ADEEL ZAIDI'S NAZM
TRANSLATION: PROFESSOR ANISUR RAHMAN
Dukaandaar
The Shopkeeper
These are the brokers of faith--
the inhabitants of god’s abode.
They want their names marked
at each of his abode;
they want to take control
of all their affairs
in return for his name.
Every one of them calls--
“Buy my god, buy my god”.
But if you don’t
these professional brokers
would warn you:
“We’ll wreak our revenge now;
whatever our books command
we would follow that
and take control”.
Whatever are the forms of god
they have made only for themselves.
In each of their gods, gentlemen!
are all the qualities
they cherish.
At each shop there
is a new god showcased;
each shopkeeper
makes this plea alone:
“Listen to my god,
who only says--
‘Gentlemen! I am one,
only one’”.
*****
But now my God says:
“Listen to Me my men:
There is none else but Me.
Don’t ever listen to any of them--
I don’t own a home;
I live in your hearts alone--
each moment,
I breathe in you,
you alone.
Don’t deprive yourself of life;
Only you are my life,
If you shed your life
where shall I find a home then
I have no home, none!
Those who decorate their homes
and sell them in my name
are the prisoners of their selves;
shorn of conscience!”
SELECTIONS OF URDU POETRY FROM AROUND THE WORLD!
MORE AMAZING POETRY WILL BE ADDED SOON!
ENJOY ANOTHER RECITATION FROM BAZM-E-ADEEL ZAIDI
