مسلم
English title: Muslim
O Iqbal! Every breath of yours is veiled in sighs; your burning breast is filled with complaint.
The song of hope does not exist in the harp of your heart; we think this Lailah does not exist in your camel-litter.
Your ear is the seeker of the sound of bygone lyre and your heart is unconcerned with today’s affairs.
Your garden companions do not listen to the tale of roses; the assembly’s people do not listen to your old message.
O bell of the sleeping caravan! Be quiet your call is very frustrating! Be quiet.
That old assembly cannot be brought back to life. The yesternight cannot be illuminated with candle.
O Companion! I am a Muslim, I am the harbinger of Tawhid; since eternity I am the sincere testifier of this Truth.
The warmth in the pulse of the universe is from this and the courage in the Muslim’s thought is from this.
God created the universe for this Truth and created me for its guardianship.
I became the destroyer of false worship in the world; the truth is that I became the protector of Existence’ honour.
My life is the cover for the world’s nakedness; my destruction is the disgrace of the human race.
The Muslim is the shining star of the universe’s destiny; the spell of the morning by whose brilliance is shy.
The secrets of life are open to my eyes; I cannot be considered lacking hope in the battle of life.
How can the transient scene of grief frighten me! Confidence in destiny of my Millat strengthens me.
My world is free of the component of despair; the zeal for battle gives the news of complete victory.
Yes, it is true I keep my eye on the old times; I relate the old story to the assembly’s audience.
Memory of the past age is the elixir for my life; my past is the interpretation of my future.
I keep that pleasurable period before me; I see the tomorrow in the mirror of today.
Sources and translator credits
- Original text transcription: Bang-e-Dara — مسلم — 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 — The Muslim — 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