Recitation
٣٩
اُٹھ ، اور جلا چراغ سرِ سبزِ آب و گِل
لا خشکیوں کو کھینچ کے چشموں کے متصل
چونکا اُنھیں جو خاک کے ارماں ہیں مضمحل
سینے میں اِس زمیں کے دھڑکتا نہیں ہے دِل
ڈوبی ہوی ہے نبض جہانِ علیل کی
پیدا کر اِس جمود میں رو سلسبیل کی
٤٠
ائے خاتمِ پیمبرِ آفاق کے نگیں
ائے کارسازِ نور و کلاہِ سرِ یقیں
اِس بات کو زمیں پہ کوئی جانتا نہیں
یعنی خدا سی چیز بھی موجود ہے کہیں
کوئی زمیں پہ لو ہے نہ ضو آسمان پر
بنیادِ اعتقاد رکھ ا پنی زبان پر
٤١
اِنکارِ کبریا کے براہین ہیں طویل
اور دین کے خلاف ہے دُنیا کا ہر وکیل
نقاش و نقش و صانع و مصنوع کی دلیل
اِس دور میں ثبوتِ خدا کی نہیں کفیل
ہاں بابِ امن کھول، درِ فتنہ بند کر
ہاتوں پہ ناطقے کے خدا کو بلند کر
٤٢
ہاں شمع ذات خیمہِ الفاظ میں جلا
لیلاۓ حق کو محملِ تقریر میں بٹھا
گوشِ بشر کو حشمِ حقیقت نِگر بنا
کانوں سے لوگ دیکھ سکیں جلوہِ خدا
تیرے بیاں پہ غلغلہ اُٹھے دروُد کا
یوں پیش کر ثبوت خدا کے وجوُد کا
٤٣
وحدت کے باب میں نہ اگر کد کریگا تو
پائے گا کبر یہ کا تصور نہ آبِ رو
فکرِ بشر نماز پڑھے گی بلا وضو
تا یومِ دیں صمد میں رہے گی صنم کی بو
لپٹا ہوا تفنن و وہم و قیاس میں
دائم خدا رہیگا بشر کے لباس میں
٤٤
چمکے گا تیری فکر سے ہر گوشہِ جمال
لائے گا تو خیال کے موسم میں اعتدال
اِنساں کے ذہن میں جو ہیں اشکالِ ذوالجلال
اک تو ہی لا سکے گا اُن اشکال پر زوال
یہ تو کہے گا جلوہ بجز واہمہ نہیں
جو دیکھنے میں آئے وہ بُت ہے خدا نہیں
٤٥
دنیا کو تو بتائے گا یہ نکتۂِ جمیل
یعنی ازل سے ایک توانائیِ جلیل
جس کی کوئی نظیر نہ جس کا کوئی عدیل
اس کارگاہِ وقتِ گریزاں کا ہے کفیل
اَظلال و انجذاب نہ وہ انعکاس ہے
دنیا سے دور ہے نہ وہ دنیا کے پاس ہے
٤٦
انسان کے مزاج کی اِس میں نہیں ہے بوُ
وہ کچھ نہیں ہے، کچھ بھی نہیں ہے سوائے ہوُ
وہ شاہِ نرم طبع نہ سلطانِ تند خوُ
وہ دِل نواز دوست نہ ہمّت شکن عدوُ
وہ پائے بندِ رسمِ وفا و جفا نہیں
جذبات جس پہ ٹوٹ پڑیں وہ خدا نہیں
٤٧
ہاں دِن کو تو کریگا سیہ رات سے جدا
وزنی حقیقتوں کو روایات سے جدا
اللہ کو تمام قیاسات سے جدا
اسما و وصف و سمت و اِشارات سے جدا
داغوں سے تو احد کے ورق کو بچائے گا
شخصی تعینات سے حق کو بچائے گا
٤٨
پرکھیگا تیرا علم ہی اِس کائنات کو
جانچے گی تیری عقل ہی خونِ حیات کو
وہ تو ہے جو کھرچ کے نقوشِ صفات کو
دیکھے گا اِک حکیم کی مانند ذات کو
بے حد کو حبسِ خانہٗ حد سے چھڑُا ئگا
تو کبریا کو دامِ عدو سے چھڑُا ئگا
٤٩
آ بِ مکاں، اِمامِ زماں، آیہٗ مبیں
کنزِ علوم، کاشفِ سر، کعبہٗ یقیں
قاضیٗ دہر، قبلۂ دوراں، قوامِ دیں
منشائے عصر، معنئِ کنُ، میرِعالمیں
تابندگیٗ طرّہَ طرُفِ کلاہِ علم
مولائے جاں، رسولِ تمدّن، اِلہِ علم
٥٠
آواز، جاں نواز، ترنم، جہاں فروز
تیور تمام ساز، تکلم تمام سوز
دانش مہ دوہفتہ، نظر مہرِ نیم روز
تقریر فہم باف، خموشی خیال دوز
تجھ سے جو آشنا ہے وہ جوہر شناس ہے
تیری زبان ذہنِ بشر کا لباس ہے
٥١
تیراسخن وہ سیلِ جواباتِ بے مثال
شاداب جس کی موج سے ہر تشنہ لب سوال
تیرا ہر ایک لفظ دو صد مکتبِ خیال
تیری زباں سے روشنیِ وجہ ذوالجلال
ہوتا نہ تو تو سان نہ چڑھتی یقین پر
قرُآن کی زبان نہ کھلتی زمین پر
٥٢
تو دیکھتا ہے کاہ میں طوفانِ کہکشاں
ذرّاتِ بے سواد میں شہروں کے کارواں
تخمِ تنک وجود میں صحرائے بے کراں
نقطے کی جیبِ تنگ میں فرہنگِ این و آں
کانٹے میں سیلِ جلوہِ گل دیکھتا ہے تو
ہر جزو میں تجلیِّ کلُ دیکھتا ہے تو
39
उठ और जला चिराग़ सर-ए सब्ज़-ए आब ओ गिल
ला ख़ुश्कियौं को खेंच के चश्मों के मुत्तसिल
चौंका इन्हें जो ख़ाक के अरमां है मुज़्महिल
सीने में इस ज़मीं के धड़कता नहीं है दिल
