Tariq’s Prayer: Iqbal’s poem from Bal-e-Jibril

Allama Muhammad Iqbal · Bal-e-Jibril

Background

Tariq bin Ziyad was the commander who crossed the Strait of Gibraltar in 711 and set foot in Andalusia (Spain)⁴. The poem’s subtitle is “On the Battlefield of Andalusia”. It is the prayer the poet has Tariq offer before battle². It is included in “Bal-e-Jibril” (1935)¹³.

The poem

On the Battlefield of Andalusia

These warriors of the faith, these mysterious servants of YoursWhom You have granted a taste for godliness

Deserts and rivers are split in two by their kickMountains shrink to mustard seeds before their awe

It makes the heart a stranger to both worldsStrange is the delight of knowing You

Martyrdom is the believer’s desire and goalNot the spoils of war, nor conquest of lands

The tulip has long waited in the garden pathIt needs a robe dyed in Arab blood

٭

You made the desert dwellers oneIn word, in vision, in the dawn call to prayer

The fire that life had sought for centuriesIt found in their hearts

They take it as the opening of the heart’s doorIn their eyes death is not destruction

Revive in the believer’s heartThat lightning which was in the cry of “La tadhar”

Awaken resolve in their breastsMake the Muslim’s gaze a sword

Difficult words

• Ghazi: one who fights in the way of Allah
• Pur asrar: full of mysteries
• Zauq-e-khudai: a longing for divine qualities, that is, high courage
• Do neem: in two pieces
• Haibat: awe
• Rai: mustard seed, something very small
• Lazzat-e-ashnai: the delight of closeness to Allah
• Matlub-o-maqsud: what is desired and what is the aim
• Maal-e-ghanimat: spoils won in war
• Kishwar kushai: conquering lands
• Khayaban: a garden path
• Qaba: robe, gown
• Sehra nasheen: those who live in the desert
• Yakta: unique
• Kushad-e-dar-e-dil: the opening of the heart’s door
• Halakat: destruction
• Nara-e-La tadhar: the prayer “La tadhar” (“leave none”) of Prophet Noah (peace be upon him), that is, a call against falsehood
• Azaim: intentions, resolves