Recitation
خلیفہۃ فی الارض ۔ وحید اختر
یا خدائے ذوالجلال
خالقِ موجود و نا موجود ، ذاتِ لا یزال
عرش و کرسی ، سلسبیل و کوثر و لوح و قلم تیرا جمال
جِنّ و ناس ، ابلیس و جبریل و ملائک تیری قدرت کا کمال
جنتِ موعود و جلوہ ہائے نا مشہود كے پہلو رقص کرتا خاک کا ننھا سا ذرّہ یہ زمیں
تو نے اِس ذرّے کو دی ہے عرش و کرسی کی بلندی آسماں کی وسعتیں
تو نے آدم میں مجسّم کر دئے اپنے کمالات و صفات
اَز کراں تا بہ کراں پھیلی خلاؤں میں بنایا خاک كے پتلے کو تصویرِ حیات
دی اُسے تخلیق و آزادی پہ قدرت، روح کو اُس کی بنایا شعلہ عرفانِ نفس و کائنات
عدل و صدق و حق کا ہے میعار یہ محدود ذات
ایک ننھا سا شرارہ اور اس پر کُل خدائی کا ہے بار
اک وجود اور اُس کو حلقے میں لئے ہے ہر طرف سے ظلمتوں کابحرِ نا پیدا کنار
نور مبہم اور ظلمت آشکار
زندگی مجبور اور مرگ و عدَم با اختیار
یا امانت دارِتخلیق آدمی
یا عدَم ، ظلمات اور اندھی خلا
کون ہے نائب تیرا
میرے خدا ؟
غیر موجودات پر ہے مشتمل یہ کائنات
طمطراقِ نقرہ و زَر ، لعل و گوہر کا ثبات
تشنگی کا ریگزار ، آسودہ کامی کی فرات
خواہشوں كے دشت و سحرا ، آرزو کی کائنات
حسرتوں كے سرد لاشے، جستجو كے گرم ہات
جسم كے مصروف دن اور روح کی بے چین رات
درمیاں میں وقت کا کچھ فاصلہ رکھ لو تو سب نابود ہیں
شمع بجھ جائے تو یہ سارے مناظر حلقہ ہائے دوُد ہیں
ہست پر نابودحاکم
واقعی پر وہمِ ناموجود حاکم
آدمی یا آدمی کی شکل كے نابود و ناموجود حلقہ ہائے دوُد
کون ہے نائب تیرا
میرے خدا ؟
لا و لشکر ، طبل و اورنگ و علم ، نقّارے، حاجب، چوبدار
بم ، مزائیل ، آسْمانی لیب ، راکٹ اور خلائی شہسوار
قحط و سیلاب و وبا ، غصے سے شق ہوتی زمیں ، آتَش بہ سینہ کوہسار
خوردنی نا خوردنی اجناس كے مسروقہ گودام
ظلم و اِستحصال و ملکیت كے حافظ، شرع و دستور و قوانینِ تشدّد آشکار
قاتل اور سارق كے خانہ زاد ہیں نظم و نسق كے اختیار
مظہرِ شانِ خداوندی کی ہیں مجبوریاں نادیدنی، نا گفتنی
فاقہ و بیماری و اِفلاس كے روندے ہوئے انساں چھچھوری ہڈیوں كے واسطے
بھونکتے اک دوسرے پر ، نوچتے اک دوسرے کی بوٹیاں
محنت و ایمانداری ہے سگِ شہرِ ہوس
آدمی یا آدمی پر حکمراں قانون کا ظالم حصار
کون نائب ہے تیرا
میرے خدا ؟
ہر طرف آدمی ہیں بالشتیوں کی بستیاں
بانس کی ٹانگوں پہ چلتی قدِّ آدم پستیاں
بونے پن کی ہیں تلافی اوُنچی اوُنچی کُرسیاں
پہلوؤں میں زیوروں سے سونے چاندی کے لدے نامردمی کی داستاں
مسندِ کمخواب و دیبا پر سجی کلدار آنكھوں کی نچاتی پتلیاں
کھرکھراتے کاغذوں اور چمچماتی دھات كے رنگیں کھلونے كے لئے کِلکاریاں
شہر میں بالشتیوں كے سَر بہ زانو اور کمر سے ہیں خمیدہ آدمی
سَر اُٹھا کر گر کھڑا ہو جائے پورا آدمی
عدل کی مسند بچھا کر ، کمتری کی گرہ کو میزاں بنا کر
حکم دیں گے قتل کا بالشتئے
آدمی یا آدمی کی شکل كے بالشتئے
کون نائب ہے تیرا
میرے خدا ؟