डूबी हुई है नब्ज़ जहान-ए अलील की
पैदा कर इस जुमूद में रौ सल्सबील की
40
अए ख़ातम ए पैयम्बर ए आफ़ाक़ के नगीं
अए कारसाज़ ए नूर ओ कुलाह ए सर ए यक़ीं
इस बात को ज़मीं पे कोई जानता नहीं
या’नी ख़ुदा सी चीज़ भी मौजूद है कहीं
कोई ज़मीं पे लौ है न ज़ौ आसमान पर
बुनियाद-ए एतेक़ाद रख अपनी ज़बान पर
41
इनकार-ए किब्रिया के बराहीन हैं तवील
और दीन के ख़िलाफ़ है दुनिया का हर वकील
नक़्क़ाश ओ नक़श ओ सा’ना ओ मसनू’ की दलील
इस दौर में सुबूत ए ख़ुदा की नहीं कफ़ील
हां बाब ए अमन खोल दर-ए फ़ित्ना बंद कर
हातों पे नातेक़े के ख़ुदा को बलंद कर
42
हां शमा’-ए ज़ात ख़ैमा-ए अल्फ़ाज़ में जला
लैला-ए हक़ को महमिल-ए तक़रीर में बिठा
गोश-ए बशर को हशम-ए हक़ीक़त निगर बना
कानों से लोग देख सकें जलवा-ए ख़ुदा
तेरे बयां पे ग़ुलग़ुला उट्ठे दुरूद का
यूँ पेश कर सुबूत ख़ुदा के वुजूद का
43
वहदत के बाब में न अगर कद करेगा तू
पाएगा किब्रिया का तसव्वुर न आब-ए रु
फ़िक्र-ए बशर नमाज़ पढ़ेगी बिला वुज़ू
ता यौम-ए दीं समद में रहेगी सनम की बू
लपटा हुआ तफ़न्नुन ओ वहम ओ क़ियास में
दा’एम ख़ुदा रहेगा बशर के लिबास में
44
चमकेगा तेरी फ़िक्र से हर गोशा-ए जमाल
लाएगा तू ख़याल के मोसम में ए’तेदाल
इन्सान के ज़हन में जो हैं अश्काल ए ज़ुल्जलाल
एक तू ही ला सकेगा उन अश्काल पर ज़वाल
ये तू कहेगा जलवा बजुज़ वाहमा नहीं
जो देखने में आए वो बुत है ख़ुदा नहीं
45
दुनिया को तू बताएगा ये नुक़्ता-ए जमील
यानी अज़ल से एक तवानाई-ए जलील
जिस की कोई नज़ीर न जिस की कोई अदील
इस कारगाह ए वक़्त-ए गुरेज़ाँ का है कफ़ील
अज़्लाल ओ अंजज़ाब न वो इन’एकास है
दुनिया से दूर है न वो दुनिया के पास है
46
इंसान के मिज़ाज की इस में नहीं है बू
वो कुछ नहीं है, कुच्छ भी नहीं है सिवाए हू
वो शाह ए नर्म तब’अ न सुल्तान-ए तुंद ख़ू
वो दिल नवाज़ दोस्त न हिम्मत शिकन अदू
वो पा-ए बंद-ए रस्म-ए वफ़ा ओ जफ़ा नहीं
जज़्बात जिस पे टूट पड़ें वो ख़ुदा नहीं
47
हां दिन को तू करेगा सियह रात से जुदा
वज़नी हक़ीक़तों के रिवायात से जुदा
अल्लाह को तमाम क़ियासात से जुदा
अस्मा ओ वस्फ़ ओ सिम्त ओ इशारत से जुदा
दाग़ों से तू अहद के वरक़ को बचाएगा
शख़्सी तय्युनात से हक़ को बचाएगा
48
परखेगा तेरा इल्म ही इस काएनात को
जांचेगी तेरी अक़्ल ही ख़ून-ए हयात को
वो तू है जो खिरच के नुक़ूश-ए सिफ़ात को
देखेगा एक हकीम की मानिंद ज़ात को
बे हद को हब्स-ए ख़ाना-ए हद से छुड़ाएगा
तू किब्रिया को दाम-ए अदू से छुड़ाएगा
49
आब-ए मकां, इमाम-ए ज़मां, आया-ए मुबीं
किन्ज़-ए उलूम, काशिफ़-ए सर, काबा-ए यकीं
क़ाज़ी-ए दहर, क़िबला-ए दौरां, क़वाम-ए दीं
मंशा-ए अस्र, मानी-ए कुन, मीर-ए आलमीं
ताबंदगी-ए तुर्रा-ए तर्फ़-ए कुलाह-ए इल्म
मौला-ए जां, रसूल-ए तमद्दुन, इलाह-ए इल्म
50
आवाज़, जां नवाज़, तरन्नुम, जहाँ फ़रोज़
तैवर, तमाम साज़, तकल्लुम, तमाम सोज़
दानिश, मह-ए दो हफ़्ता, नज़र, महर-ए नीम रोज़
तक़रीर, फ़हम बाफ़, ख़मोशी, ख़याल दोज़
तुझ से जो आशना है वो जौहर शिनास है
तेरी ज़बान ज़हन-ए बशर का लिबास है
51
तेरा सुख़न वो सैल-ए जवाबात-ए बे मिसाल
शादाब जिस की मौज से हर तिश्ना लब सवाल
तेरा हर एक लफ़्ज़ दो सद मकतब-ए ख़याल
तेरी ज़बां से रौशनी-ए वजह ज़ुल्जलाल
होता न तू तो सान न चढ़ती यक़ीन पर
क़ुर’आन की ज़बान न खुलती ज़मीन पर
52
तू देखता है काह में तूफ़ान-ए कहकशां
ज़र्रात-ए बे सवाद में शहरों के कारवाँ
तुख़्म-ए तुनक वुजूद में सेहरा-ए बे करां
नुक़्ते की जेब-ए तंग में फ़रहंग-ए ईन ओ आं
कांटे में सैल-ए जलवा-ए गुल देखता है तू
हर जुज़्व में तजल्ली-ए कुल देखता है तू
