ز ہد اور رندي

I am only relating to you the story of a maulavi; I have no intention of showing my smartness.

His pious nature was widely known; all the high and low respected him.

He used to say that Shari‘ah was veiled in tassawuf; as meanings were veiled within words.

His heart's flask was filled to the brim with piety's wine. He also had lees of the thought of pantology at the bottom.

He often used to describe his supernatural powers. He always intended increase of his disciples' numbers.

He had been living in my neighborhood since long; the ascetic and the rind were mutual friends since long.

The dignitary asked a friend of mine one day: ‘Iqbal who is a dignitary in the field of literature.

How is he in the obedience to the rules of Shari‘ah? Though in poetry he is envy of the Kalim of Hamadan.*

I hear he does not consider the Hindu a non-believer; he has such beliefs as a result of philosophy.

He has accepted a little bit of Shiaism also; I have heard the greatness of Ali (R.A.) from him.

He considers music as part of adoration. He aims at making a mockery of religion.

He does not feel shy with amorous people; this is a very old habit of our poets.

He has music at night, Qur’an's recitation in the morning; this secret is not yet fully understood by me.

But the information obtained from my disciples is that spotless like the dawn's whiteness his youth is.

He is not Iqbal but a strange mixture of opposites he is; treasure of wisdom is his heart, but enigmatic his temper is.

This appeared obviously contrary to the Shari‘ah and was considered heretic by the ulama of the time, including Junaid Baghdadi, who passed the edict of death against him. He was imprisoned for about a year by the Khalifah pending his final judgment, which was ultimately given against him. He was hanged, his body was burnt and the ashes were blown into the air. Mansoor recited The Holy Qur’an 42: 18 (part), which says, ‘only those wish to hasten it (the Hour) who believe not in it: those who believe hold it in awe, and know that it is the Truth’. The cry of Mansoor has made him perhaps the most controversial figure in the spiritual history of Islam. The Sufis are divided about the justice of the edict, but the ulama are unanimous in their opinion on its correctness and justice. Allamah Iqbal also was against Mansoor… however, more study, contemplation and meditation convinced him about the correctness of Mansoor, and he has praised his sincere and ardent Love for God.)

I am unable to understand his reality; founder of another kind of Islam he appears to be.’

In short he prolonged his sermon very much; he long continued this wonderful speech.

Everyone soon hears all happenings in this city; I myself heard it through my friends in the city.

One day as the respected ascetic met me in the street. The old story restarted during the talk in the street.

He said: ‘That accusation was due to my affection. It was my duty to show you the path of the Shari‘ah’.

I said: ‘I have no intention of any complaint at all. It was your right due to being my neighbour.

I bow my head respectfully before you; my youth is accustomed to respect for the old.

If you do not know the reality about me; it does not show any lack of pantology.

I myself do not know my reality; very deep is the sea of my thoughts.

Since long I am also longing to see Iqbal; for long I have shed tears in his separation.

Iqbal also is not acquainted with Iqbal; there is no joke in it, by God he is not.