoisLivingwithoutdeathisGod; tolivewithGodislifeabsolute. HewholiveswithoutGodisnothingbuta corpse, althoughnoonelamentshim. BenefitfromtheQuranifyouwanttoendure, IhaveseentheWaterofLifetherein. ItgivesthemessageofFearnot, andtakesustothisveryendpoint. Thepowerofthekingsandchiefsarisesfrom lailah; theaweoffakirarisesfromit. Solongaswehadtheswordoflaandilla, weleftnotraceofotherthanGod. TheEastisbrightwithmyflame; happyhewholivesinmyage. Haveyoursharefrommyflamingself, fornofakirlikemewillcomeforthafterme! IhavestrungthepearlsoftheQuran andexplainedthemeaningofDivineColour. IhaveimpartedafeelingintotheMuslims, providingmoisturetoanoldbranch. Mypassionhasthemarkoflife, theintellectacquireslustrefrommywine. WhohassaidmovingwordstotheMuslims? Icriedlikeafluteinhillsandplains untilmypositionbecamecleartome. Ilearntthewordofpassionandbecameafire, Ilightedagaintheextinguishedfire. Ihavebeengivenasighofthemorning. grantingthemightofamountaintoastraw. Ibearthelightoflailahinmybreast, mywineowesitsbracingeffecttoit. Mythoughtisskytraversingbyconferment, Mystreamisaversetothebankthereby. Thereforetakeoneortwocupsfrommy brew. sothatyoushouldshinelikeanunsheathed sword.