Click here for overall comments and on any stanza for meanings and discussion. Josh has described dawn, and has used this dawn as a metaphor for the birth/coming of Ali. He is now describing the mission that (presumably) god or rooh-e irteqa, the Spirit of Progress (see stanza 38) has given Ali.
39
uTh aur jala chiraGh sar-e sabz-e aab o gil1
la KhushkiyoN2 ko kheinch ke chashmoN3 ke muttasil4
chauNka5 inheN jo Khaak6 ke armaN hai muzmahil7
seene meN is zamiN ke dharakta nahiN hai dil
Doobi hui hai nabz8 jahan-e aleel9 ki
paida kar is jumood10 meN rau11 salsabeel12 ki1. the lush greenery of water and clay (supposedly life was created of water and clay thus lush greenery is a sign of life 2. dry land 3. spring/river/water 4. side by side 5. startle, wake up 6. dust (earth) 7. weak, debilated 8. weak pulse 9. sick 10. stillness, congealed matter 11. flow 12. a river in paradise
The Spirit of Progress calls upon Ali to arise and light a lamp at the head of Life. Bring water to barren land so life may spring up. Wake up this listless earth, lacking in desire. There is no heartbeat in the bosom of this earth. The pulse of the ailing world is sinking. Create the flow of Salsabeel in this unmoving/static world.
40
aye Khatam1-e paiambar-e aafaq2 ke nagiN3
aye karsaaz4-e nur5 o kulaah6-e sar-e yaqiN7
is baat ko zamiN pe koi jaanta nahiN
ya’ani Khuda si cheez bhi maujood8 hai kahiN
koi zamiN pe lau9 hai na zau10 aasmaan par
buniyaad11-e eteqaad12 rakh apni zabaan13 par1. seal (signet) ring 2. prophet of the skies/universe 3. jewel 4. architect. 5. light (of knowledge) 6. cap, crown 7. certainty or faith 8. exist 9. flame 10. light 11. foundation 12. faith, belief 13. tongue, words
The Spirit of Progress continues to call on Ali and Josh continues his high praise of Ali – O jewel of the seal ring of the prophet of the universe, O architect of the ray of knowledge, the crown of faith, nobody knows this for sure on the earth that a being like god even exists anywhere. There is no flame on earth, no light in the sky to show his presence. The foundation of faith is based on your word/credibility.
41
inkaar1-e kibriya2 ke barahiin3 haiN taveel4
aur deen5 ke Khilaf hai duniya ka har vakeel
naqaash6 o naqsh7 o saan’a8 o masnoo9’ ki daleel10
is daur meN suboot11-e Khuda ki nahiN kafeel12
haN baab-e amn13 khol dar-e fitna14 band kar
haatoN pe naateqe15 ke Khuda ko baland kar1. denial 2. god 3. clues, evidence 4. long, many 5. belief 6. painter/artist 7. painting, image 8. designer 9. designed 10. proof/logic 11. proof 12. guarantee 13. door to peace, well being 14. door to trouble/mischief 15. speech, words
In Stanza 38, “rooh-e irteqa” (spirit of progress) assigned a mission for Ali to perform. Josh continues the description of that mission. There are many reasons to deny the existence of god and every spokesman/advocate of the world is against faith. In these times there is no credible statement of the existence of god – neither proof of artist-image, designer-designed. Open the door to peace, shut it on mischief and conflict. Raise the existence of god on the strength of your words.