یا خدائے ذوالجلال
جنّتِ موعود تیری بارشِ انوارِ رویت کا جمال
تیری اِس موجود دُنیا میں ہے نابودحکم
ظلم و اِستحصال کا قانون حاکم
آدمی پر آدمی كے شکل كے بالشتئے ہیں حکمراں
کیا تیری موعود جنّت میں بھی ہے نابود كے اندھے قوانین
اور انساں شکل بونوں کا مقام ؟
کیا ہمیں ہوگا وہاں بھی صرف اپنے خونِ دِل پر اختیار ؟
کیا وہاں بھی کَرنا ہوگا ، ہم کو ہر لمحہ سوال
کون نائب ہے تیرا
میرے خدا ؟
ख़लीफ़तुन फ़िल अर्ज़ – वहीद अख़्तर
या ख़ुदा-ए ज़ुल-जलाल
ख़ालिक़-ए मौजूद ओ ना-मौजूद, ज़ात-ए ला-इज़ाल
अर्श ओ कुर्सी, सल्साबील ओ कौसर ओ लौह ओ क़लम तेरा जमाल
जिन्न ओ नस, इब्लीस ओ जिबरील ओ मलाएक तेरी क़ुद्रत का कमाल
जन्नत-ए मौऊद ओ जलवा-हा-ए ना-मशहूद के पहलू रक़स करता ख़ाक का नन्हा सा ज़र्रा ये ज़मीं
तू ने इस ज़र्रे को दी है अर्श ओ कुर्सी की बुलंदी आसमां की वुस’अतें
तू ने आदम में मुजस्सम कर दिए अपने कमालात ओ सिफ़ात
अज़ करां ता ब करां फेली ख़लाओं में बनाया ख़ाक के पुतले को तस्वीर-ए हयात
दी उसे तख़लीक़ ओ आज़ादी पे क़ुद्रत रूह को उसकी बनाया शो’ला-ए इरफ़ान-ए नफ़्स ओ काएनात
अद्ल ओ सिद्क़ ओ हक़ का है मे’यार ये महदूद ज़ात
एक नन्हा सा शरारा और उस पर कुल ख़ुदाई का है बार
एक वजूद और उसको हल्क़े में लिए है हर तरफ़ से ज़ुल्मतों का बहर-ए ना-पैदा किनार
नूर मुबहम और ज़ुलमत आश्कार
ज़िंदगी मजबूर और मर्ग ओ अदम बा-एख़्तियार
ये अमानतदार-ए तख़लीक़ आदमी
या अदम, ज़ूलमात और अंधी ख़ला
कौन है ना’एब तेरा
मेरे ख़ुदा?
ग़ैर मौजूदात पर है मुश्तमिल यह काएनात
तमतराक़-ए नक़रा ओ ज़र, ल’अल ओ गौहर का सबात
तिशनगी का रेगज़ार, आसूदा कामी की फ़रात
ख़्वाहिशों के दश्त ओ सहरा, आरज़ू की काए’नात
हसरतों के सर्द लाशे, जुसतजू के गर्म हात
जिस्म के मसरूफ़ दिन और रूह की बे चैन रात
दरमियां में वक़्त का कुच्छ फ़ासला रख लो तो सब ना-बूद हैं
शमा’ बुझ जाए तो ये सारे मनाज़िर हलक़ा-हाए दूद हैं
हॅस्त पर ना-बूद हाकिम
वाक़ा’ई पर वहम-ए ना-मौजूद हाकिम
आदमी या आदमी की शक्ल के ना-बूद ओ ना-मौजूद हलक़ा-हाए दूद
कौन है नाएब तेरा
मेरे ख़ुदा?
ला ओ लश्कर, तब्ल ओ औरंग ओ अलम, नक़्क़ारे हाजिब चोबदार
बम, मिसाइल, आसमानी लैब, रॉकेट और ख़लाई शहसवार
क़हत ओ सैलाब ओ वबा, ग़ुस्से से शक़ होती ज़मीं, आतिश बा सीना कोहसार
ख़ुरदनी ना-ख़ुरदनी अजनास के मसरूक़ा गोदाम
ज़ुल्म ओ इस्तेहसाल ओ मिल्कीयत के हाफ़िज़ शरा’ ओ दस्तूर ओ क़वानीन-ए तशद्दुद आश्कार
क़ातिल और सारिक़ के ख़ानाज़ाद हैं नज़्म ओ नसक़ के एख़्तियार
मज़हर-ए शान-ए ख़ुदावन्दी की हैं मजबूरियाँ ना-दीदनी, ना-गुफ़्तनी
फ़ाक़ा ओ बीमारी ओ इफ़्लास के रौंदे हुए इंसां छिचौरी हड्डियों के वास्ते
भौंकते एक दूसरे पर, नोचते एक दूसरे की बोटियाँ
महनत ओ ईमानदारी है सग-ए शहर-ए हवस
आदमी या आदमी पर हुक्मरां क़ानून का ज़ालिम हिसार
कौन ना’एब है तेरा
मेरे ख़ुदा?
