The One I Was Searching For On the Earth and in Heaven (With English Translation)
Urdu Couplets with Translation
jinhe.n mai.n Dhuu.NDhataa thaa aasmaano.n me.n zamiino.n me.n
vo nikale mere zulmat-e-Khaanaa-e-dil ke makiino.n me.n
The one I was searching for on the earth and in heaven
Appeared residing in the recesses of my own heart
mahiine vasl ke gha.Diyo.n kii suurat u.Date jaate hai.n
magar gha.Diyaa.N judaa-ii kii guzaratii hai mahino.n me.n
The months of the union continue flying like moments
But the moments of separation linger for months!
mujhe rokegaa tuu ai naaKhudaa kyaa garq hone se
ki jin ko Duubanaa hai Duub jaate hai.n safiino.n me.n
O seaman, how will you protect me from being drowned
As those destined to drowning get drowned in the boats also
jalaa sakatii hai sham-e-kushtaa ko mauj-e-nafas un kii
ilaahii kyaa chhupaa hotaa hai ahal-e-dil ke siino.n me.n
The breath of Lovers can light up the extinguished candle
O God! What is kept concealed in the breast of the Lovers?
tamannaa dard-e-dil kii ho to kar Khidamat faqiiro.n kii
nahii.n milataa ye gauhar baadashaaho.n ke Khaziino.n me.n
Serve the fakirs if you have the longing for Love
This pearl is not available in the treasures of kings
muhabbat ke liye dil Dhuu.NDh ko-ii TuuTanevaalaa
ye vo mai hai jise rakhate hai.n naazuk aab-giino.n me.n
For Love search for some heart which would become mortified
This is the wine which is not kept in delicate wine glasses
buraa samajhuu.N unhe.n mujh se to aisaa ho nahii.n sakataa
ki mai.n Khud bhii to huu.N "Iqbal" apane nuktaachiino.n me.n
It is not possible for me to deem my critics bad
Because Iqbal, I am myself among my critics
English Translation of the complete Ghazal
The one I was searching for on the earth and in heaven
Appeared residing in the recesses of my own heart
When the reality of the self became evident to my eyes
The house appeared among residents of my own heart
If it were somewhat familiar with taste of rubbing foreheads 2
The stone of Ka‘bah’s threshold would have joined the foreheads
O Majnun! Have you ever glanced at yourself
That like Lailah you are also sitting in the litter
The months of the union continue flying like moments
But the moments of separation linger for months!
The one who concealed His Beauty from Kalam Allah
The same Beloved is manifest among beloveds
Do not ask of these Devotees, if you have faith, you should look at them
They have the illuminated palm up their sleeves
O seaman, how will you protect me from being drowned
As those destined to drowning get drowned in the boats also
The unsightful eye for whose spectacle is tantalized
That elegance of congregation is in these very recluses
Burn the produce of your heart with some such spark
That the Last Day’s sun may also be among your gleaners
The Beauty itself becomes the Lover of whose Beauty
O Heart! Does someone among the beautiful has that beauty?
The breath of Lovers can light up the extinguished candle
O God! What is kept concealed in the breast of the Lovers?
Someone became highly excited at your grace of Ma‘arafna
Your rank remained among the most elegant of all the Lovers
Serve the fakirs if you have the longing for Love
This pearl is not available in the treasures of kings
For Love search for some heart which would become mortified
This is the wine which is not kept in delicate wine glasses
Manifest Thyself and show them Thy Beauty some time
Talks have continued among the sagacious since long time
Silent, O Heart! Crying in the full assembly is not good
Decorum is the most important etiquette among the ways of Love
It is not possible for me to deem my critics bad
Because Iqbal, I am myself among my critics
This ghazal is very highly mystical and difficult to understand . However , the explanatory notes will , hopefully , help in understanding it.Explanatory Notes1. The word "house" represents the abode of God which exists in the heart of the one who loves God.2. The pleasure of earnest beseeching before God in prostration is so great that if the stone of the threshold of the Ka’bah was aware of that pleasure it would have preferred to be the forehead itself, and participate in such a prostration than be merely the stone towards which such prostrations are performed.3. If the Lover realizes his own self, i.e. develops his own Khudi or self, the difference between the Lover and the Beloved would disappear. 4. God exists everywhere if His Lover has developed his insight enough to see Him.5. The power of God is Supreme.6. This and the following verse describe the unlimited power of the Lover of God.7. The sun of the Last Day is proverbial for its torturing heat. However, the power of the true Love of God is such that even that sun will come down to collect flowers from the Lover’s heap.8. The universal Beauty of God itself becomes the Lover of a true Lover of God.