قرب سلطان
English title: CLOSENESS TO KINGS
The distinction between the ruler and the ruled cannot disappear; the beggar cannot have the audacity of being equal to the king.
In the world adoration of the master is the climax of devotion: ‘Seek the pleasure of the master and have the beautiful tunic’.
But if you aim to have the good pleasure of the ruler; you will have the title of self-seeker and anti-national.
The old way has thousands of difficulties; in the new principle the lap is free of worries.
The real joy comes by passing one’s life like this: ‘Thousand words in the mouth and have silent lips’.
ہر چند کہ زبان پر ہزار ہا باتیں ہوں پھر بھی لب کشائی نہ کی جائے اور خاموشی اختیار کر لی جائے ۔
This principle alone is the mainstay of peaceful existence: ‘The recluse beggar you are, O Hafiza make no clamour’.
اے حافظ! تو دنیا ترک کر کے ایک گوشے میں پڑا ہے اس لیے تمہیں شور کرنے کی بجائے خاموش رہنا چاہئے ۔
But, if you are inclined to clamour let us begin: ‘Grasp holy wine, then drink it to the harp’s tune’.
اس کے لیے شراب خالص کا حصول ضروری ہے تا کہ اس سے راگ و رنگ کی محفل میں نوش جاں کیا جا سکے۔
Join the assemblies of the rich, the minister and the king; smash to pieces conscience’ goblet with greed’s stone.
However, listen to the message of the Saint of Shiraz also that this is the secret of the conscience seller’s closet.
‘Light of effulgence is the king’s brilliant opinion; if you want his closeness try to have clean intention’.
شاہوں کی رائے پر تجلّیوں کا نور برستا ہے، جب تو اس کے پاس بیٹھنے کا طلب گار ہو تو نیت صاف رکھنے کی کوشش کر ۔
Sources and translator credits
- Original text transcription: Bang-e-Dara — قرب سلطان — 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
- Reviewed exact Persian line-language classifications for the digital Urdu collectionsSource
- Bang-e-Dara English translation at allama-iqbal.com — Closeness To Kings — 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
- Bang-e-Dara: published Urdu field at allama-iqbal.com — Public poem data pinned to allama-iqbal.com repository commit 82547635bb6b758c45082084b2f152fc453a8056; source path allama-iqbal-com-content/bang-e-dara/3a/31.json.Translation by Not separately identified; The published Urdu field does not separately identify its translator. No English translator credit is reused.Source
- Bang-e-Dara: published Urdu rendering at Iqbal Rahber — Public published source page; pinned snapshot rahber-mixed-qurb-sultan-poem.txt.Translation by Not separately identified; Published Urdu rendering from Iqbal Rahber; no translator is separately identified.Source