हर तरफ़ आदमी हैं बालिश्तियों की बस्तियाँ
बाँस की टांगों पे चलती क़द्द -ए आदम पास्तियाँ
बौनेपन की हैं तलाफ़ी ऊँची ऊँची कुर्सियाँ
पहलू’ओं में ज़ेवरों से सोने चाँदी की लदे ना-मर्दूमी की दास्तां
मसनद-ए कमख़्वाब ओ दीबा पर सजी काल्दार आँखों की नचाती पुतलियाँ
खरखराते काग़ज़ों और चमचमाती धात के रंगीं खिलोने के लिए किल्कारियाँ
शाहर में बालिश्तियौं के सर बा-ज़ानू और कमर से हैं ख़मीदा आदमी
सर उठा कर गर खड़ा हो जाए पूरा आदमी
अद्ल की मस्नद बिच्छा कर, कमतरी की गिरह को मीज़ां बना कर
हुक्म देंगे क़त्ल का बालिश्तिये
आदमी या आदमी की शक्ल के बालिश्तिये
कौन ना’एब है तेरा
मेरे ख़ुदा?
या ख़ुदा-ए ज़ुल-जलाल
जन्नत-ए मौ’ऊद तेरी बारिश-ए अन्वार-ए रूयत का जमाल
तेरी इस मौजूद दुनिया में है ना-बूद हुक्म
ज़ुल्म ओ इस्तेहसाल का क़ानून हाकिम
आदमी पेर आदमी के शक्ल के बालिश्तिये हैं हुक्मरां
क्या तेरी मौ’ऊद जन्नत में भी है ना-बूद के अंधे क़वानीन
और इन्सां शक्ल बौनों का मक़ाम?
क्या हमें होगा वहाँ भी सिर्फ़ अपने ख़ून-ए दिल पेर एख़्तियार?
क्या वहाँ भी करना होगा, हमको हर लम्हा सवाल
कौन ना’एब है तेरा
मेरे ख़ुदा?
Khalifatun fil arz – vaheed aKhtar
Click on any passage for meanings and discussion.
ya Khuda-e zul-jalaal1
Khaliq2-e maujood3 o na-maujood4, zaat5-e la-yizaal6
arsh o kursi7, salsabeel o kausar8 o lauh o qalam9 tera jamaal10
jinn o naas11, iblees o jibreel12 o malaaek13 teri qudrat14 ka kamaal15 1.possesser of majesty 2.creator of 3.the present, existing 4.not present, not yet created 5.personhood, essence 6.without decline/downfall 7.heaven and (god’s) throne 8.names of rivers in paradise 9.writing tablet and pen 10.manifestations 11.satan and Gabriel 13.angels 14.nature, capabilities, power 15.accomplishment, capabilities
The poet addresses the god of majestic glory, creator of that which exists and also of that which is yet to be created, essence/power that has no decline. Paradise and seventh heaven (the seat of god), the rivers of paradise, pen and writing tablet (possibly signifying the Quran and other similar books) are all signs of your beauty. Demons and humans, Satan and Gabriel and all angels are but the manifestations of your nature/power.
jannat-e mau’ood15 o jalwa-ha16-e na-mash-huud17 ke pahloo18 raqs19 karta
Khaak ka nanha sa zarra20 yeh zamiN
tu ne is zarre ko dee hai arsh o kursi21 ki bulandi22 asmaaN ki vus’ateN23 15.heaven that has been promised 16.beauty, manifestations (of god) 17.that have never been witnessed/seen 18.side 19.dancing 20.particle 21.heaven and seat (of god) 22.height, status 23.expanse
No one has seen the heaven that has been promised nor has anyone seen any of the manifestations of god, but by the side of heaven and the seat of heaven this tiny particle of dust, this earth is dancing. You have given this particle the same status as heaven. You have given it the expanse of the skies.
tu ne aadam meN mujassam23 kar diye apne kamaalaat o sifaat24
az karaaN ta ba karaaN25 phaili KhalaauN26 meN banaaya Khaak ke putle ko tasweer-e hayaat27
dee use taKhleeq28 o azaadi pe qudrat29 rooh ko uski banaaya sho’la-e irfan30-e nafs31 o kaaenaat32 23.embodiment 24.capabilities and qualities 25.from end to end 26.emptiness, space 27.picture of life 28.creation, existence 29.power 30.flame of mystic knowledge 31.life 32.universe/creation
You made man an embodiment/reflection of your own qualities and capabilities. From one end of your universe to the other, you made this idol of dust (man) the very picture of life. You gave him power over all creation and you gave him free will. You made his soul/spirit the fire of mystic knowledge of life and creation.