42
haN shama’e zaat1 Khaima-e alfaaz2 meN jala
laila e haq3 ko mahmil4 e taqrir5 meN biTha
gosh-e bashar6 ko hasham7-e haqeeqat nigar8 bana
kaanoN se log dekh sakeN jalva e Khuda9
tere bayaN pe GhulGhula10 uTThe durood11 ka
yuN pesh kar12 suboot13 Khuda ke vujood14 ka1. personhood, refering to the existence of god – thus shama’ e zaat means the “light of god” 2. platform of words, logic 3. Laila of righteousness (truth/ knowledge) 4. palanquin on camels for highly regarded passengers 5. speech (implying dialogue is better than force and power 6. human ear 7. servant 8. one who is able to see truth 9. face of god, personality of god 10. pervasive sound, declaration 11. statement of the acceptance of god 12. present, put forward 13. proof 14. existence
Light up the light of god’s person with the power of your words. Place the Laila of Truth in the mahmil (palanquin) of discourse i.e. discussion is preferable to war. Persuade the human ear to accept the superiority of reality/truth. Let a cry of acceptance of god rise based on your description. Present the proof of existence of god such that humans may be able to see god with their minds.
43
vahdat1 ke baab2 meN na agar kad3 karega tu
paaega kibriya4 ka tasavvur5 na aab-e ru6
fikr-e bashar7 namaz paRhegi bila vuzu8
ta yaum-e diN9 samad10 meN rahegi sanam11 ki bu
lapTa hua tafannun12 o vahm13 o qiyas14 meN
daa’em15 Khuda rahega bashar ke libaas meN1. oneness, uniqueness 2. chapter 3. struggle 4. god 5. concept 6. brilliance of a face 7. human mind 8. In Islam namaz (prayer) is unacceptable without the prescribed ablutions, the implication here is that all thinking of human mind will come to nought 9. until the day of judgement 10. eternal, god 11. idol 12. diversions, amusements 13. superstitions 14. supersitions 15. forever
Unless you struggle to establish one-ness, the concept of god will not acquire brilliance. Human thinking will come to nought (like namaz being offered without ablutions). Even to the end of the world the concept of god will be mixed with idolatory, wrapped in ritualistic diversions and superstitions. God will forever remain in human form.
44
chamkega teri fikr se har gosha-e jamal1
laaega tu Khyaal ke mosam meN e’tedal2
insaN ke zahn3 meN jo haiN ashkal4 e zuljalal5
ek tu hi la sakega un ashkal par zaval6
ye tu kahega jalva7 bajuz8 vaahma9 nahiN
jo dekhne meN aaye vo but hai Khuda nahiN1. every corner of beauty (of creation) 2. balance, equanimity 3. mind 4. faces, forms, conceptions 5. god 6. downfall 7. face, body, manifestation 8. except for 9. superstition Your thinking will brighten every corner of creation. You will bring balance, credibility to thought. The numerous (mis)conceptions of god that are in the human mind, only you will be able to disprove them. You will explain that material manifestation is nothing but superstition and that which can be seen is an idol, not god.
45
duniya ko tu bataega ye nukta e jameel1
ya’ani azal2 se aek tavanaai3 e jaleel4
jis ki koi nazir5 na jis ki koi adeel6
is kargaah7 e vaqt e gurezaaN8 ka hai kafeel9
azlaal10 o anjazaab11 na vo ine’kaas12 hai
duniya se duur13 hai na vo duniya ke paas hai1. beautiful/subtle point 2. beginning 3. energy 4. grand, powerful 5. example 6. equal 7. workshop 8. flowing time 9. guarantor 10. zulmat, darknesses 11. as an idea absorbed into a shape 12. reflection, image 13. far – used here in the sense of separate
You (O, Ali) will explain this subtle point to the world that from the beginning (of creation) a powerful energy which has no example nor an equal is the guarantor of the workings of time. It is neither dark nor light, it has no shape or reflection. It is neither separate from creation nor is a part of it (this is a Sufi concept of vahdat-al-vujood – unity of existence).
46
insaan ke mizaj1 ki is meN nahiN hai buu
vo kuchh nahiN hai, kucch bhi nahiN hai sivae huu2
vo shah-e narm taba’a3 na sultan-e tund Khoo4
vo dil navaz dost5 na himmat shikan6 adoo7
vo paa-e band-e rasm8-e vafa o jafa9 nahiN
jazbat10 jis pe TooT paReN11 vo Khuda nahiN1. character 2. spirit 3. sweet/kind/forgiving nature 4. angry nature, vindictive, punishing 5. loving friend 6. courage breaking i.e. fearsome 7. enemy, antagonist 8. tied by traditions/rules 9. friendship and anger – obligation and punishment 10. feelings, sentiments 11. attack, overcome
He/she/it does not have the character of humans. It is not anything, anything at all, nothing, but a spirit. He is neither a forgiving lord nor a vindictive king. He is neither a favouring friend nor a fearsome rival. He is not bound by rules of obligation or of punishment. If it is overcome by sentimentality then it is not god.
