SELECTIONS FROM BANG-E-DARA BY IQBAL

COUPLET 1

ہے اس کی طبیعت میں تشیع بھی ذرا سا « تفضیل علی ہم نے سنی اس کی زبانی Hai Uski Tabeeyat Main Tashiyo Bhi Zara Sa, Tafzeel e-Ali Ham Nay suni Uski Zabani

Allama Iqbal in this poem has given his own connotation through the lips of a molvi. Allama Iqbal holds Hazrat Ali (a.s.) as superior to all other companions of the Holy Prophet; therefore, he says that Iqbal in his faith about Hazrat Ali (a.s.) resembles with a shia who hold Hazrat Ali (a.s.) superior to all except the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.). They believe that after the demise of the Holy Prophet, Hazrat Ali was the fittest person for vicegerency after the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) to the Caliph and heir of the Prophet (s.a.w.) only. They take him as 1st Iman after the Prophet.

COUPLET 2

تری خاک میں ہے اگر شرر تو خیال فقر و غنا نہ کر ” کہ جہاں میں نان شعیر پر ہے مدار قوت حیدری * Teri Khak Main Hay Agar Sharer to Khiale Faqroo Ghina Na Kar, Kijahan Main Nane-Shaeer Par Hai Madare Quwwate Haydari

According to Allama Iqbal the flame of love for the truth makes a man perfect. Poverty and richness are not the factors to be taken into consideration for achieving greatness. Hazrat Ali (a.s.) the hero of Islam in all respects, the bravest of the soldiers of the world whose fighting strength and valour in the battle fieid is proverbial used to content himself with a loaf of barely the most ordinary and cheapest of the cereals. What elevates a man to the lofty position is the true faith though his material life be the poorest of all.

COUPLET 3

نہ ستیزہ گاہ جہاں نئی نہ حریف پنجہ فگن نئے * وہی فطرت اسداللهی وہی مرحبی وہی عنتری Na Satizagahi Jahan Nai Na Hareefe Punja Figan Naiy, Wohi Fitrate Asadullahi Wohi Marhabi Wohi Untari

In this couplet, Iqbal says that the nature of man is not
changed. Since the birth of man on earth evil forces have been coutinuously arraying themselves against the forces of truth. The true believers like Hazrat Ali (a.s.) have been busy in defeating the hordes of evils.

COUPLET 4

مٹایا قیصر و کسری کے استبداد کو جس نے * وہ کیا تھا زور حیدر فقر بوذر صدق سلمانی

Mitaya Qaisaro Kisra Key Istabdad Ko jis Nay, Woh Keya Tha Zore Hyder Faqre Boozer Sidque Salman

In pre-Islamic age Rome and Persia were great kingdoms. The aristocratic heads of these States ruled over their subjects with great despotism and the poor subjects were unable to raise any voice against their oppression. The preachings of Islam emboldened the devotees and the power which annihilated the force of the above imperialism of Rome and Persia was the product of the strong character of these three companions of the Prophet (s.a.w.), namely the valour of Hazrat Ali (a.s.), the simple life of Hazrat Abu Zar and the true speaking of Hazrat Salman Farsi who was the true devotee of God and staunch Muslim.