adl o sidq33 o haq34 ka hai ma’yaar35 ye mahdood36 zaat37
ek nanha sa sharara38 aur us par kul39 Khudaaii40 ka hai baar
ek vujood41 aur usko halqe42 meN liye hai har taraf se zulmatauN43 ka bahr44-e na-paida kinaar45
noor mub-ham46 aur zulmat43 aashkaar47
zindagi majboor48 aur marg o adam49 ba-iKhtiyaar50 33.justice and credibility 34.truth 35.criterion, standard 36.limited 37.person 38.spark 39.all 40.creation 41.existence, being 42.circle, encircle 43.darkness 44.ocean of 45.without shore, endless 46.vague, confusing 47.manifest, unfolding 48.under duress, forced 49.death and non-being 50.ascendant, having power over
This person of limited capabilites (human being) is considered to be the standard/epitome of justice, dependability and truth. This small spark is asked to bear the responsibility of all creation. This has reference to a Quranic verse where (at the time of creation) man accepts responsibility (amaanat, caretaker) for all of creation. One small creature encircled by a boundless ocean of darkness. It is strange that (in your world) light is vague/dim and darkness manifest all around, that life is under control of death and non-being.
ya amaanatdaar51-e taKhleeq52 aadmi
ya adam53, zulmaat54 aur andhee Khalaa55
kaun hai naa’eb56 tera
mere Khuda? 51.caretaker 52.creation 53.non-being, non-existence 54.darkness 55.emptiness 56.deputy, representative
You made man the caretaker of all creation … so … this caretaker of creation, this man OR non-existence, darkness, blind nothingness, which of these two is your representative, O my god?
Ghair maujoodat1 par hai mushtamil2 yeh kaaenaat3
tamtaraaq4-e nuqra o zar5, la’al o gauhar6 ka sabaat7
tishnagee8 ka regzaar9, aasuda-kaamee10 ki furaat11
KhwahishauN ke dasht o sahraa12, aarzoo13 ki kaaenaat3
hasratauN14 ke sard laashey15, justuju16 ke garm haat
jism ke masroof17 din aur rooh18 ki be-chain19 raat1.non-existent, nothingness 2.containing, comprising of 3.universe 4.glamour 5.silver and gold 6.rubies and pearls 7.constancy, permanence 8.thirst 9.sand desert 10.serenity, tranquility 11.Eurphrates, used to mean ‘river’ 12.wilderness and desert 13.desire 14.longing 15.cold corpses 16.search 17.busy 18.soul 19.restless
The universe comprises of (was created out of) nothing. (But once created, the universe is anything but “nothing”). All of these, then were created out of the same nothing – the permanence of the glamour of silver and gold, rubies and pearls, man’s boundless desire like a thirsty desert, like a universe of longing, carrying the cold corpse of unfulfilled longing and at the same time busy in his search/acquistiveness. The body is busy in it all day long and the soul restless all night long.
darmiyaaN20 meN waqt ka kuchh faasla21 rakh lo to sab na-bood22 haiN
shama’ bujh jaye to ye saare manaazir23 halqa-hae24 dood25 haiN
hast26 per na-bood22 haakim27
vaaqaee28 per vahm29-e na-maujood30 haakim27
aadmi ya aadmi ki shakl ke na-bood22 o na-maujood26 halqa-hae24 dood25
kaun hai naa’eb31 tera
mere Khuda?20.in the middle 21.distance 22.non-existent, nothingness, mortal, 23.scenes 24.circles, rings 25.smoke 26.existence, life 27.ascendant, controlling 28.real 29.suspicion, unreal, imagined 30.non-existent, nothingness 31.deputy, representative
Let some time pass, then everything becomes (passes back to) nothingness. Just like when a lamp is put out all scenes become like rings of smoke. Thus nothingness has power over Life. Suspicion/imagination/nothingness has power over the real/material. Who is your deputy/representative O god – is it man or nothingness/non-existence/smoke rings in the shape of man!!!!!
laa o lashkar1, tabl o auraNg o alam2, naqqare3, haajib, chobdaar4
bum, missile, aasmani lab, rocket aur Khalaaii5 shahsawaar6
qahat7 o sailaab8 o vaba9, Ghusse se shaq10 hoti zamiN, aatish11 ba seenah12 kohsaar13
Khurdani14 na-Khurdani15 ajnaas16 ke masrooqa17 godaam
zulm18 o istehsaal19 o milkeeyat20 ke haafiz21, shara’22 o dastoor23 o qawaneen24-e tashadud25 aashkar26
qaatil27 aur saariq28 ke Khanazaad29 haiN nazm o nasaq30 ke iKhtiyaar31 1.mighty armies 2.drum and throne and flag 3.trumpets 4.chamberlain and staff bearing attendants 5.from outer space 6.horsemen 7.drought, famine 8.floods 9.epidemic, pestilence 10.torn apart 11.flame, fire 12.bosom 13.hills, mountains 14.edible 15.inedible 16.grains 17.stolen 18.brutality, injustice 19.exploitation 20.ownership (of capital) 21.protectors 22.religious (Islamic) jurisprudence, religious edicts 23.tradition, constitution 24.laws 25.oppression 26.unfolding, revealing 27.killers 28.thieves 29.servant, slave, child through a concubine 30.administration and arrangements 31.power/control over
Man is helpless before the royal/political forces arraigned against him, helpless before natural disasters and pestilence visited upon him, helpless against the wealth of the capitalists. Thus … mighty armies, drum, throne etc., famine, flood, earthquakes, volcanoes, storehouses of stolen grain and commodities – and the political system with protectors of capital cruelly exploiting and using religious decree as well as constitutional law to perpetuate their own power – the slaves of killers and thieves have control over the administration – man is helpless against all this.
