God Answers 
(Iqbal’s Jawab-e-Shikwa penned in 1913)
Part - 5


There is tumult that Muslims have become extinct from the world,
We say that Muslims were nowhere present;
You resemble the Christians in fashion and the Hindus in culture,
These Muslims---- seeing whom the Jews feel repentant;
Casually speaking, you are also Syyids, also Mirzas and also Afghans,
Supposing you are everything, but whether you are also Musalmans.


Power of speech of a Muslim originated from fearless truth,
His justice was strong, free from contamination of consideration;
By nature a Muslim was supposed to be modest,
In bravery his existence was beyond perception;
Muslims dissolved their ego for My sake,
They sacrificed all their belongings for My sake.


Every Muslim was an enemy of evil,
Every act of his existence was meaningful,
Whatever faith he had, he had in his strength,
You fear death, he feared Allah the most powerful,
If the son does not retain father’s legacy of knowledge,
He cannot ably keep father’s legacy of pledge.


Everyone is lost in the taste of indolence,
You are Muslims! It is the Islamic way of life!
Neither you have Ali’s piety nor wealth of Othman,
You have no spiritual relation with your ancestor’s life,
Being Muslims in their times, they were honourable,
And you forsook Quraan and became miserable.