(Bang-e-Dra-105) Shikwa (شکوہ) The Complaint
THE COMPLAINT
Fikr-e-Farda Na Karum, Mahw-e-Ghum-e-Dosh Rahun
Why should I choose the loser’s role? Forbear to seek what gain I may?
Nor think of what the morrow holds, But brood o’er woes of yesterday?
Humnawa Main Bhi Koi Gul Hun Ke Khamosh Rahun
Why should my ears enraptured hear the plaintive notes of Philomel?
Fellow‐bard! a rose am I to lose me in sweet music’s swell?
Shikwa Allah Se Khakam Badahan Hai Mujh Ko
For I too have the gift of song which gives me courage to complain,
But ah! ‘tis none but God Himself whom I, in sorrow, must arraign!
Qissa-e-Dard Sunate Hain Ke Majboor Hain Hum
I grant that we have earned repute as ever reconciled to Fate,
But to You still a tale of pain I can no longer help narrate.
Nala Ata Hai Agar Lab Pe To Maazoor Hain Hum
Though we may seem like voiceless lyres, within, imprisoned anguish cries;
Its urge compels, and I obey, Framing these plaintive melodies.
Khugar-e-Hamd Se Thora Sa Gila Bhi Sun Le
Hear You, O God! these sad complaints from those of proven fealty;
From lips accustomed but to praise hear You these words in blame of You!
Phool Tha Zaib-e-Chaman, Par Na Preshan Thi Shamim
From when eternal Time began, Your Timeless Self had also been;
But then no breeze its sweetness spread though the Rose reigned the garden’s queen.
Boo-e-Gul Phailti Kis Tarah Jo Hoti Na Nasim
Canst You, in justice, but confess, O Lord! from whom all favours flow,
Had not the south wind toiled in love the world Your fragrance would not know?
Warna Ummat Tere Mehboob (S.A.W.) Ki Diwani Thi
The glad travail we sought for You Rejoiced our souls and was our pride—
Thinkst You the followers of Your Friend Insanely spread Your Truth so wide?
Kahin Masjood The Pathar, Kahin Maabood Shajar
Before we came, how strange a sight was this most beauteous world of Thine (yours)!
For here to stones men bowed their heads, and there in trees did ‘gods’ enshrine!
Manta Phir Koi Un-Dekhe Khuda Ko Kyunkar
Their unenlightened minds could seize nought else but what their eyes could see,
You know, Lord, Your writ ran not—Man neither knew nor worshipped Thee (You)!
Quwwat-e-Baazoo-e-Muslim Ne Kiya Kaam Tera
And canst You say that even once one of these did Your name recite?
It was the might of Muslim arms fulfilled Your task and gave them Light.
Ahl-e-Chin Cheen Mein, Iran Mein Sasaani Bhi
Yet once there lived the Seljuks here, Turanians too, and wise Chinese,
Sasanians drew their breath and thrived In rose‐perfumed Iranian breeze;
Issi Dunya Mein Yahudi Bhi The, Nusraani Bhi
And elsewhere in Your peopled world the Greeks of Yunan held their sway,
While sons of Israel side by side with Christian nations had their day.
Baat Jo Bigri Huwi Thi, Woh Banaai Kis Ne
But which among these nations raised the sacred sword in holy fight,
Self‐consecrated to Your cause, to set their crazy world aright?
Khushkion Mein Kabhi Larte, Kabhi Dariyaon Mein,
’Tis we and we alone who thronged as warriors on Your fields of fray,
And now upon the land we fought and now upon the salt sea spray.
Kabhi Africa Ke Tapte Huwe Sehraaon Mein.
We made our Azan’s call resound beneath proud spires in Western lands,
And made that magic melody thrill over Afric’s burning sands.
Kalima Parhte The Hum Chaon Mein Talwaron Ki
The pageantries of mighty kings to us were shows that mattered not,
Beneath the shade of blades unsheathed in Kalima we glory sought.
