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For those who are wondering why us? Jawab-e-Shikwa by Iqbal

Goritoes

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everyone who is wondering why we Muslims are in the condition that we are today looks like Iqbal in his famous Jawab-e-Shikwa has told us. Every Stanza of this Master Piece is worth reading/understanding and most importantly Reflecting not just Pakistani's but Arabs and Persians, American or Chinese Muslims there is something for all of us in these Stanza's with Powerful meaning, As Allah will not talk to us directly as those days are long gone, this could be the best reflection of what Allah would say to us (Muslims) today if he will's to talk.

For the essence of it this whole Poem is a Master Piece, but some of the lines are just way to powerful to ignore.

Thi Farishton Ko Bhi Hairat, Ke Yeh Awaz Hai Kya!
Arsh Walon Pe Bhi Khulta Nahin Yeh Raaz Hai Kya!

And even the Angels could not tell what was that voice so strange,
Whose secret seemed to lie beyond Celestial wisdom’s range.

Taa Sar-e-Arsh Bhi Insan Ki Tag-o-Taaz Hai Kya?
Aa Gyi Khak Ki Chutki Ko Bhi Parwaaz Hai Kya?

They said, “Can Man now roving come and reach these regions high?
That tiny speck of mortal clay, has it now learnt to fly?

Ghafil Aadaab Se Yeh Sukkaan-e-Zameen Kaise Hain
Shokh-o-Gustakh Yeh Pasti Ke Makeen Kaise Hain!

How little do these beings of earth the laws of conduct know;

How coarse and insolent they are, these men who live below.


Iss Qadar Shokh Ke Allah Se Bhi Barham Hai
Tha Jo Masjood-e-Malaeek Yeh Wohi Aadam Hai?

So great their insolence indeed, they dare even God upbraid!
Is this the Man to whom their bow the Angels once had made?

Alam-e-Kaif Hai, Dana-e-Ramooz-e-Kam Hai
Haan, Magar Ijz Ke Asrar Se Namehram Hai

Of Quality and Quantity He knows the secrets, true—
The ways of humbleness as well If he a little knew!

Naaz Hai Taaqat-e-Guftaar Pe Insanon Ko
Baat Karne Ka Saliqa Nahin Nadanon Ko!

That they alone are blest with speech how proud these humans be,

Yet, ignorant, they lack the art to use it gracefully.”



Hath Be-Zor Hain, Ilhaad Se Dil Khoo-Gar Hain
Ummati Baais-e-Ruswai-e-Paighamber (S.A.W) Hain

Apostate hearts and palsied hands Your earthly lives debase,
You all, to your great Prophet (PBUH), are Bringers of deep disgrace;

But-Shikan Uth Gaye, Baqi Jo Rahe But-Gar Hain
Tha Braheem Pidar, Aur Pisar Aazar Hain

Those idol‐breakers all have gone, You idolaters are,
Abraham was the father, you His sons, are but Azar;

Badah Aasham Naye, Bada Naya, Khum Bhi Naye
Harm-e-Kaaba Naya, But Bhi Naye, Tum Bhi Naye

Now stranger bands carousal hold, Strange are both cup and wine,

A strange new Kaʹba you have reared, Strange idols oh its shrine!

Kis Qadar Tum Pe Garan Subah Ki Baidari Hai
Hum Se Kab Pyar Hai! Haan Neend Tumhain Pyari Hai

To pray to me at break of day You now an ordeal deem,
Your morning slumber sweeter far— Yet you would faithful seem!

Tabaa-e-Azad Pe Qaid-e-Ramazan Bhari Hai
Tumhi Keh Do, Yehi Aaeen-e-Wafadari Hai?

The hardships of the fast oppress your natures—now grown free;
Such are your ways and you still would protest your love for me!

Qoum Mazhab Se Hai, Mazhab Jo Nahin, Tum Bhi Nahin
Jazb-e-Baham Jo Nahin, Mehfil-e-Anjum Bhi Nahin

Unto a nation faith is life, You lost your faith and fell,

When gravitation fails, must cease concourse celestial.

Kya Kaha? "Bahr-e-Musalman Hai Faqt Wade-e-Hoor
Shikwa Be-Ja Bhi Kare Koi Tau Lazim Hai Shaoor!

And did you say, for Muslims I mere promises dispense?
Unjust laments at least should show some spark of commonsense.

Adal Hai Fatir-e-Hasti Ka Azal Se Dastoor
Muslim Aaeen Huwa Kafir Tau Mile Hoor-o-Qasoor

Eternal is the Law of God and Justice is its name,
Should infidels like Muslims live the meed shall be the same.

Tum Mein Hooron Ka Koi Chahne Wala Hi Nahin
Jalwa-e-Toor Tau Maujood Hai, Moosa Hi Nahin

Not a single one among you is longing for houris

The Effulgence of 'Tur' exists but there is no Moses

Manfa’at Aik Hai Is Qaum Ki, Nuqsan Bhi Aik
Ek Hi Sab Ka Nabi (S.A.W), Din Bhi, Iman Bhi Aik

Your nation’s weal, your nation’s woe, In common you all share,
Your Prophet (PBUH) and your creed the same, the same Truth you declare;

Harm-e-Paak Bhi, Allah Bhi, Quran Bhi Aik,
Kuch Bari Baat Thi Hote Jo Musalmaan Bhi Aik!