mazhar32-e shaan-e Khudawandi33 ki haiN majbooriyaan34 na-deedani35, na-guftani36
faaqaa37 o beemaari o iflaas38 ke raunde39 huey insaaN chhichhori40 haDDiyauN ke waaste
bhauNkte ek doosre par, nochte ek doosre ki boTiyaaN
mahnat o imaandaari hai sag41-e shahr-e hawas42
aadmi ya aadmi par hukmraaN qanoon ka zaalim hisaar43
kaun naaeb44 hai tera
mere Khudaa?32.display 33.divine grandeur 34.helplessness 35.unable to see 36.unable to describe 37.starvation 38.penury, pauperism 39.trampled 40.discarded, leftover 41.dog, stray street dog 42.city of greed 43.encirclement 44.deputy, representative
I cannot bear to see or describe the helplessness of divine power. Humans trampled under starvation, disease, penury fighting over discarded bones, barking at each other, biting each other – man behaves like stray dogs in the city of greed. Who is your representative on this earth, O god. Is it man or is it this cruel law that encircles and controls man!!!!!
har taraf aadmi haiN baalishtiyauN1 ki bastiyaaN
baaNs ki TaaNgauN pe chalti qadd-e aadam2 pastiyaaN3
baunepan4 ki haiN talaafi5 ooNchee ooNchee kursiyaaN
pahluauN6 meN zewarauN se soney chaandi ke lade na-mardumee7 ki daastaaN8
masnad9-e kamKhwaab o deeba10 per saji kaldaar11 aaNkhauN ki nachaati putliyaaN12
kharkharaatey13 kaaGhazauN aur chamchamaatee14 dhaat15 ke rangeeN khiloney ke liye kilkaariyaaN16 1.Lilliputans 2.stature of man 3.lowliness 4.low stature 5.compensation 6.sides, arms 7.impotence 8.story 9.throne 10.gold thread and brocade 11.sovereign 12.eyeballs 13.crackling 14.sparkling 15.metal 16.decorative art work
Wherever I turn I see men of low stature who pretend to be call walking bamboo stilts. Tall chairs (seats of power) compensate for their low stature. Gold jewelry on their arms exposes the impotence (of their character). They sit on golden thrones and with the mere movement of eyes make people around them dance. They maintain their show with crackling paper, shining toys decorated with art work.
shahr meN baalishtiyauN17 ke sar ba-zanoo18 aur kamar se haiN Khameeda19 aadmi
sar uTha kar gar20 khaRaa ho jaye pooraa aadmi
adl21 ki masnad22 bichhaa kar, kamtaree23 ki girha24 ko meezaaN25 banaa kar
hukm deNge qatl ka balishtiye17
aadmi ya aadmi ki shakl ke baalishtiye17
kaun naaeb26 hai tera
mere Khuda?17.Lilliputans, people of low stature/character 18.head on knee, dejected 19.bent 20.if 21.justice 22.throne 23.inferiority 24.knot 25.balance 26.deputy
The city (is governed by) people of low stature while men set dejected or stand with backs bent in obeisance. If anyone should stand tall and hold his head high, people of low stature, sitting on their thrones of justice, will pronounce judgement, their balance/justice will only be a knot/noose of inferiority with which to hang the innocent. They will pronounce a sentence of death. Who then is your representative on this earth O god. Is it these humanoids of low stature or is it man?
ya Khuda-e zul-jalaal1
jannat-e mauood2 teri baarish-e anwaar3-e rooyat4 ka jamaal5
teri is maujood6 duniya meN hai na-bood7 hukm8
zulm9 o istehsaal10 ka qanoon11 haakim12
aadmi per aadmi ke shakl ke baalishtiye13 haiN hukmraaN14 1.glorious god 2.promised heaven 3.rays of light 4.faces, manifestations 5.beauty 6.present, real, material 7.non-existent 8.order (god’s law) 9.cruelty 10.exploitation 11.laws 12.controlling, governing 13.people of low stature 14.rulers
O glorious god, your glory rains on the heaven you have promised but in this world your rule is non-existent. Cruelty and exploitation make laws and rule. Humanoid people of low (moral/spiritual) stature rule over humans.
