Kabul Mein Likhe Gye
Written in Kabul
Musalman Ke Lahoo Mein Hai, Saliqa Dil Nawazi Ka
Marawwat Husn-E-Alamgeer Hai Mardan-E-Ghazi Ka
Muslims are born with a gift to charm, to persuade;
Brave men—they are endowed with a noble courtesy.
Shikayat Hai Mujhe Ya Rab! Khudawand-E-Maktab Se
Sabaq Shaheen Bachon Ko De Rahe Hain Khaakbazi Ka
Slaves of custom are all the schools of old;
They teach the eaglet to grovel in the dust.
Bohat Muddat Ke Nakhcheeron Ka Andaz-E-Nigah Badla
Ke Main Ne Faash Kar Dala Tareeqah Shahbazi Ka
These victims of the past have seen the dawn of hope,
When I revealed to them the eagle’s ways.
Qalander Juz Do Harf-E-LA ILAHA Kuch Bhi Nahin Rakhta
Faqeeh-E-Sheher Qaroon Hai Lighat-E-Ha’ay Hijazi Ka
The man of God knows but two words of faith;
The scholar has tomes of knowledge old and new.
Hadees-E-Badah-O-Meena-O-Jaam Ati Nahin Mujh Ko
Na Kar Khara Shighafon Se Taqaza Shisha Sazi Ka
About wine and women I know not how to write;
Ask not a stone‐breaker to work on glass.
Kahan Se Tu Ne Ae Iqbal Seekhi Hai Darveshi
Ke Charcha Padshahon Mein Hai, Teri Be-Niazi Ka
O Iqbal! From where did you learn to be such a dervish,
Even among the kings there is talk about your contentment!