English rendering* of the famous Urdu poem of Sir Mohammad Iqbal

English rendering* of the famous Urdu poem of Sir Mohammad Iqbal

The Message of Love (Payaam-e-Ishq)

The poet interprets what God expects from the individual

Sun aye talabgaar-e-dard-e-pahloo, main naaz hoon tuu niyaaz ho ja
Main ghaznavi somnaat-e-dil ka hoon tuu saraapa ayaaz ho ja

O seeker of a heart aching for God’s pleasure, He demands total compliance.
God stirs up your heart’s chambers.. Gird yourself for undiluted subservience.

Nahin hai waabasta zere gardoon kamaala shaan-e-sikandari se
Tamaam saamaa hai tere seeney mein tuu bhi aayeena saaz ho ja

Even for world’s greatest achievement you do not need Alexander’s eminence.
Your heart is already equipped fully…. Go ahead, manufacture your own mirror.

Gharaz hai paikaar-e-zindagi se kamaala paaye hilaal teraa
Jahaan ka farz-e-qadeem hai tuu adaa misaal-e-namaz ho ja

Meaning thereby, ….. through perseverance, you can prove your mettle.
You are the ancient obligation of the universe…. Offer yourself to the Lord.

Na ho qanaa’at sha’aar gulcheen, isee se qaayem hai shaan teri
Wafoor-e-gul ho agar chaman mein, to aur daaman daraaz ho ja

O gardener, your greatness lies in not feeling satisfied with limited achievement,
If there is abundance in the garden……. Leap forward to collect more flowers.

Gaya wo ayyaam ab zamaana naheen hai sahraa navardiyon ka
Jahaan mein maanind-e-sham’-e-sozaan, miyan-e-mahfil-gudaaz ho ja

Gone are the olden days….. its no longer the time to roam around the deserts
Behave like a burning candle….. Become the most active hub of activity.

Wujood afraad ka majaazi hai hastiy-e-qaum hai haqeeqi
Fidaa ho millat pe yaani atashzan-e-tilism-e-majaaz ho ja

Individual existence has limited value…. Community’s life is more important.
Fully dedicate yourself for the community.. Override the requirements of the self.

[*Note: This is not an exact translation, Rather, an effort has been made to broadly convey the sense – Dr. S. Zafar Mahmood]