Aur Merte The Tere Naam Ki Azmat Ke Liye
Our only life was then to face the perils of Your holy wars;
To glorify Your name we died, adorned with hallowed battle scars.
Sar-Bakaf Phirte The Kya Dehar Mein Doulat Ke Liye
Not lust for power for our own sakes our drawn‐sword’s playfulness inspired,
Nor roamed we hand‐in‐glove with death for worldly riches we desired.
But Faroshi Ke Iwaz But Shikni Kyon Karti?
Our people, had they set their hearts on this world’s riches or its gold,
Not idol‐breaking would have gone but idols would have bought and sold.
Paon Sheron Ke Bhi Maidan Se Ukhar Jate The
We stood our ground like rocks when once the foe had met our phalanx dread;
Before our might the bravest quailed and, vanquished, from the battle fled.
Taeg Kya Cheez Hai, Hum Toup Se Larh Jate The
And those who offered You affront our swift, relentless fury faced,
Their mightiest arms we set at nought, Their insolence and pride abased.
Zer-e-Khanjar Bhi Yeh Paigham Sunaya Hum Ne
On all men’s minds we set Your seal, Your tawhid’s firm and sure impress—
The selfsame message preached our lips when swords danced high in battle’s stress.
Sheher Qaiser Ka Jo Tha, Us Ko Kiya Sar Kis Ne
Declare You whose fierce valor once did Khyber’s barriers overthrow?
Or whose resistless might once laid Famed Caesar’s proudest cities low?
Tore Makhluq Khudawandon Ke Paikar Kis Ne
Kaat Kar Rakh Diye Kuffaar Ke Lashkar Kis Ne
Who smashed to dust man’s handwrought gods, those things of straw and earth and clay?
And who did unbelieving hosts to spread Your name and glory slay?
Kis Ne Phir Zinda Kiya Tazkara-e-Yazdaan Ko?
And who was it that quenched and cooled the fiery urns of fair Iran?
And in that land did once again revive the worship of Yazdan?
Aur Tere Liye Zehmat Kash-e-Paikaar Huwi
Among those nations, was there one who craved You as we craved and sought?
Or risked the perils of fell war that Your Divinest will be wrought?
Kis Ki Takbeer Se Dunya Teri Baidar Huwi
Whose was that conquest‐thirsty sword which won and held the world in fee?
And whose the Takbeer‐sounding call, which wakened all the world to You?
Munh Ke Bal Gir Ke 'HU WA-ALLAH HU AHAD' Kehte The
Whose was the fateful wrath which made all idols shrink in terror just?
“There is no god but God,” they cried, as crumbling down they kissed the dust.
Qibla Ru Ho Ke Zameen Bos Huwi Qoum-e-Hijaz
When worship’s ordained hour was come, and furious raged the battle’s fray,
Those men of Hijaz, staunch in You, facing Your Ka‘ba, bowed to pray.
No Koi Banda Raha Aur Na Koi Banda Nawaz.
Mahmood the king and slave Ayaz, in line, as equals, stood arrayed,
The lord was no more lord to slave: while both to the One Master prayed.
Teri Sarkar Mein Pohanche To Sabhi Aik Huwe
Slave or slave’s master, rich or poor, no sense of difference then felt,
For each a brother was to each when in Your Presence, Lord, they knelt.
Mai-e-Tauheed Ko Lekar Sifat-e-Jam Phire
And You do know we went about at sunrise or when stars did shine,
In banquet‐halls of Time and Space, like goblets, filled with tawhid’s wine
Aur Maaloom Hai Tujh Ko, Kabhi Nakaam Phire !
Both heights and lowlands we traversed to spread Your message; O glad pain!
Not even once, You know well, we strove against the world in vain.
Bahr-e-Zulmaat Mein Daura Diye Ghore Hum Ne
Not only land we bore Your Word glorious across the heaving seas,
Upon our steed of zeal, we rode unto their darkest boundaries!