kya teri mauood15 jannat meN bhi hai na-bood16 ke andhe qawaneen17
aur insaaN shakl baunauN18 ka maqaam19?
kya hameN hoga vahaaN bhi sirf20 apne Khoon-e dil22 per iKhtiyaar22?
kya vahaaN bhi karna hoga, hamko har lamha23 sawaal24
kaun na’ib hai tera
mere Khuda?15.promised 16.non-existent/destructive 17.blind (unjust) laws 18.people of low (moral) stature 19.place, status, respect 20.only 21.bloody/sorrowful heart 22.control over 23.moment 24.question, pleading
Then, is it possible that in your promised heaven too there is respect/power for people of low (moral) stature and their destructive and unjust laws? Even there will we have control only on our sorrowful heart? Is it possible that even there (just like here on earth) we will have plead and beg every moment. Who is your representative, O god.
Khalifatun fil arz – vaheed aKhtar
ya Khuda-e zul-jalaal1
Khaliq2-e maujood3 o na-maujood4, zaat5-e la-yizaal6
arsh o kursi7, salsabeel o kausar8 o lauh o qalam9 tera jamaal10
jinn o naas11, iblees o jibreel12 o malaaek13 teri qudrat14 ka kamaal15
1.possesser of majesty 2.creator of 3.the present, existing 4.not present, not yet created 5.personhood, essence 6.without decline/downfall 7.heaven and (god’s) throne 8.names of rivers in paradise 9.writing tablet and pen 10.manifestations 11.satan and Gabriel 13.angels 14.nature, capabilities, power 15.accomplishment, capabilities
The poet addresses the god of majestic glory, creator of that which exists and also of that which is yet to be created, essence/power that has no decline. Paradise and seventh heaven (the seat of god), the rivers of paradise, pen and writing tablet (possibly signifying the Quran and other similar books) are all signs of your beauty. Demons and humans, Satan and Gabriel and all angels are but the manifestations of your nature/power.
jannat-e mau’ood15 o jalwa-ha16-e na-mash-huud17 ke pahloo18 raqs19 karta
Khaak ka nanha sa zarra20 yeh zamiN
tu ne is zarre ko dee hai arsh o kursi21 ki bulandi22 asmaaN ki vus’ateN23
15.heaven that has been promised 16.beauty, manifestations (of god) 17.that have never been witnessed/seen 18.side 19.dancing 20.particle 21.heaven and seat (of god) 22.height, status 23.expanse
No one has seen the heaven that has been promised nor has anyone seen any of the manifestations of god, but by the side of heaven and the seat of heaven this tiny particle of dust, this earth is dancing. You have given this particle the same status as heaven. You have given it the expanse of the skies.
tu ne aadam meN mujassam23 kar diye apne kamaalaat o sifaat24
az karaaN ta ba karaaN25 phaili KhalaauN26 meN banaaya Khaak ke putle ko tasweer-e hayaat27
dee use taKhleeq28 o azaadi pe qudrat29 rooh ko uski banaaya sho’la-e irfan30-e nafs31 o kaaenaat32
23.embodiment 24.capabilities and qualities 25.from end to end 26.emptiness, space 27.picture of life 28.creation, existence 29.power 30.flame of mystic knowledge 31.life 32.universe/creation
You made man an embodiment/reflection of your own qualities and capabilities. From one end of your universe to the other, you made this idol of dust (man) the very picture of life. You gave him power over all creation and you gave him free will. You made his soul/spirit the fire of mystic knowledge of life and creation.
adl o sidq33 o haq34 ka hai ma’yaar35 ye mahdood36 zaat37
ek nanha sa sharara38 aur us par kul39 Khudaaii40 ka hai baar
ek vujood41 aur usko halqe42 meN liye hai har taraf se zulmatauN43 ka bahr44-e na-paida kinaar45
noor mub-ham46 aur zulmat43 aashkaar47
zindagi majboor48 aur marg o adam49 ba-iKhtiyaar50
33.justice and credibility 34.truth 35.criterion, standard 36.limited 37.person 38.spark 39.all 40.creation 41.existence, being 42.circle, encircle 43.darkness 44.ocean of 45.without shore, endless 46.vague, confusing 47.manifest, unfolding 48.under duress, forced 49.death and non-being 50.ascendant, having power over
This person of limited capabilites (human being) is considered to be the standard/epitome of justice, dependability and truth. This small spark is asked to bear the responsibility of all creation. This has reference to a Quranic verse where (at the time of creation) man accepts responsibility (amaanat, caretaker) for all of creation. One small creature encircled by a boundless ocean of darkness. It is strange that (in your world) light is vague/dim and darkness manifest all around, that life is under control of death and non-being.
ya amaanatdaar51-e taKhleeq52 aadmi
ya adam53, zulmaat54 aur andhee Khalaa55
kaun hai naa’eb56 tera
mere Khuda?
