Iqbal - “Shikwa”

Iqbal’s poem “Shikwa” was one of his most thrilling poems, which he recited personally in the month of April 1911 at the annual session of Anjuman Himayat-e-Islam held in the compound of Islamia College, Lahore. It was largely applauded and subsequently published in the magazines and journals of the country. This poem consists of 31 stanzas having six verses each. In the poem Iqbal has highlighted Islam’s living traditions in such a way that it strikes the very heart of a person. The carefully selected and well-knit words of the poem were immensely effective. They filled the hearts of a deprived nation with new life, courage and enthusiasm.

“Shikwa”

Kyon Zian-Kaar Banoon Sood-Faramosh Rahoon
Fikr-E-Farda Na Karoon Mahw-E-Gham-Dosh Rahoon
Naale Bulbul Ke Sunoon Aur Hama-Tan-Gosh Rahoon
Ham-Nawa Main Bhi Koi Gul Hoon Ke Khamosh Rahoon
Jurrat-Aamoz Meri Taab-E-Sukhan Hai Mujh Ko
Shikwa Allah Se Kham-Ba-Dahan Hai Mujh Ko

Hai Baja Shewa-E-Tasleem Mein Mashhoor Hain Hum
Qissa-E-Dard Sunaate Hain Ki Majboor Hain Hum
Saaz Khamosh Hain Faryaad Se Ma’moor Hain Hum
Naala Aata Hai Agar Lab Pe To Ma’zoor Hain Hum
Ai Khuda Shikwa-E-Arbaab-E-Wafa Bhi Sun Le
Khoo Gar-E-Hamd Se Thoda Sa Gila Bhi Sun Le

Thi To Maujood Azal Se Hi Teri Zaat-E-Qadeem
Phool Tha Zeb-E-Chaman Par Na Pareshaan Thi Shameem
Shart-E-Insaaf Hai Ai Sahib-E-Altaaf-E-Ameem
Boo-E-Gul Phailti Kis Tarah Jo Hoti Na Naseem
Hum Ko Jamaiyate Khatir Yeh Pareshani Thi
Warna Ummat Tere Mehboob Ki Deewani Thi

Hum Se Pahle Tha Ajab Tere Jahan Ka Manzar,
Kahin Masjood The Patthar, Kahin Maabood Shajar,
Khugar-E-Paikar-E-Mahsoos Thi Insaan Ki Nazar,
Maanta Phir Koi Un-Dekhe Khuda Ko Kyonkar
Tujh Ko Maaloom Hai Leta Tha Koi Naam Tera
Quwwat-E-Baazoo-E-Muslim Ne Kiya Kaam Tera

Bas Rahe The Yahin Saljuq Bhi, Toorani Bhi,
Ahl-E-Chin Cheen Mein, Iran Mein Sasaani Bhi,
Isi Maamoore Mein Aabad The Yunaani Bhi,
Isi Duniya Mein Yahudi Bhi The, Nusraani Bhi,
Par Tere Naam Pe Talwar Uthai Kis Ne,
Baat Joh Bigdi Huyi Thi Woh Banaayi Kis Ne

The Hameen Ek Tere Maarka Aaraaon Mein
Khushkion Mein Kabhi Ladte, Kabhi Dariyaon Mein,
Di Azaanen Kabhi Europe Ke Kaleesaaon Mein,
Kabhi Africa Ke Tapte Huye Sahraaon Mein.
Shan Aankhon Mein Na Jachti Thi Jahaan-Daaron Ki
Kalma Jab Padhte The Hum Chhaaon Mein Talwaaron Ki

Ham Jo Jeetey Thay To Jangon Ki Museebat Ke Liye
Aur Marte Thay Terey Naam Ki Azmat Ke Liye
Thi Na Kuch Tegh-Zani Apni Hukoomat Ke Liye
Sar Bakaf Phirte Thay Kya Dahar Men Daulat Ke Liye
Qaum Apni Jo Zaro-Maal-E- Jahan Par Marti
But Faroshi Ke Ewaz But Shikani Kiyun Karti

Tal Na Sakte The Agar Jang Mein Ad Jaate The
Paaon Sheron Ke Bhi Maidan Se Ukhad Jaate The
Tujh Se Sar-Kash Hua Koi To Bigad Jaate The
Tegh Kya Cheez Hai Hum Tope Se Lad Jaate The
Naqsh Tauheed Ka Har Dil Pe Bithaya Hum Ne,
Zer-E-Khanjar Bhi Yeh Paigham Sunaya Hum Ne.