And one your Kaʹba, One your God, and one your great Quran;
Yet, still, divided each from each, Lives every Mussalman.

Firqa Bandi Hai Kahin, Aur Kahin Zaatain Hain
Kya Zamane Mein Panapne Ki Yehi Baatain Hain?

You split yourselves in countless sects, In classes high and low;

Think you the world its gifts will still on such as you bestow?

Kon Hai Taarik-e-Aaeen-e-Rasool-e-Mukhtar (S.A.W.)?
Maslihat Waqt Ki Hai Kis Ke Amal Ka Maayaar?

Who now forgetfully neglect My Rasool’s Law sublime?
And whose lives write them clearly down As servers of the time?

Kis Ki Ankhon Mein Samaya Hai Sha’ar-e-Aghyar
Ho Gyi Kis Ki Nigah Tarz-e-Salaf Se Baizar?

To whom now other customs seem far nobler than their own?
By whom your great forefathers’ ways once followed, are forsworn?

Qalb Mein Souz Nahin, Rooh Mein Ehsas Nahin
Kuch Bhi Paigham-e-Muhammad (S.A.W.) Ka Tumhain Paas Nahin

Your hearts are now of longing void, Your souls now know no zeal,

You heed no more that message great which Ahmad (PBUH) did reveal.

Jaa Ke Hote Hain Masajid Mein Saf-Aara, Tau Ghareeb
Zehmat-e-Roza Jo Karte Hain Gawara, Tau Ghareeb

If worship’s echoes ring in mosques, It is the poor who pray;
If any fasting’s hardship bear, It is the poor, today;

Naam Leta Hai Agar Koi Hamara, Tau Ghareeb
Pardah Rakhta Hai Agar Koi Tumhara, Tau Ghareeb

It is the humble and the poor who still my name esteem,
Theirs is the word, theirs is the deed, Yours the shame they redeem.

Umra Nasha-e-Doulat Mein Hain Ghafil Hum Se
Zinda Hai Millat-e-Baiza Ghurba Ke Dam Se

The rich are drunk with wine of wealth, their God they hardly know,

It is because the poor yet live That wells of Faith still flow.

Shor Hai Ho Gaye Dunya Se Musalman Nabood
Hum Ye Kehte Hain Ke The Bhi Kahin Muslim Maujood!

It is said: “ The Muslims quit this world, Their days are on the wane
The Muslims died out long ago; Such a lament is vain.

Waza Mein Tum Ho Nisara, Tau Tamaddun Mein Hanood,
Yeh Musalman Hain! Jinhain Dekh Ke Sharmaen Yahood?

From Christians you have learnt your style, your culture from Hindus;
How can a race as Muslims pass who shame even the Jews?

Yun To Syed Bhi Ho, Mirza Bhi Ho, Afghan Bhi Ho
Tum Sabhi Kuch Ho, Batao To Musalman Bhi Ho!

You are known as Syed, and Mughal, you call yourselves Pathan;

But can you truly claim as well the name of Mussalman?

Har Koi Mast-e-Mai-e-Zauq-e-Tan Asani Hai,
Tum Musalman Ho? Ye Andaaz-e-Musalmani Hai?

he love of ease, like fumes of wine makes sots of you today,
How dare you pass as Mussalmans? That is not Islam’s way?

Haidari Faqr Hai Ne Doulat-e-Usmani Hai
Tum Ko Aslaaf Se Kya Nisbat-e-Rohani Hai?

Nor Usman’s treasure‐chest you own, Nor Ali’s empty bowl,
With spirits of such great forbears, What kinship has your soul?

Woh Zamane Mein Mu’azzaz The Musalman Ho Kar
Aur Tum Khawar Huwe Taarik-e-Quran Ho Kar

The honoured of their times, they lived, For theirs was true iman,

You live disgraced, as having left the paths of Al‐Quran.

Aqal Hai Teri Sipar, Ishq Hai Shamsheer Teri
Mere Darvaish! Khilafat Hai Jahangeer Teri

Your shield be wisdom, be your sword the flaming Love Divine,
My fond dervish! do you not know that all the world is yours?

Ma Siwa Allah Ke Liye Aag Hai Takbeer Teri
Tu Musalman Ho To Taqdeer Hai Tadbeer Teri

All else but God is at your feet, If sounds your Takbeer great;
If you a Muslim truly are, Your effort is your fate.

Ki Muhammed (S.A.W.) Se Wafa Tu Ne Tau Hum Tere Hain
Yeh Jahan Cheez Hai Kya, Loh-o-Qalam Tere Hain

To my Muhammad be but true, And you have conquered me;

The world is nothing you will command My Pen of Destiny.
 
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