47
haN diN ko tu karega siyah raat se juda
vazni haqeeqatoN ke rivayaat1 se juda
allah ko tamaam qiyasaat2 se juda
asma3 o vasf4 o simt5 o ishaarat6 se juda
daaGhauN7 se tu ahad8 ke varaq9 ko bachaega
shaKhsi10 ta’iyyunaat11 se haq ko bachaega1. fables 2. superstitions 3. names 4. attributes 5. direction, indication 6. pointers, manifestations 7. stains 8. uniqueness, oneness 9. page 10. personal 11. determinations, interpretations
You (O, Ali) will separate day from the dark night and (heavy)serious thought from fables. You will separate god from superstition. You will distinguish between the spirit of god and his names, attributes and manifestations. You will keep the page of the concept of uniqueness of god clean of stains and will protect truth from narrow personal interpretations.
48
parkhega tera ilm hi is kaayenaat1 ko
jaaNchegi teri aql hi Khoon-e hayat2 ko
vo tu hai jo khirach3 ke nuqoosh4-e sifaat5 ko
dekhega ek hakiim5 ki maanind6 zaat7 ko
be-had8 ko habs9-e Khaana-e had10 se chhuRaega
tu kibriya11 ko daam12-e adu13 se chhuRaega1. creation 2. blood of life (essence/meaning of life) 3. scratch 4. drawings, paintings, sketches 5. attributes, qualities 6.wise 7. personhood, existence (of god) 8. limitless 9. confinement, oppressive/closed 10. house of limits 11. god 12. net, trap 13. enemy
It is your knowledge that will examine and judge the secrets of creation. It is your mind that will explain the meaning of life. It is you who will work through manifestations of attributes of god. And like a wise one you will explain the reality of existence. You will free the limitless from the confines of limits. You will save (the concept of) god from the trap set by enemies.
49
aab1-e makaaN2, imam-e zamaN3, aaya-e mubiN4
kinz-e uloom5, kaashif6-e sar7, kaaba-e yaqiN8
qaazi-e dahr9, qibla-e dauraaN10, qavaam-e diN11
mansha12-e asr13, maani-e kun14, mir15-e aalamiN16
tabandagi17-e turra18-e turf19-e kulaah20-e ilm
maula21-e jaaN, rasool-e tamaddun22, ilaah-e ilm23 x1. (in this context) brilliance 2. place, world 3. leader of times (all time) 4. clear direction, great teacher 5. treasure of knowledge 6. revealer, one who investigates and reveals secrets 7. essence 8. house of faith 9. commander of the world 10. center of the times (world) 11. foundation of righteousness 12. intent, purpose 13. times 14. existence, creation 15. leader 16. worlds (here and hereafter) 17. brilliance 18. jewel on the crown of the cap 19. source/head 20. cap 21. lord 22. teacher of civilization 23. god of knowledge
The whole stanza is simply a musical listing of adjectives praising/listing the attributes of Ali. Brilliance of the world, leader of the times, great teacher, treasure/store house of knowledge, revealer of secrets, abode of faith, commander of the world, center of the times, basis of righteousness, the purpose of the times, the meaning of existence, lord of the worlds, the brilliance of the jewel on the plume of the cap of knowledge, lord of life, teacher of civilization, god of knowledge.
50
aavaz, jaaN navaaz1, tarannum,2 jahaaN faroz3
taivar4 tamaam saaz5, takallum6 tamaam soz7
daanish8 mah-e do hafta9, nazar mahr-e neem roz10
taqrir11 fahm baaf12, Khamoshi Khayal doz13
tujh se jo aashna14 hai vo jauhar shinaas15 hai
teri zaban16 zahn-e bashar17 ka libaas18 hai1. life giving voice 2. musicality 3. lighting up the world 4. posture, action 5. totality (embodiment) of capability 6. speech, words, teaching 7. totality (embodiment) of pain/sympathy (for human suffering) 8. wisdom 9. full moon 10. mid-day sun 11. speech 12. wisdom woven (like cloth) 13. foundation of thought 14. aware of 15. “jauhar” is capabilities – to be “jauhar shinaas” is to know good qualities 16. tongue or language (used as “words”) 17. human mind 18. dress
The sound of your voice is life giving, its harmony lights up the world. Your posture is the embodiment human capability your words/teaching the embodiment of empathy/understanding. Your wisdom shines like the full moon. Your sight sharp and all seeing like the mid-day sun. Your speech weaves the cloth of wisdom, your silence lays the foundation of reason. He who knows you, knows the meaning of excellence. Your words are what dresses up the human mind.
51
tera suKhan1 vo sael e javabaat2-e be misaal3
shaadab4 jis ki mauj se har tishna lab savaal5
tera har aek lafz do sad6 maktab-e Khayaal7
teri zabaN se raushni-e vajah zuljalaal8
hota na tu to saan9 na chaRhti yaqiin10 par
quraan ki zaban na khulti zamiin par1. words 2. flood of answers 3. unexampled 4. lush , satiated 5. thirst (eager) question 6. two hundred, great 7. school of thought 8. face (appearance) of god 9. sharpness, whetstone 10. faith
Your words are like a flood of answers (to the puzzles of the universe) – answers that are without equal, answers that quench the thirst of every eager question. Every word of yours a great school of thought. Your tongue reflects the light of god. Faith could not have been sharpened without you. Qura’an could not have been understood without you.