51.caretaker 52.creation 53.non-being, non-existence 54.darkness 55.emptiness 56.deputy, representative
You made man the caretaker of all creation … so … this caretaker of creation, this man OR non-existence, darkness, blind nothingness, which of these two is your representative, O my god?
Ghair maujoodat1 par hai mushtamil2 yeh kaaenaat3
tamtaraaq4-e nuqra o zar5, la’al o gauhar6 ka sabaat7
tishnagee8 ka regzaar9, aasuda-kaamee10 ki furaat11
KhwahishauN ke dasht o sahraa12, aarzoo13 ki kaaenaat3
hasratauN14 ke sard laashey15, justuju16 ke garm haat
jism ke masroof17 din aur rooh18 ki be-chain19 raat
1.non-existent, nothingness 2.containing, comprising of 3.universe 4.glamour 5.silver and gold 6.rubies and pearls 7.constancy, permanence 8.thirst 9.sand desert 10.serenity, tranquility 11.Eurphrates, used to mean ‘river’ 12.wilderness and desert 13.desire 14.longing 15.cold corpses 16.search 17.busy 18.soul 19.restless
The universe comprises of (was created out of) nothing. (But once created, the universe is anything but “nothing”). All of these, then were created out of the same nothing – the permanence of the glamour of silver and gold, rubies and pearls, man’s boundless desire like a thirsty desert, like a universe of longing, carrying the cold corpse of unfulfilled longing and at the same time busy in his search/acquistiveness. The body is busy in it all day long and the soul restless all night long.
darmiyaaN20 meN waqt ka kuchh faasla21 rakh lo to sab na-bood22 haiN
shama’ bujh jaye to ye saare manaazir23 halqa-hae24 dood25 haiN
hast26 per na-bood22 haakim27
vaaqaee28 per vahm29-e na-maujood30 haakim27
aadmi ya aadmi ki shakl ke na-bood22 o na-maujood26 halqa-hae24 dood25
kaun hai naa’eb31 tera
mere Khuda?
20.in the middle 21.distance 22.non-existent, nothingness, mortal, 23.scenes 24.circles, rings 25.smoke 26.existence, life 27.ascendant, controlling 28.real 29.suspicion, unreal, imagined 30.non-existent, nothingness 31.deputy, representative
Let some time pass, then everything becomes (passes back to) nothingness. Just like when a lamp is put out all scenes become like rings of smoke. Thus nothingness has power over Life. Suspicion/imagination/nothingness has power over the real/material. Who is your deputy/representative O god – is it man or nothingness/non-existence/smoke rings in the shape of man!!!!!
laa o lashkar1, tabl o auraNg o alam2, naqqare3, haajib, chobdaar4
bum, missile, aasmani lab, rocket aur Khalaaii5 shahsawaar6
qahat7 o sailaab8 o vaba9, Ghusse se shaq10 hoti zamiN, aatish11 ba seenah12 kohsaar13
Khurdani14 na-Khurdani15 ajnaas16 ke masrooqa17 godaam
zulm18 o istehsaal19 o milkeeyat20 ke haafiz21, shara’22 o dastoor23 o qawaneen24-e tashadud25 aashkar26
qaatil27 aur saariq28 ke Khanazaad29 haiN nazm o nasaq30 ke iKhtiyaar31
1.mighty armies 2.drum and throne and flag 3.trumpets 4.chamberlain and staff bearing attendants 5.from outer space 6.horsemen 7.drought, famine 8.floods 9.epidemic, pestilence 10.torn apart 11.flame, fire 12.bosom 13.hills, mountains 14.edible 15.inedible 16.grains 17.stolen 18.brutality, injustice 19.exploitation 20.ownership (of capital) 21.protectors 22.religious (Islamic) jurisprudence, religious edicts 23.tradition, constitution 24.laws 25.oppression 26.unfolding, revealing 27.killers 28.thieves 29.servant, slave, child through a concubine 30.administration and arrangements 31.power/control over
Man is helpless before the royal/political forces arraigned against him, helpless before natural disasters and pestilence visited upon him, helpless against the wealth of the capitalists. Thus … mighty armies, drum, throne etc., famine, flood, earthquakes, volcanoes, storehouses of stolen grain and commodities – and the political system with protectors of capital cruelly exploiting and using religious decree as well as constitutional law to perpetuate their own power – the slaves of killers and thieves have control over the administration – man is helpless against all this.
mazhar32-e shaan-e Khudawandi33 ki haiN majbooriyaan34 na-deedani35, na-guftani36
faaqaa37 o beemaari o iflaas38 ke raunde39 huey insaaN chhichhori40 haDDiyauN ke waaste
bhauNkte ek doosre par, nochte ek doosre ki boTiyaaN
mahnat o imaandaari hai sag41-e shahr-e hawas42
aadmi ya aadmi par hukmraaN qanoon ka zaalim hisaar43
kaun naaeb44 hai tera
mere Khudaa?
