Notes on Iqbal

Warning: This is not a scholarly blog on Iqbal. Rather, this is blog is for those who like me, may have heard of Iqbal but never really understood what all the fuss was about.

Knowledge of Urdu while helpful is not necessary.

My aim is to introduce Iqbal to you much the same way my mom introduced him to me in our kitchen before I started going to school.

She would recite poems from Iqbal while I she made breakfast for the family. She would then translate all the difficult words in easy Urdu. Then recite the poem again, thereby decoding Iqbal for a five year old.

I plan to do much the same, except I will attempt to provide you with English words, which I feel, are close enough to the original Urdu or Persian words. Please note, I am not claiming to translate the words or the verse. That I feel is a task for a linguist scholar, which I am not.

My goal is to convey the broad meaning of what I think Iqbal is saying. Through this blog, I hope to share with you the passion, the thought, and the beauty of Iqbal's poems and verses.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Murd-e-Musalman

Har Lehzaa hai Momin ke na-ee shan na-ee Aan
Guftar mein Kirdar mein Allah ke Burhaan

Kah-hari-O-Ghafari-O-Quddusee-O-Gibroot
Yeh Char Anasir Houn to bunta hey Musalman

Humsa-ya-eh Gibreel-eh-Ameen Bunda-eh-Khaki
Hai is ka Nashemun nah Bukhara nah Budukhshan

Yeh Raaz Kisee ko Nahin Maaloom kay Moomin
Qari Nazur aata hai Haqeeqat mei hai Quran


Meaning of selected words

Burhaan: Image, reflection
Kah-hari: Tough on enemies
Ghafari: Forgiving
Quddusi: Pure, free of fault
Gibroot: Powerful, great
Unasir: Ingredients
Qari: One who recites

Approximate Meaning

Majestic is Momin (true muslim) in every instance
For he is the Allah’s reflection in his words and deeds

Tough on enemy, forgiving, free of faults and powerful
These are the four ingredients that make a Muslim

Neighbor of Gabriel, yet made of earth
Not confined to a particular city, he may live anywhere

Here is the secret that no one knows…
Though, he appears to be reciting the Quran
In reality… he is the Quran
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