52
tu dekhta hai kaah1 meN toofan-e kahkashaN2
zarrat3-e be savaad4 meN shahroN ke kaarvaaN
tuKhm-e tunak5 vujood6 meN sehra7-e be karaaN8
nuqte9 ki jeb-e tung10 meN farhang-e een o aaN11
kaaNTe meN sael12-e jalva-e gul13 dekhta hai tu
har juzv14 meN tajalli-e kul15 dekhta hai tu1. grass, hay 2. constellation (here for universe) 3. particles 4. insignificant 5. small seed 6. existence (existing before you) 7. wilderness 8, without limit, expanse 9. point 10. tight pocket –not readily yielding its secrets 11. encyclopedia of (this and that) everything 12. flood 13. beauty of the flower 14. part, component 15. light of the whole
You (O, Ali) can see the tumult of the universe in a blade of grass. You are far seeing and can figure out the potential of caravaans of cities in particles of dust. You can see that a small seed can yield a limitless expanse. You can read a whole encyclopedia in an unyielding dot, a flood of flowers in the point of a thorn and the beauty of the whole in every part.
Josh has described dawn, and has used this dawn as a metaphor for the birth/coming of Ali. He is now describing the mission that (presumably) god or rooh-e irteqa, the Spirit of Progress (see stanza 38) has given Ali.
39
uTh aur jala chiraGh sar-e sabz-e aab o gil1
la KhushkiyoN2 ko kheinch ke chashmoN3 ke muttasil4
chauNka5 inheN jo Khaak6 ke armaN hai muzmahil7
seene meN is zamiN ke dharakta nahiN hai dil
Doobi hui hai nabz8 jahan-e aleel9 ki
paida kar is jumood10 meN rau11 salsabeel12 ki
1. the lush greenery of water and clay (supposedly life was created of water and clay thus lush greenery is a sign of life 2. dry land 3. spring/river/water 4. side by side 5. startle, wake up 6. dust (earth) 7. weak, debilated 8. weak pulse 9. sick 10. stillness, congealed matter 11. flow 12. a river in paradise
The Spirit of Progress calls upon Ali to arise and light a lamp at the head of Life. Bring water to barren land so life may spring up. Wake up this listless earth, lacking in desire. There is no heartbeat in the bosom of this earth. The pulse of the ailing world is sinking. Create the flow of Salsabeel in this unmoving/static world.
40
aye Khatam1-e paiambar-e aafaq2 ke nagiN3
aye karsaaz4-e nur5 o kulaah6-e sar-e yaqiN7
is baat ko zamiN pe koi jaanta nahiN
ya’ani Khuda si cheez bhi maujood8 hai kahiN
koi zamiN pe lau9 hai na zau10 aasmaan par
buniyaad11-e eteqaad12 rakh apni zabaan13 par
1. seal (signet) ring 2. prophet of the skies/universe 3. jewel 4. architect. 5. light (of knowledge) 6. cap, crown 7. certainty or faith 8. exist 9. flame 10. light 11. foundation 12. faith, belief 13. tongue, words
The Spirit of Progress continues to call on Ali and Josh continues his high praise of Ali – O jewel of the seal ring of the prophet of the universe, O architect of the ray of knowledge, the crown of faith, nobody knows this for sure on the earth that a being like god even exists anywhere. There is no flame on earth, no light in the sky to show his presence. The foundation of faith is based on your word/credibility.
41
inkaar1-e kibriya2 ke barahiin3 haiN taveel4
aur deen5 ke Khilaf hai duniya ka har vakeel
naqaash6 o naqsh7 o saan’a8 o masnoo9’ ki daleel10
is daur meN suboot11-e Khuda ki nahiN kafeel12
haN baab-e amn13 khol dar-e fitna14 band kar
haatoN pe naateqe15 ke Khuda ko baland kar
1. denial 2. god 3. clues, evidence 4. long, many 5. belief 6. painter/artist 7. painting, image 8. designer 9. designed 10. proof/logic 11. proof 12. guarantee 13. door to peace, well being 14. door to trouble/mischief 15. speech, words
In Stanza 38, “rooh-e irteqa” (spirit of progress) assigned a mission for Ali to perform. Josh continues the description of that mission. There are many reasons to deny the existence of god and every spokesman/advocate of the world is against faith. In these times there is no credible statement of the existence of god – neither proof of artist-image, designer-designed. Open the door to peace, shut it on mischief and conflict. Raise the existence of god on the strength of your words.
42
haN shama’e zaat1 Khaima-e alfaaz2 meN jala
laila e haq3 ko mahmil4 e taqrir5 meN biTha
gosh-e bashar6 ko hasham7-e haqeeqat nigar8 bana
kaanoN se log dekh sakeN jalva e Khuda9
tere bayaN pe GhulGhula10 uTThe durood11 ka
yuN pesh kar12 suboot13 Khuda ke vujood14 ka
1. personhood, refering to the existence of god – thus shama’ e zaat means the “light of god” 2. platform of words, logic 3. Laila of righteousness (truth/ knowledge) 4. palanquin on camels for highly regarded passengers 5. speech (implying dialogue is better than force and power 6. human ear 7. servant 8. one who is able to see truth 9. face of god, personality of god 10. pervasive sound, declaration 11. statement of the acceptance of god 12. present, put forward 13. proof 14. existence
Light up the light of god’s person with the power of your words. Place the Laila of Truth in the mahmil (palanquin) of discourse i.e. discussion is preferable to war. Persuade the human ear to accept the superiority of reality/truth. Let a cry of acceptance of god rise based on your description. Present the proof of existence of god such that humans may be able to see god with their minds.