32.display 33.divine grandeur 34.helplessness 35.unable to see 36.unable to describe 37.starvation 38.penury, pauperism 39.trampled 40.discarded, leftover 41.dog, stray street dog 42.city of greed 43.encirclement 44.deputy, representative
I cannot bear to see or describe the helplessness of divine power. Humans trampled under starvation, disease, penury fighting over discarded bones, barking at each other, biting each other – man behaves like stray dogs in the city of greed. Who is your representative on this earth, O god. Is it man or is it this cruel law that encircles and controls man!!!!!
har taraf aadmi haiN baalishtiyauN1 ki bastiyaaN
baaNs ki TaaNgauN pe chalti qadd-e aadam2 pastiyaaN3
baunepan4 ki haiN talaafi5 ooNchee ooNchee kursiyaaN
pahluauN6 meN zewarauN se soney chaandi ke lade na-mardumee7 ki daastaaN8
masnad9-e kamKhwaab o deeba10 per saji kaldaar11 aaNkhauN ki nachaati putliyaaN12
kharkharaatey13 kaaGhazauN aur chamchamaatee14 dhaat15 ke rangeeN khiloney ke liye kilkaariyaaN16
1.Lilliputans 2.stature of man 3.lowliness 4.low stature 5.compensation 6.sides, arms 7.impotence 8.story 9.throne 10.gold thread and brocade 11.sovereign 12.eyeballs 13.crackling 14.sparkling 15.metal 16.decorative art work
Wherever I turn I see men of low stature who pretend to be call walking bamboo stilts. Tall chairs (seats of power) compensate for their low stature. Gold jewelry on their arms exposes the impotence (of their character). They sit on golden thrones and with the mere movement of eyes make people around them dance. They maintain their show with crackling paper, shining toys decorated with art work.
shahr meN baalishtiyauN17 ke sar ba-zanoo18 aur kamar se haiN Khameeda19 aadmi
sar uTha kar gar20 khaRaa ho jaye pooraa aadmi
adl21 ki masnad22 bichhaa kar, kamtaree23 ki girha24 ko meezaaN25 banaa kar
hukm deNge qatl ka balishtiye17
aadmi ya aadmi ki shakl ke baalishtiye17
kaun naaeb26 hai tera
mere Khuda?
17.Lilliputans, people of low stature/character 18.head on knee, dejected 19.bent 20.if 21.justice 22.throne 23.inferiority 24.knot 25.balance 26.deputy
The city (is governed by) people of low stature while men set dejected or stand with backs bent in obeisance. If anyone should stand tall and hold his head high, people of low stature, sitting on their thrones of justice, will pronounce judgement, their balance/justice will only be a knot/noose of inferiority with which to hang the innocent. They will pronounce a sentence of death. Who then is your representative on this earth O god. Is it these humanoids of low stature or is it man?
ya Khuda-e zul-jalaal1
jannat-e mauood2 teri baarish-e anwaar3-e rooyat4 ka jamaal5
teri is maujood6 duniya meN hai na-bood7 hukm8
zulm9 o istehsaal10 ka qanoon11 haakim12
aadmi per aadmi ke shakl ke baalishtiye13 haiN hukmraaN14
1.glorious god 2.promised heaven 3.rays of light 4.faces, manifestations 5.beauty 6.present, real, material 7.non-existent 8.order (god’s law) 9.cruelty 10.exploitation 11.laws 12.controlling, governing 13.people of low stature 14.rulers
O glorious god, your glory rains on the heaven you have promised but in this world your rule is non-existent. Cruelty and exploitation make laws and rule. Humanoid people of low (moral/spiritual) stature rule over humans.
kya teri mauood15 jannat meN bhi hai na-bood16 ke andhe qawaneen17
aur insaaN shakl baunauN18 ka maqaam19?
kya hameN hoga vahaaN bhi sirf20 apne Khoon-e dil22 per iKhtiyaar22?
kya vahaaN bhi karna hoga, hamko har lamha23 sawaal24
kaun na’ib hai tera
mere Khuda?
15.promised 16.non-existent/destructive 17.blind (unjust) laws 18.people of low (moral) stature 19.place, status, respect 20.only 21.bloody/sorrowful heart 22.control over 23.moment 24.question, pleading
Then, is it possible that in your promised heaven too there is respect/power for people of low (moral) stature and their destructive and unjust laws? Even there will we have control only on our sorrowful heart? Is it possible that even there (just like here on earth) we will have plead and beg every moment. Who is your representative, O god.