Tu Hi Kah De Ke Ukhaada Dar-E-Khyber Kis Ne,
Shaher Qaiser Ka Jo Tha Us Ko Kiya Sar Kis Ne
Tode Makhluq Khudawandon Ke Paikar Kis Ne
Kaat Kar Rakh Diye Kaffaar Ke Lashkar Kis Ne
Kis Ne Thandha Kiya Aatish-Kada-E-Iran Ko
Kis Ne Phir Zinda Kiya Tazkira-E-Yazdaan Ko

Kaun Si Qaum Faqat Teri Talabgaar Hui
Aur Tere Liye Zahmat Kash Paikaar Hui
Kis Ki Shamsheer-E-Jahangir, Jahan-Dar Hui
Kis Ki Tatkbeer Se Duniya Teri Bedaar Hui
Kis Ki Haibat Se Sanam Sahme Hue Rahte The
Munh Ke Bal Gir Ke Hu-Allah-U-Ahad Kahte The

Aa Gaya Ain Ladaai Mein Agar Waqt-E-Namaz,
Qibla Roo Ho Ke Zamin Bos Hui Qaum-E-Hejaz,
Ek Hi Saf Mein Khade Ho Gaye Mahmud-O-Ayaz,
No Koi Banda Raha Aur No Koi Banda-Nawaz.
Banda-O-Saahib-O-Muhtaaj-O-Ghani Ek Huye,
Teri Sarkar Mein Pahunche Toh Sabhi Ek Huye.

Mahfil-E- Kaun-O-Makan Men Sahar-O- Sham Phiray
Ma-I Tauheed Ko Ley Kar Sifat-E- Jam Phiray
Koh Men, Dasht Men Ley Kar Tera Paighaam Phiray
Aur Maaloom Hay Tujh Ko Kabhi Nakaam Phiray
Dasht To Dasht Hain Darya Bhi Na Chorey Hum Ne
Bahr-E- Zulmaat Men Daudaa Diye Ghodey Hum Ne

Safah-E-Dahar Se Baatil Ko Mitaya Hum Ne,
Nau-E-Insaan Ko Ghulami Se Chhudaya Hum Ne,
Tere Kaabe Ko Jabeenon Se Basaya Hum Ne,
Tere Qur'an Ko Seenon Se Lagaya Hum Ne.
Phir Bhi Hum Se Yeh Gila Hai, Ke Wafadar Nahin,
Hum Wafadar Nahin, Tu Bhi Toh Dildar Nahin!

Ummatein Aur Bhi Hain Un Mein Gunahgaar Bhi Hain
Ajz Waale Bhi Hain Mast Mai Pindar Bhi Hain
Un Mein Kaahi Bhi Hain Ghafil Bhi Hain Hushiyaar Bhi Hain
Saikadon Hain Ki Tere Naam Se Be-Zaar Bhi Hain
Rahmaten Hain Teri Aghiyar Ke Kashaanon Par,
Barq Girti Hai Toh Bechare Musalmaanon Par!

But Sanam-Khanon Mein Kahte Hain, Musalmaan Gaye
Hai Khushi Un Ko Kika’be Ke Nigehbaan Gaye
Manzil-E-Dahr Se Unton Ke Hadi Khwan Gaye
Apni Baghlon Mein Dabaaye Hue Quraan Gaye
Khanda-Zan Kufr Hai, Ehsaas Tujhe Hai Ki Nahin
Apni Tauheed Ka Kuchh Paas Tujhe Hai Ki Nahin

Ye Shikaayat Naheen Hain Unke Khazaane Maamoor
Naheen Mahfil Men Jinhen Baat Bhi Karne Ka Shaoor
Qahr To Ye Hai Ke Kaafir Ko Milen Hoor-O-Qasoor
Aur Becharey Musalman Ko Faqat Waada-E- Hoor
Ab Wo Altaaf Naheen, Ham Pe Inaayaat Naheen
Baat Ye Kya Hai Ke, Pheli Si Madaraat Naheen

Kyon Musalmaan Mein Hai Daulat-E-Duniya Naayaab
Teri Qudrat To Hai Woh Jis Kin A Hadd Hai Na Hisaab
Tu Jo Chaahe To Uthe Seena-E-Sehra Se Habaab
Rahr-O-Dasht Ho Seeli Zada-E-Mauj-E-Sraab
Taan-E-Aghiyaar Hai, Ruswai Hai, Nadaari Hai,
Kya Tere Naam Pe Marne Ka Iwaz Khwari Hai

Bani Aghyar Ki Ab Chaahne Waali Dunya
Rah Gai Apne Liye Ek Khayaali Dunya
Ham To Rukhsat Hue Auron Ne Sanbhaali Dunya
Phir Na Kahna Hui Tauheed Se Khaali Dunya
Ham To Jeetey Hain Ke Dunya Men Tera Naam Rahe
Kaheen Mumkin Hai Ke Saaqi Na Rahe Jaam Rahe

Teri Mehfil Bhi Gayi, Chahne Wale Bhi Gaye,
Shab Ki Aahen Bhi Gayi, Subah Ke Nale Bhi Gaye,
Dil Tujhe De Bhi Gaye, Apna Sila Le Bhi Gaye,
Aa Ke Baithe Bhi Na The, Ke Nikaale Bhi Gaye.
Aaye Ashaaq, Gaye Waada-E-Farda Lekar,
Ab Unhen Dhoond Chirag-E-Rukh-E-Zeba Lekar!