43
vahdat1 ke baab2 meN na agar kad3 karega tu
paaega kibriya4 ka tasavvur5 na aab-e ru6
fikr-e bashar7 namaz paRhegi bila vuzu8
ta yaum-e diN9 samad10 meN rahegi sanam11 ki bu
lapTa hua tafannun12 o vahm13 o qiyas14 meN
daa’em15 Khuda rahega bashar ke libaas meN
1. oneness, uniqueness 2. chapter 3. struggle 4. god 5. concept 6. brilliance of a face 7. human mind 8. In Islam namaz (prayer) is unacceptable without the prescribed ablutions, the implication here is that all thinking of human mind will come to nought 9. until the day of judgement 10. eternal, god 11. idol 12. diversions, amusements 13. superstitions 14. supersitions 15. forever
Unless you struggle to establish one-ness, the concept of god will not acquire brilliance. Human thinking will come to nought (like namaz being offered without ablutions). Even to the end of the world the concept of god will be mixed with idolatory, wrapped in ritualistic diversions and superstitions. God will forever remain in human form.
44
chamkega teri fikr se har gosha-e jamal1
laaega tu Khyaal ke mosam meN e’tedal2
insaN ke zahn3 meN jo haiN ashkal4 e zuljalal5
ek tu hi la sakega un ashkal par zaval6
ye tu kahega jalva7 bajuz8 vaahma9 nahiN
jo dekhne meN aaye vo but hai Khuda nahiN
1. every corner of beauty (of creation) 2. balance, equanimity 3. mind 4. faces, forms, conceptions 5. god 6. downfall 7. face, body, manifestation 8. except for 9. superstition
Your thinking will brighten every corner of creation. You will bring balance, credibility to thought. The numerous (mis)conceptions of god that are in the human mind, only you will be able to disprove them. You will explain that material manifestation is nothing but superstition and that which can be seen is an idol, not god.
45
duniya ko tu bataega ye nukta e jameel1
ya’ani azal2 se aek tavanaai3 e jaleel4
jis ki koi nazir5 na jis ki koi adeel6
is kargaah7 e vaqt e gurezaaN8 ka hai kafeel9
azlaal10 o anjazaab11 na vo ine’kaas12 hai
duniya se duur13 hai na vo duniya ke paas hai
1. beautiful/subtle point 2. beginning 3. energy 4. grand, powerful 5. example 6. equal 7. workshop 8. flowing time 9. guarantor 10. zulmat, darknesses 11. as an idea absorbed into a shape 12. reflection, image 13. far – used here in the sense of separate
You (O, Ali) will explain this subtle point to the world that from the beginning (of creation) a powerful energy which has no example nor an equal is the guarantor of the workings of time. It is neither dark nor light, it has no shape or reflection. It is neither separate from creation nor is a part of it (this is a Sufi concept of vahdat-al-vujood – unity of existence).
46
insaan ke mizaj1 ki is meN nahiN hai buu
vo kuchh nahiN hai, kucch bhi nahiN hai sivae huu2
vo shah-e narm taba’a3 na sultan-e tund Khoo4
vo dil navaz dost5 na himmat shikan6 adoo7
vo paa-e band-e rasm8-e vafa o jafa9 nahiN
jazbat10 jis pe TooT paReN11 vo Khuda nahiN
1. character 2. spirit 3. sweet/kind/forgiving nature 4. angry nature, vindictive, punishing 5. loving friend 6. courage breaking i.e. fearsome 7. enemy, antagonist 8. tied by traditions/rules 9. friendship and anger – obligation and punishment 10. feelings, sentiments 11. attack, overcome
He/she/it does not have the character of humans. It is not anything, anything at all, nothing, but a spirit. He is neither a forgiving lord nor a vindictive king. He is neither a favouring friend nor a fearsome rival. He is not bound by rules of obligation or of punishment. If it is overcome by sentimentality then it is not god.
47
haN diN ko tu karega siyah raat se juda
vazni haqeeqatoN ke rivayaat1 se juda
allah ko tamaam qiyasaat2 se juda
asma3 o vasf4 o simt5 o ishaarat6 se juda
daaGhauN7 se tu ahad8 ke varaq9 ko bachaega
shaKhsi10 ta’iyyunaat11 se haq ko bachaega
1. fables 2. superstitions 3. names 4. attributes 5. direction, indication 6. pointers, manifestations 7. stains 8. uniqueness, oneness 9. page 10. personal 11. determinations, interpretations
You (O, Ali) will separate day from the dark night and (heavy)serious thought from fables. You will separate god from superstition. You will distinguish between the spirit of god and his names, attributes and manifestations. You will keep the page of the concept of uniqueness of god clean of stains and will protect truth from narrow personal interpretations.