Nau-e-Insaan Ko Ghulami Se Chhuraya Hum Ne
We who removed from this world’s book the leaves which were with falsehood stained,
We who, from tyrant ignorance, The prisoned human race unchained,
Tere Quran Ko Seenon Se Lagaya Hum Ne
We who with myriad sajdas filled Your Holy Kaʹba’s hallowed shrine,
Whose bosoms reverently held Your great and glorious Book Divine—
Hum Wafadar Nahin, Tu Bhi To Dildar Nahin!
If our meed still the obloquy that we have shirked the Faithful’s part,
How then canst You make claim to be the kindly faith‐compelling heart?
Ejz Wale Bhi Hain, Mast-e-Mai-e-Pindar Bhi Hain
For there are those of other faiths Among whom many sinners ,
Some humble, others puffed with pride, Drunken in their effrontery;
Saikron Hain Ke Tere Naam Se Baizar Bhi Hain
If some have vision, thousands are of little worth, neglectful, worse;
And millions upon millions live from Your dear, glorious name averse.
Barq Girti Hai To Bechare Musalmanon Par
Yet see how still Your bounties rain on roofs 0f unbelieving clans,
While strikes Your thunder‐bolt the homes of all‐forbearing Mussalmans!
Hai Khushi In Ko Ke Kaabe Ke Nigehban Gye
In idol‐houses, hark! they say, “Behold, the Muslim star sinks low!
How glad they are that now at last Your Kaʹba’s brave protectors go!
Apni Baghlon Mein Dabaye Huwe Quran Gye
They say, “The world is well rid now of hymn‐reciting camel‐men,
Their Quran folded in their arms, At last they hie them from our ken!
Apni Touheed Ka Kuch Paas Tujhe Hai Ke Nahin
Thus they rejoice who own You not; Yet still unmindful seemest You
Of Yours own One‐ness, Your Tawhid—Are You so unregarding now?
Nahin Mehfil Mein Jinhain Baat Bhi Karne Ka Shaur
That ignorant men who lack the grace to ope their lips in conclave high
Should have their coffers treasure‐filled, is not the burden of our sigh;
Aur Bechare Musalman Ko Faqat Wada-e-Hoor
But O, that this world’s best should fall to unbelievers from Your hand
While we on promises are fed of pleasures in a shadowy land!
Baat Ye Kya Hai Ke Pehli Si Madarat Nahin
Where are those favours which You once upon our grateful hearts didst pour ?
Why cherishest You not, O Lord, The Faithful as in days of yore?
Teri Qudrat To Hai Woh Jis Ki Na Had Hai Na Hisab
Why from the bounties of this life The Faithful now no profit gain
Though still Almighty You remainest aAnd limitless Your means remain?
Rahroo-e-Dasht Ho Seeli Zada Mouj-e-Saraab
If You but will, fountains can flow from barren desert and parched sands,
And mirage‐bound a traveller be while walking through green forest lands:
Kya Tere Nam Pe Marne Ka Iwaz Khwari Hai?
Yet foe-men‐taunted, grace‐deprived, and poorest of the poor are we!
Is this Your recompense to those who sacrifice their lives for You?
Reh Gyi Apne Liye Aik Khiyali Dunya
Your world, how eagerly, today on strangers, all its grace bestows:
For those who walk Your chosen way a world of dreams its glamour throws!
Phir Na Kehna Huwi Touheed Se Khali Dunya
So be it then, so let us pass, let other nations hold the sway—
When we are gone, reproach us not that tawhid too has passed away!
Kahin Mumkin Hai Saqi Na Rahe, Jaam Rahe?
We live here only that Your Name may live here in men’s minds enshrined;
Can saki bid his last adieu and leave Love’s cup and wine behind?
Shab Ki Aahen Bhi Gaien, Subah Ke Nale Bhi Gaye,
Your court‐yard empties. They depart who came to worship and adore;
The midnight’s sighs, the dawn’s lament, now You wilt miss for evermore!
Aa Ke Baithe Bhi Na The, Ke Nikaale Bhi Gaye.