Dard-E-Laila Bhi Wohi, Qais Ka Pahlu Bhi Wohi,
Nejd Ke Dasht-O-Jabal Mein Ram-E-Aahoo Bhi Wohi,
Ishq Ka Dil Bhi Wohi, Husn Ka Jaadoo Bhi Wohi,
Ummat-E-Ahmed-E-Mursil Bhi Wohi, Tu Bhi Wohi,
Phir Yeh Aazurdagi-E-Ghair-Sabab Kya Maani,
Apne Shaidaaon Pe Yeh Chashm-E-Ghazab Kya Maani

Tujh Ko Chhora Ke Rasool-E-Arabi Ko Chhora
But-Gari Pesha Kiya, But-Shikani Ko Chhora
Ishq Ko Ishq Ki Aashufta-Sari Ko Chhora
Ram-E-Slmaan-O-Owais Qarani Ko Chhora
Aag Takbeer Ki Seenon Mein Dabi Rakhte Hain
Zindagi Misl-E-Bilal-E-Habashi Rakhte Hain

Ishq Ki Khair Wo Pehli Si Adaa Bhi Na Sahi
Jaada Paimai Tasleemo Razaa Bhi Na Sahi
Muztarib Dil Sifat Qibla-Numa Bhi Na Sahi
Aur Paabandiye Aaeen-E- Wafa Bhi Na Sahi
Kabhi Ham Se Kabhi Ghairon Se Shanasaai Hai
Baat Kahney Ki Naheen Too Bhi To Harjaai Hai

Sar-E-Faaraan Pe Kiya Deen Ko Kaamil Too Ne
Ek Isharey Pe Hazaaron Ke Liye Dil Too Ne
Aathish Andoz Kiya Ishq Ka Haasil Too Ne
Phoonk Di Garmiy-E-Rukhsaar Se Mahfil Too Ne
Aaj Kiyun Seene Hamare Sharar Aabaad Naheen
Ham Wohi Sokhta Saamaan Hain Tujhey Yaad Naheen

Waadiy-E-Najd Men Wo Shor-E- Salaasil Na Raha,
Qais Deewana-E- Nazzarai Mehmil Na Raha
Hausley Wo Na Rahey Ham Na Rahey Dil Na Raha
Ghar Ye Ujra Hai Ke Too Raunaq-E- Mahfil Na Raha
Aye Khush Aan Rooz Ke Aayee Wa Basad Naaz Aayee
Be-Hijabana Su-E- Mahfil-E- Maa Baaz Aayee

Boo-E- Gul Le Gai Bairoon-E- Chaman Raaz-E- Chaman
Kya Qayaamat Hai Ke Khud Phool Hain Ghammaz-E- Chaman
Ahd-E- Gul Khatm Hua Toot Gaya Saaz-E- Chaman
Ud Gai Daaliyon Se Zamzama Parwaaz-E- Chaman
Ek Bulbul Hai Ke Hai Mahv-E- Tarannum Ab Tak
Uske Seene Men Hai Naghmon Ka Talaatum Ab Tak

Qumrian Shaakh-E-Sanober Se Gurezaan Bhi Hui,
Pattian Phool Ki Jhad Jhad Ke Pareshan Bhi Hui;
Woh Purani Ravishen Bagh Ki Veeran Bhi Hui,
Daalian Parahan-E-Barg Se Uriaan Bhi Hui.
Qaid-E-Mausim Se Tabiyat Rahi Aazad Uski,
Kaash Gulshan Mein Samjhta Koi Faryaad Uski.

Lutf Marne Men Hai Baaqi Na Maza Jeene Men
Kuch Mazaa Hai To Yehi Khoon-E- Jigar Peene Men
Kitne Betaab Hain Johar Mere Aaeene Men
Kis Qadar Jalwe Tadapte Hain Mere Seene Men
Is Gulistaan Men Magar Dekhne Wale Hi Naheen
Daagh Jo Seene Men Rakhte Hain Wo Laale Hi Naheen

Mushkilen Ummat-E- Marhoom Ki Aasaan Kar De
Moor-E- Be-Maya Ko Hamdosh-E- Sulaimaan Kar De
Jins-E-Naayaab-E- Mohabbat Ko Phir Arzaan Kar De
Hind Ke Dair-Nasheenon Ko Musalmaan Kar De
Joo-E- Khoon Mee Chakad Az Hasrat-E- Derina-E- Maa
Mee Tapad Naala-Ba-Nashtar Kada-E- Seena-E- Maa

Chaak Is Bulbul-E-Tanha Ki Nawa Se Dil Hon,
Jaagne Wale Isi Baang-E-Dara Se Dil Hon.
Yaani Phir Zinda Naye Ahd-E-Wafa Se Dil Hon,
Phir Isi Bada-E-Deereena Ke Pyaase Dil Hon.
Ajmi Khum Hai Toh Kya, Ma'y Toh Hejaazi Hai Meri,
Naghma Hindi Hai Toh Kya, La'y Toh Hejaazi Hai Meri.


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