48
parkhega tera ilm hi is kaayenaat1 ko
jaaNchegi teri aql hi Khoon-e hayat2 ko
vo tu hai jo khirach3 ke nuqoosh4-e sifaat5 ko
dekhega ek hakiim5 ki maanind6 zaat7 ko
be-had8 ko habs9-e Khaana-e had10 se chhuRaega
tu kibriya11 ko daam12-e adu13 se chhuRaega
1. creation 2. blood of life (essence/meaning of life) 3. scratch 4. drawings, paintings, sketches 5. attributes, qualities 6.wise 7. personhood, existence (of god) 8. limitless 9. confinement, oppressive/closed 10. house of limits 11. god 12. net, trap 13. enemy
It is your knowledge that will examine and judge the secrets of creation. It is your mind that will explain the meaning of life. It is you who will work through manifestations of attributes of god. And like a wise one you will explain the reality of existence. You will free the limitless from the confines of limits. You will save (the concept of) god from the trap set by enemies.
49
aab1-e makaaN2, imam-e zamaN3, aaya-e mubiN4
kinz-e uloom5, kaashif6-e sar7, kaaba-e yaqiN8
qaazi-e dahr9, qibla-e dauraaN10, qavaam-e diN11
mansha12-e asr13, maani-e kun14, mir15-e aalamiN16
tabandagi17-e turra18-e turf19-e kulaah20-e ilm
maula21-e jaaN, rasool-e tamaddun22, ilaah-e ilm23
1. (in this context) brilliance 2. place, world 3. leader of times (all time) 4. clear direction, great teacher 5. treasure of knowledge 6. revealer, one who investigates and reveals secrets 7. essence 8. house of faith 9. commander of the world 10. center of the times (world) 11. foundation of righteousness 12. intent, purpose 13. times 14. existence, creation 15. leader 16. worlds (here and hereafter) 17. brilliance 18. jewel on the crown of the cap 19. source/head 20. cap 21. lord 22. teacher of civilization 23. god of knowledge
The whole stanza is simply a musical listing of adjectives praising/listing the attributes of Ali. Brilliance of the world, leader of the times, great teacher, treasure/store house of knowledge, revealer of secrets, abode of faith, commander of the world, center of the times, basis of righteousness, the purpose of the times, the meaning of existence, lord of the worlds, the brilliance of the jewel on the plume of the cap of knowledge, lord of life, teacher of civilization, god of knowledge.
50
aavaz, jaaN navaaz1, tarannum,2 jahaaN faroz3
taivar4 tamaam saaz5, takallum6 tamaam soz7
daanish8 mah-e do hafta9, nazar mahr-e neem roz10
taqrir11 fahm baaf12, Khamoshi Khayal doz13
tujh se jo aashna14 hai vo jauhar shinaas15 hai
teri zaban16 zahn-e bashar17 ka libaas18 hai
1. life giving voice 2. musicality 3. lighting up the world 4. posture, action 5. totality (embodiment) of capability 6. speech, words, teaching 7. totality (embodiment) of pain/sympathy (for human suffering) 8. wisdom 9. full moon 10. mid-day sun 11. speech 12. wisdom woven (like cloth) 13. foundation of thought 14. aware of 15. “jauhar” is capabilities – to be “jauhar shinaas” is to know good qualities 16. tongue or language (used as “words”) 17. human mind 18. dress
The sound of your voice is life giving, its harmony lights up the world. Your posture is the embodiment human capability your words/teaching the embodiment of empathy/understanding. Your wisdom shines like the full moon. Your sight sharp and all seeing like the mid-day sun. Your speech weaves the cloth of wisdom, your silence lays the foundation of reason. He who knows you, knows the meaning of excellence. Your words are what dresses up the human mind.
51
tera suKhan1 vo sael e javabaat2-e be misaal3
shaadab4 jis ki mauj se har tishna lab savaal5
tera har aek lafz do sad6 maktab-e Khayaal7
teri zabaN se raushni-e vajah zuljalaal8
hota na tu to saan9 na chaRhti yaqiin10 par
quraan ki zaban na khulti zamiin par
1. words 2. flood of answers 3. unexampled 4. lush , satiated 5. thirst (eager) question 6. two hundred, great 7. school of thought 8. face (appearance) of god 9. sharpness, whetstone 10. faith
Your words are like a flood of answers (to the puzzles of the universe) – answers that are without equal, answers that quench the thirst of every eager question. Every word of yours a great school of thought. Your tongue reflects the light of god. Faith could not have been sharpened without you. Qura’an could not have been understood without you.
52
tu dekhta hai kaah1 meN toofan-e kahkashaN2
zarrat3-e be savaad4 meN shahroN ke kaarvaaN
tuKhm-e tunak5 vujood6 meN sehra7-e be karaaN8
nuqte9 ki jeb-e tung10 meN farhang-e een o aaN11
kaaNTe meN sael12-e jalva-e gul13 dekhta hai tu
har juzv14 meN tajalli-e kul15 dekhta hai tu
1. grass, hay 2. constellation (here for universe) 3. particles 4. insignificant 5. small seed 6. existence (existing before you) 7. wilderness 8, without limit, expanse 9. point 10. tight pocket –not readily yielding its secrets 11. encyclopedia of (this and that) everything 12. flood 13. beauty of the flower 14. part, component 15. light of the whole
You (O, Ali) can see the tumult of the universe in a blade of grass. You are far seeing and can figure out the potential of caravaans of cities in particles of dust. You can see that a small seed can yield a limitless expanse. You can read a whole encyclopedia in an unyielding dot, a flood of flowers in the point of a thorn and the beauty of the whole in every part.