They came, they gave their hearts to You, they had their recompense, and went.
But hardly they had seated been when from Your Presence they were sent!
Ab Unhen Dhoond Charag-e-Rukh-e-Zeba Lekar!
They came glad lovers, begging love; with future promise turned away:
Go, shine Your Beauty’s lamp about and seek and win them if You may!
Nejd Ke Dasht-o-Jabal Mein Ram-e-Aahoo Bhi Wohi,
The love of Layla burneth still, And Majnun passion’s yearning knows;
In hill and valley of the Nejd the fleet gazelle still leaping goes;
Ummat-e-Ahmed-e-Mursil Bhi Wohi, Tu Bhi Wohi,
The soul of Love is still the same, still, Beauty’s magic charms enthral,
Your Ahmad’s feemen still abide; and You art there, the soul of all.
Apne Shaidaaon Pe Yeh Chashm-e-Ghazab Kya Maani?
Then Stranger! why estranged today the bond of love ‘twixt You and Yours?
Upon the Faithful, O Unkind, why frowns Your eye of wrath Divine?
Boutgari Paisha Kiya, Bout Shikani Ko Chora?
Did we forswear our faith to You? to Your Dear Prophet cease to cling?
Of idol‐breaking did we tire? or take to idol‐worshipping?
Rasm-e-Salman (R.A.)-o-Awais-e-Qarani (R.A.) Ko Chora?
Or did we weary of Your Love, or Your Love’s rapture ever shun?
Or turned we from the path which trod Qaran’s Owais and Salman?
Zindagi Misl-e-Bilal-e-Habshi (R.A.) Rakhte Hain
Your Takbeer’s unextinguished flame within our hearts we cherish yet:
Aethiop Belal’s life, the star by which our own lives’ course we set!
Jaada Paimaai Taslim-o-Raza Bhi Na Sahi,
But even if a change has been, and we in Love are less adept,
Or out of resignation’s path our erring wayward feet have stept;
Aur Pabandi-e-Aaeen-e-Wafa Bhi Na Sahi
If, unlike trusted compasses, our souls respond not now to you,
And if to laws of faithfulness our roving hearts are now less true ;
Baat Kehne Ki Nahin, Tu Bhi To Harjaai Hai
Must You too play the fickle flirt with us, with others, day by day,
We cannot help the sinful thought which shame forbids our lips to say.
Ek Ishare Mein Hazaron Ke Liye Dil Tu Ne
Upon the peak of Mount Faran Your glorious Faith You didst perfect—
With one Divinest gesture drew a host of fervid first‐elect;
Phoonk Di Garmi-e-Rukhsar Se Mehfil Tu Ne
Your flaming Beauty filled the world and set a myriad hearts on fire;
Then blew the quintessence of Love in Man to passion’s wild desire.
Hum Wohi Sokhta Saman Hain, Tuhe Yaad Nahin?
Ah, why within our deadened hearts that holy flame today leaps not?
Though still those burnt‐out victims we which once we were, have You forgot?
Qais Diwana-e-Nazara Mehmil Na Raha
Upon the dale of Nejd is stilled the clanging of the captive’s chains;
To glimpse the camel‐litter, Qais no longer with his madness strains
Ghar Ye Ujhra Hai Ke Tu Ronaq-e-Mehfil Na Raha
The yearnings of the heart are dead, the heart itself is cold; so we;
And desolation fills our house for shines not there the Light of You.
Be-Hijabana Soo'ay Mehfil-e-Ma Baaz Ayi
O blessed day when You shall come, a thousand graces in Your train
When by unbashful glad feet turn towards our nesting‐place again.
Sunte Hain Jaam Bakaf Naghma-e-Kuku Baithe
Beside the garden fountain now, quaffing wine, strangers sit, alas!
The cuckoo’s note their ear regales and their hands hold the sparkling glass!
Tere Diwane Bhi Hain Muntazir 'Hoo' Baithe
From all this garden’s riot far, Calm in a corner seated too,
Love‐longing lunatics await Your frenzy‐kindling breath of 'hu'!
