| Jawab-e-Shikwa (The answer to the complaint) Words spoken from the heart never fail to have effect; Sacred and pure their origin, on lofty heights their sights are set. They have no wings and yet they have power to fly; They rise from the dust and pierce through the sky. So headstrong and insolent was my love, so much on mischief bent, So outspoken my plaint, it tore through the firmament. The aged vault of heaven heard. There is someone somewhere, said he. The planets spoke, Here on these ancient heights someone must be. Not here, said the moon, it must be someone from the earth below. Spoke the Milky Way, It must be someone hidden here we do not know. Only the gatekeeper of Eden did some of my plaint recognize And understood that I was the man thrown out of paradise. Even to the angels the voice came as a complete surprise; Nor was the mystery unveiled to other dwellers of the skies. (They wondered): Could celestial heights have become the aim of mans striving? Could this handful of dust have learnt the art of flying? These earth-dwellers, how little of manners do they know! How cheeky and insolent are these habitants of regions down below! He even rails against Allah, he has become so proud; Is he the same Adam before whom the angels bowed? He knows about things, their quantity and quality; Yes, these he knows, but nothing of the secret of humility. Their power of speech men always proudly flaunt, But of the way of the speaking they are quite ignorant. Spoke the Voice ... |
