| Iqbal Spirituality and Sufism |
| This Website has been created & maintained by Seema Arif |
| Contemporary World at Glance |
| Inspired by "Zammana" Bal-i-Jabril Seema Arif |
 |
 |
| Introduction |
| Few days ago my esteemed teacher requested me to look for an English translation of few verses from Bal-i-Jibril ....Zamana, an invaluable piece of Iqbal, almost synonymous to Arabic "Al-Asr" meaning 'present era'. While reflecting upon current needs of human society globally, I have dared to translate "Zamana" as "Contemporary World at glance" The translation is not of words exactly but is an attempt to convey the spirit, the essential meaning it holds for the world we are living in.... |
| The past cannot be lived in present
And the future has yet to come Hearing the steps, present will hide its face To save its lost grace Now what "is" shall no more "be" in future My lips don't lie; my tongue doesn't err Painful yet is the reality, unfolding the mystery The times wait in excited anticipation As incidents are spilling out of the treasury Slowly one by one, linking each other into history Counting pearls and turning night into day is one playful drudgery Acquainted well with all; yet maintaining a unique relationship Sometimes the part of a whole, somewhere whole to the part; Still making others tear apart is a pure art. Repent or regret; everything is a reward or a threat...! Either enjoy or destroy; yours is the choice of company Favors are not to share with the fearsome lonely Faulty is thy speculation, O' astrologer! Wasted it shall be; all will be white lies; To see one needs "vision" not eyes. It is not mirth of evening reflecting pink in the skies It's the sun bleeding in the west, injured, receding in agony, Heed thy ears to listen its cry. Don't deem it dead; it's just the time for sunset. Wait for the morning; look for the silver lining close by. All murmuring lips will be hushed in silence Tongues swallowing the gossip, keen to breathe and become alive. O' unruly intellect daring to play with the divine law Thou may get wonderstruck in awe Nature knows to backfire; save thy safest abode. |
| Continued....... |
| Go to Next page |