Barq-e-Dairina Ko Farman-e-Jigar Sozi De
The passion for the flame’s embrace—Your moths—ah, let them once more know;
And bid Your ancient lightning strike and set these ash‐cold hearts aglow!
Le Ura Bulbul-e-Be Par Ko Mazak-e-Parwaz
Towards the Hijaz turn again the straying tribe their bridle‐strings!
Lo, wingless soars the nightingale aloft, upon its yearning’s wings!
Tu Zara Chair To De, Tashna-e-Mizrab Hai Saaz
The fragrance in each blossom hid within the garden palpitates,
But with Your plectrum wake its strings—The lute that livening touch awaits!
Toor Muztar Hai Ussi Aag Mein Jalne Ke Liye
Yea, longs to break its prison’s bounds the string‐imprisoned melody;
And yearning Sinai waits again to burn itself to dust in You
Moor-e-Bemaya Ko Humdosh-e-Suleman Kar De
Resolve, O Lord! the travail sore which this Your chosen people tries,
Make You the ant of little worth to Solomon’s proud stature rise!
Hind Ke Dair Nasheenon Ko Musalman Kar De
Bring You, O Lord, with our grasp that most rare love for which we pray;
To India’s temple‐squatters teach the truth of the Islamic way.
Mee Tapd Nala Ba Nashtar Kadah-e-Seena-e-Maa
Our hearts’ desires, long unfulfilled, unceasingly our life‐blood drain;
Our breasts, with thousand daggers pierced, still struggle with their cry of pain!
Our hearts’ desires, long unfulfilled, unceasingly our life‐blood drain;
Our breasts, with thousand daggers pierced, still struggle with their cry of pain!
Boo-e-Gul Le Gyi Bairun-e-Chaman Raaz-e-Chaman
Kya Qayamat Hai Ke Khud Phool Hain Ghammaz-e-Chaman !
The fragrance of the rose has borne the garden’s secret far away—
How sad it is, the traitor’s role the garden’s sweetest buds should play!
Kya Qayamat Hai Ke Khud Phool Hain Ghammaz-e-Chaman !
The fragrance of the rose has borne the garden’s secret far away—
How sad it is, the traitor’s role the garden’s sweetest buds should play!
Ahd-e-Gul Khatam Hua, Tut Gaya Saaz-e-Chaman,
Ur Gaye Dalion Se Zamzama Pardaaz-e-Chaman.
The bloom‐time of the rose is done; the garden‐harp now shattered lies;
And from its perch upon the twig, away each feathered songster flies—
Ur Gaye Dalion Se Zamzama Pardaaz-e-Chaman.
The bloom‐time of the rose is done; the garden‐harp now shattered lies;
And from its perch upon the twig, away each feathered songster flies—
Ek Bulbul Hai Ke Hai Mahw-e-Tarannum Ab Tak,
Us Ke Seene Mein Hai Naghmon Ka Talatam Ab Tak.
But yet there uncompanioned sits A lonely bulbul, all day long;
Its throat a‐throb with music still and pouring out its heart in song.
Us Ke Seene Mein Hai Naghmon Ka Talatam Ab Tak.
But yet there uncompanioned sits A lonely bulbul, all day long;
Its throat a‐throb with music still and pouring out its heart in song.
Qumrian Shaakh-e-Sanober Se Gurezaan Bhi Huin,
Pattian Phool Ki Jhar Jhar Ke Pareshan Bhi Huin;
The darkening cypress sways no more; from shadowy nests its doves have fled;
The withered blossoms droop and die, and all around their petals shed;
Pattian Phool Ki Jhar Jhar Ke Pareshan Bhi Huin;
The darkening cypress sways no more; from shadowy nests its doves have fled;
The withered blossoms droop and die, and all around their petals shed;
Who Purani Ravishen Bagh Ki Weeran Bhi Huin,
Daalian Parahan-e-Barg Se Uriaan Bhi Huin.
