ايک حاجي مدينے کے راستے ميں
English title: A PILGRIM ON HIS WAY TO MADINAH
The caravan has been robbed in wilderness and the destination is far; the coast of this desolation that is this dry ocean is far.
My fellow travelers became victims of the robbers’ dagger; the remaining ones turned back to Makkah in frustration.
How willingly this young man from Bukhara gave his life! In the poison of death he has found the taste of life!
The robber’s dagger was the Eid’s crescent to him. ‘Ah Yathrib’ was within heart, Tawhid’s slogan was on the lips.
Fear says, ‘Do not travel alone towards Yathrib’; Longing says, ‘You are a Muslim, travel fearlessly’.
Would I return to Makkah without paying homage? Would I not appear confidently before Lovers on the Judgment Day?
The traveler through Hijaz’ wilderness has no fear for life; this secret is hidden in the emigration of the Holy Prophet.
Thought safety is in the companionship of the Syrian litter.* Pleasure of Love is in the heart-breaking affliction of danger.
Ah! How clever this timid Intellect is! And the brave man’s feeling how fearless is!
Sources and translator credits
- Original text transcription: Bang-e-Dara — ايک حاجي مدينے کے راستے ميں — Digital transcription file at commit 39d44fc0c2b8ca25769c4b36e6eac4d90cb42b35; the source dataset does not identify the underlying print edition.Verified against this pinned digital transcription file; not checked against a print edition.Source
- Iqbal Demystified source list: Bang-e-Dara — Pinned digital dataset commit 39d44fc0c2b8ca25769c4b36e6eac4d90cb42b35; the underlying print edition is not identified by the dataset.Community dataset list; not reconciled against a print edition.Source
- Bang-e-Dara English translation at allama-iqbal.com — A Pilgrim On His Way To Madinah — Public digital poem page, retrieved 2026-10-05; pinned to allama-iqbal.com commit 82547635bb6b758c45082084b2f152fc453a8056.Translation by Dr M.A.K. Khalil; English Translation by: Dr M.A.K. KhalilSource