God Answers
(Iqbal’s Jawab-e-Shikwa penned in 1913)
Part - 1


The prayer that comes from core of heart has an effect,
It has no wings, but has the potential to ascend,
It is celestial in nature and is destined for exaltation,
It rises from the earth and has access to the heaven,
My love was revolting, struggling and wise,
My daring lamentation ripped through the skies,.


Hearing my voice, the old firmament said, “Someone is there”,
The planets opined, “Someone is there near the empyrean throne”,
The moon said, “No, it is someone from the earth”,
The galaxy said, “Someone is hidden somewhere here itself”,
If someone understood a bit of my words, it was the janitor of paradise,
He recognized me as the man expelled from the paradise.


Angels were amazed what the voice was!
Even to angels serving the empyrean mystery was not unfolding,
Does man’s jurisdiction include the celestial world too?
Has the pinch of dust developed the art of soaring?
How unmindful to compliments these inhabitants of earth are!
How daring and rude these inhabitants of the lowland are!


So rude that he is annoyed even with God!
Is he the same Adam to whom angels had bowed?
He is master of reasoning and knower of secrets of matter,
But ignorant of the mystery of submission to God,
Men are proud of their power of speech!
The ignorant do not know manners of speech!