Those memoried, old garden walks of all their former pride lie shorn,
Despoiled of raiment green, each branch in nakedness now stands forlorn;
Daalian Parahan-e-Barg Se Uriaan Bhi Huin.
Those memoried, old garden walks of all their former pride lie shorn,
Despoiled of raiment green, each branch in nakedness now stands forlorn;
Qaid-e-Mausim Se Tabiat Rahi Aazad Uski,
Kaash Gulshan Mein Samjhta Koi Faryaad Uski.
Unmoved by passing seasons’ change, the songster sits and sings alone:
Would there were in this garden some could feel the burden of its moan!
Kaash Gulshan Mein Samjhta Koi Faryaad Uski.
Unmoved by passing seasons’ change, the songster sits and sings alone:
Would there were in this garden some could feel the burden of its moan!
Lutf Merne Main Hai Baqi, Na Maza Jeene Mein
Kuch Maza Hai To Yehi Khoon-e-Jigar Peene Mein
This life no more its joy retains, nor even death can bring relief;
‘Tis sweet to sit alone and sigh and eat a sad heart out in grief.
Kuch Maza Hai To Yehi Khoon-e-Jigar Peene Mein
This life no more its joy retains, nor even death can bring relief;
‘Tis sweet to sit alone and sigh and eat a sad heart out in grief.
Kitne Betaab Hain Jouhar Mere Aaeene Mein
Kis Qadar Jalwe Tarapte Hain Mere Seene Mein
Out from the mirror of my soul ‘ what gems of thought now strive to shine;
What visions splendid, dreams sublime,
Kis Qadar Jalwe Tarapte Hain Mere Seene Mein
Out from the mirror of my soul ‘ what gems of thought now strive to shine;
What visions splendid, dreams sublime,
Iss Gulistan Mein Magar Dekhne Wale Hi Nahin
Dagh Jo Seene Mein Rakhte Hun, Woh Lale Hi Nahin
Arise within this breast of mine! but in this garden lives not one to see and hear, to feel and know:
No tulip with its streak of pain, to sense my heart‐blood’s smarting flow.
Dagh Jo Seene Mein Rakhte Hun, Woh Lale Hi Nahin
Arise within this breast of mine! but in this garden lives not one to see and hear, to feel and know:
No tulip with its streak of pain, to sense my heart‐blood’s smarting flow.
Chaak Iss Bulbul-e-Tanha Ki Nawa Se Dil Hon
Jaagne Wale Issi Bang-e-Dara Se Dil Hon
May this sad bulbuls lonely song to grief each listening soul awake;
The clangour of these rousing bells make drowsy hearts their sleep forsake!
Jaagne Wale Issi Bang-e-Dara Se Dil Hon
May this sad bulbuls lonely song to grief each listening soul awake;
The clangour of these rousing bells make drowsy hearts their sleep forsake!
Yani Phir Zinda Naye Ehd-e-Wafa Se Dil Hon
Phir Issi Bada-e-Deerina Ke Pyaase Dil Hon
Let Faithful hearts re‐plight their troth, and forge afresh their bond Divine;
Let in the long‐parched heart of each the old thirst wake for sweet old wine!
Phir Issi Bada-e-Deerina Ke Pyaase Dil Hon
Let Faithful hearts re‐plight their troth, and forge afresh their bond Divine;
Let in the long‐parched heart of each the old thirst wake for sweet old wine!
Ajami Khum Hai To Kya, Mai To Hijazi Hai Meri
Naghma Hindi Hai To Kya, Lai To Hijazi Hai Meri
The blood of sweet Arabian vine O’erflows this wine‐jar Ajamy,
Although the singer sings in Ind, ff Hijaz is his melody.
Naghma Hindi Hai To Kya, Lai To Hijazi Hai Meri
The blood of sweet Arabian vine O’erflows this wine‐jar Ajamy,
Although the singer sings in Ind, ff Hijaz is his melody.
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